Two Ways To Protect Your Deck From Bushfire Damage

It makes sense to get your new deck built now before the summer months get here, after all there is little Australians love more than outside living once the temperatures warm up. However, summer also brings the bushfire season to many parts of Australia, and this threat is something that should be considered when you're putting your new deck into place. Timber decks have a wonderful natural look, but they become firewood that can ignite your home when the flames get near. Keep these points in mind when you're putting your new decking in place this year.

Avoid Gaps

Gaps between the wooden slats of your deck are one way a bushfire can take hold of your deck, so the smaller the gaps the better. Wooden slats completely flush against each other are not going to give you the look you want, but there are a couple of steps you can take to reduce the chance of embers slipping through the cracks.

1. Clause 5.7.1 in the AS3959-2009 (Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas) states that a gap that is more than 5 mm wide can give embers a greater chance to slip into the gap, and subsequently set the decking on fire. Therefore, keeping your gap under 5 mm will lessen this chance.
2. Place ember guards into the gaps if you must have them bigger than 5 mm. Ember guards are made of metal mesh, and have perforated holes that are no bigger than 2 mm. The mesh catches traps flying embers, but does not ignite because it is made of metal.

Once you have made the right choice about your gap sizes, you can also prevent fire taking hold by treating your wood decking slats too.

Seal The Wood

If timber wasn't such a good fuel, you wouldn't throw so much of it on the fire every winter. But, you can place a seal on your decking that will be it less combustible.

When you are purchasing a seal to protect your decking from mold, mildew, and water, check to see whether it contains a fire-retardant as well. Seals that contain fire retardants have chemicals in them that will reduce the chance of a flame taking hold of your wood decking. Because the decking is attached to your house, you want to keep the flames as far away from your home as possible.

Keeping these two points in mind will help to reduce the chance that your new decking will become fire fuel if a bushfire gets onto your property. Make sure you take the necessary steps to protect it, and then it will be around for years to come.

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