Fire tankers should be able to access all parts of your property where possible.
For good tanker access to buildings and key assets, maintain a turning circle with a minimum radius of 10 metres. Or, have a T or Y turning area with each leg of the turning area at least 8 metres long as measured from the centre of the T or Y.
Access tracks
Access tracks should be:
- Free of overhanging trees and shrubs to a height of 4 metres
- At least 7 metres wide to allow two tankers to pass, or be 4 metres wide and have passing bays every 200 m that are 6 metres wide and 20 metres long
- Capable of a load limit of at least 15 tonnes
- Aligned to provide straight through access at junctions
- Sign posted if visibility is poor due to terrain or vegetation
and
- Have an average slope of no more than 1 in 7 (8.1 degrees) with a maximum grade of no more than 1 in 5 (11.3 degrees) for no more than 50 metres
- Have dips not more than 1 in 8 (7.1 degrees) entry and exit angles
Dead ends should be avoided where practical. If they are necessary, provide signs and a turnaround point.
Reducing adjacent fuel loads can increase the benefits and safety of access tracks. Consider the opportunity for access tracks to double as fuel breaks.
Gates
Need to be at least 3 metres wide for tankers to fit through. Mark gates with a pole so that they are clearly visible. Consider providing a gate into fenced-off areas of vegetation for firefighting access and general management.
Crossings
Bridges, culverts and creek crossings need a load-bearing capacity of at least 15 tonnes where tanker fire suppression services are required.
Raised beds
Are difficult for firefighting tankers to travel safely across. Have a perimeter access track or non-raised-bed section (headland) around the perimeter of raised-bed paddocks. This should generally be at least 7 metres wide and free of overhanging trees to a height of 4 metres to allow tanker access.
Plantations
Each point within the plantation should be no more than 300 metres from an access track, perimeter break or open paddock. Wherever possible, plantation estates should be divided into blocks (no greater than 400 hectares) by access tracks similar to perimeter breaks.
Woodlots, windbreaks (shelterbelts) and farm forestry
Good access around and within planted timber areas provides benefits for fire protection and access for general management and harvesting activities. Consider having access breaks, at least 4 metres wide and free of overhanging trees to a height of 4 metres, across long blocks of farm forestry, windbreaks or woodlots.
