South Australia is a region of the country that is particularly prone to bushfires, and as a long hot summer approaches the risk will, unfortunately, only increase. However, there are steps that you can take that will help to protect your home in the event of a bushfire.
Roller window shutters can provide a valuable line of defence against the dangers of fire. In extreme heat, windows will frequently crack or explode, meaning the glass will fall out of the frame, and so flying sparks and burning embers can enter your home through the now-unprotected space. However, bushfire resistant shutters have been shown to be able to withstand extreme radiant heat and so prevent your window glass from breaking, thus providing a stronger barrier against encroaching fire. In addition, aluminium window shutters have a baked enamel paint finish and are injected with polyurethane foam, which means they are also resistant to flames, so as well as protecting your glass they can protect the fabric and structure of your home and form an additional line of defence.
Leading Australian manufacturers, such as OZRoll, have now produced a range of extruded aluminium roller window shutters that have been designed specifically for areas that are prone to bushfire risk. In November 2010, the OZRoll AE401 range of shutters was tested by Australia’s CSIRO and was shown to be able to withstand the impact of a simulated extreme bushfire attack. The shutters were subjected to a maximum radiant heat exposure of 40kw/m2 and after an hour’s rigorous testing, there was no ignition or flaming and the shutters retained their integrity and remained operable. These shutters passed the CSIRO test at the level of BAL40 (Bushfire Attack Level 40), meaning that they are capable of withstanding a severe bushfire attack.
A further advantage of installing roller shutters in your home if you live in a bushfire-prone region is that remote controlled shutters that operate on solar power are also available. Therefore, even if mains power is cut during a bushfire the shutters can still be closed in order to protect your property from burning debris. Solar power shutters are operated by a solar tubular motor which is powered by small, lightweight solar cells that can be attached to the window shutter pelmet, on a nearby wall, or on the roof of your home. They are unobtrusive and compact in size, and the stand-alone system can be installed quickly and easily.
Therefore, if you are living in an area of South Australia that is particularly at risk of bushfires, you will want to consider taking every precaution that you can to ensure that your home is protected during the volatile bushfire season. For this reason, you should consider installing Australian-made and -designed roller shutters for your windows and doors as an extra layer of defence against the destructive power of fire. Window shutters north east