Australia wide delivery

Welcome to Allied Sheds

Customer Service: 1300 910 353

Allied Sheds Blog

How to ensure your farm shed is protected from bushfires

Is your shed safe when it comes to the threat of a bushfire?

When it comes to purchasing a new shed for your workplace or farm, an essential prerequisite to tick off your checklist is whether the structure is bushfire-proof.

While the threat of a bushfire might sound like a low-risk possibility that won’t affect your new shed, the reality is that bushfires are a common occurrence in Australia and the threat of a bushfire attack on your property is a real one.

In fact, bushfires have been part of our country’s environment since before human settlement of the continent.

While your property might not be near exposed natural vegetation which would suggest that you need to ensure it’s protected in the event of a bushfire, keep in mind that bushfires might not only be the result of a natural disaster and can also be caused by a lightning strike, campfire, agricultural burning or can even be deliberately lit.

How do I ensure that my farm shed is protected from bushfires?

The best way to ensure that your new structure is protected in the event of a bushfire is by purchasing a reliable product from Allied Sheds.

Allied sheds are made of high quality structural steel which will not burn. The outside sheeting of our steel sheds are made out colorbond or zincalume – both of which are not flammable.

There are further steps you can take to help keep your shed and its surrounds safe during bushfire season. These include:

  • Build a buffer
    While the components of your brand new shed are not flammable, you don’t want to run the risk of your house catching fire due to wandering embers from direct contact with flames or heat from the steel structure. To minimise this risk, ensure that your shed is erected at least 20 meters away from your house or structure.  Keep in mind that while your shed is safe from catching on fire, the contents it’s storing aren’t necessarily safe. In the event of a fire, when the steel is exposed to flames it will heat up and could ignite any flammable materials stored inside the shed.
  • Prepare by pruning your property
    Have you noticed a build-up of leaves in the gutters surrounding your home or shed? Dried out leaves pose a big risk during a fire, so take every precaution and make sure you give your gutters a big spring clean at least once a year, preferably before the fire season starts.  It’s also a good idea to either install leaf guards on your gutters which will help to keep the on-going maintenance to a minimum.

    One of the reasons why a built-up gutter is so dangerous to your assets is because of the threat if embers from a fire are within reach.

    Did you know that embers are the most common cause of home damage from bushfire attacks? Burning embers fall into gaps and cracks between parts of a building, igniting whatever it touches. They usually enter under eaves, air vents or roof cavities and can sit almost dormant for hours until they produce enough heat to start a fire.
  • Declutter flammable materials during the warmer months
    It may seem like common sense, but don’t take this seemingly simple tip for granted! Many sheds store flammable materials such as wood, hay and chemicals and it’s absolutely vital that you declutter any unused products during the warmer months. While you may have bought the shed to store these items, keep in mind that it can cause a potential risk during bushfire season.

These are just a few of the tips to help you be fire season ready with your new asset.

Our experts highly recommend that you get in touch with your local council for further fire tips and precautions to ensure the best protection possible for your shed and other assets.

Keen to know more about the many steel kit sheds we have on offer?

Request a detailed custom shed plan to have one of our shed experts explore your options with you. Simply call our Customer Service team on 1300 910 353.

Request A Detailed Custom Shed Plan from Allied Sheds

Request A Detailed Plan from Allied Sheds