Farmers and landowners should have water supplies for emergency services to access during fires.
Water supplies could be from a dam, tank, mains water system, helicopter, or private water tanker and should:
- Be independent of mains power supply
- Be obvious to or known to CFA or other agencies (through signs or property plans)
- Be located in an open and clear flat area with a hardstanding area that allows a fire suppression pump to be within 4 m of the water supply
- Be available even when water levels are low during summer months
- Have a turning circle loop or turn-around point
CFA fittings for tanks
Tanks should have couplings or adaptors that fit both farm firefighting equipment and CFA trucks.
CFA trucks use a special fitting to connect to tanks. There needs to be at least one 64 mm, 3 thread / 25 mm x 50 British Standard Pipe round male coupling (CFA Male End, Pt. No. SE.03.074).
Consider using a 'tee' to allow the CFA fitting on one side of the branch and personal firefighting fittings on the other side of the pipe, as shown below.
Download the technical descriptions for the CFA fittings - txt 1k
Defending buildings and water supply
If you plan to stay and defend your house or other buildings as part of your fire survival plan, you should have a water supply of at least 10,000 litres available. This supply is in addition to water available for fire suppression on remote parts of your property.
The 10,000 litres should be independent of the reticulated water supply and mains power supply; for example a dam, tank or pool.
Water supply pipes should be flame-resistant and heat-resistant, and couplings or adaptors on tanks should match specifications for the filling of CFA tankers. Regularly maintain and check pumps and sprinklers as part of your annual routine ahead of the fire season.
Replacement of essential water supplies taken for firefighting
CFA and DSE crews have a legislated right to take water supplies (including drinking water) for fire suppression purposes.
Replacement water is delivered to tanks wherever possible. If water is taken from domestic and stock or irrigation dams, water needed for essential use will be replaced within 48 hours of being reported.
