Nestled within the picturesque expanse between Berry and Durras Lake, the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, Australia, is an undeniably attractive place to call home. In fact, the Shoalhaven is where the Curran brand first got its start over 30 years ago.
However, with an average of 600 bushfires per year, including a significant number deemed ‘major,’ Shoalhaven residents face a critical need for strong fire protection measures.
When it comes to bushfire defence, ember protection sprinkler systems are a proactive step that homeowners serious about safeguarding their properties against bushfires should consider.
As local suppliers to the Shoalhaven region, Curran is in a unique position to offer tailored advice regarding if these systems are worth the investment. In the following sections, we delve into the essential aspects of bushfire sprinkler systems, addressing your burning questions and empowering you to make an informed decision.
shoalhaven fire risk
The Shoalhaven region covers an area of approximately 4660 km² between the towns of Berry and Durras Lake. The Shoalhaven experiences an average of 600 bushfires a year, with an average of 20 ‘major’ fires.
According to research from PointData, Shoalhaven has the second highest number of buildings and structures that are classified as high to very high bushfire risk in NSW, as shown in the heat map below:
Source: PointData via Insurance Business Australia
If you want to check the bushfire risk of your exact address, Shoalhaven City Council has a handy map that you can use. Click the button below to view the Bushfire Prone Land Map. Make sure to follow the instructions and select the ‘Hazard’ layer.
What are bushfire sprinkler systems?
Bushfire sprinkler systems are mounted around the perimeter of the roof and consist of a series of strategically placed robust sprinkler heads connected by copper pipe.
The sprinkler heads are designed to provide targeted and localised protection by spraying water on and around structures, creating a moisture barrier that helps prevent ignition from flying embers, which are a significant cause of bushfires spreading.
How do bushfire sprinkler systems work?
Detection
Modern ember protection sprinkler systems are often equipped with sensors that can detect increased heat or smoke in the vicinity. Some systems are linked to weather stations and fire detection networks, allowing them to activate pre-emptively when a bushfire is approaching.
Activation
When the system detects a threat, it activates the sprinklers. The sprinkler system can also be manually switched on by the homeowner, either using the control panel or remotely via their phone.
Sprinkler operation
The sprinklers release water in a high-pressure spray, wetting the surrounding area, including the house and its immediate surroundings. This creates a curtain of water that helps repel embers and suppresses flames.
Still have questions? Click the headings below to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
It is highly likely that power will be cut off during a bushfire. That’s why ember protection sprinkler systems installed by Curran are all backed up by a battery power source. The smart system we install will send an alert should that battery have any issues, so that the sprinkler system will be ready to defend the home when the time comes.
Ember protection sprinklers can be connected to the home’s existing water supply. During a bushfire, however, the local water supply will likely be affected. Instead, Curran recommends that homeowners install a dedicated water supply.
The water source should be clean and sediment-free; a large water tank provides the best solution. A dam or pool can also provide water to feed the sprinklers, but this water is more likely to be contaminated.
This is why at Curran we are such advocates for bushfire sprinkler systems. We don’t want anyone to risk their lives protecting their home in an extreme weather event. Modern bushfire sprinklers are equipped with smart features so that they automatically switch on when a bushfire emergency is detected. There are also options for remote operation of the system via a mobile phone. With these options in place, homeowners can evacuate to safety, knowing that their homes have the best possible chance of survival.
Note: Not all bushfire sprinklers systems offer automatic or remote operations. Check with your supplier about your options. At Curran we recommend an automated system as standard.
During a bushfire the air temperature will spike. It is important that when sourcing a supplier for a bushfire sprinkler system, the homeowner ensures that they are getting high quality materials. Curran installs the Platypus Sprinkler.
The Platypus Sprinkler is engineered to the highest quality. The sprinkler head is constructed from glass reinforced nylon with flame retardant and UV stabiliser with a 316 stainless steel insert. The inlet shaft and nozzle are stainless steel, and the bearing is graphite and carbon fibre. We use copper pipes to connect the network of sprinkler heads as copper is a fire-resistant material.
No, systems can be retro-fitted to older homes or installed with new-builds.
Are bushfire sprinkler systems worth the investment?
Let’s get into the facts. The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) states, “A well prepared home is more likely to survive a bush fire”. One of their key bushfire preparation strategies is to attach a fire sprinkler system to gutters. The RFS encourages the use of sprinkler systems as an active measure to support other bushfire protection strategies.
According to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), external sprinklers offer the following benefits:
Reduce the likelihood of property damage.
Assist firefighters in their defence efforts.
Protect the structural integrity of the building.
Minimise the environmental impact of fires.
The QFES also states that the damage caused by a fire, along with the water used by firefighters to extinguish it, is significantly higher compared to the damage sustained when a building is protected by an effective sprinkler system.
Want more evidence? Read the success stories below to see how sprinklers systems hold up when under serious bushfire conditions.
Case studies
We have compiled several accounts below to illustrate how sprinkler systems have proven their effectiveness in protecting properties and saving lives during real-world bushfire emergencies, including some nearby cases. Note: the majority of the cases referenced in the following section were passed to us directly from a representative at the NSW RFS.
Image Source: Siobhan Threlfall via ABC News
nerringdah, NSW, 2019
On New Years Eve of 2019, a devastating firestorm swept through the far South Coast town of Nerrigundah, destroying 80% of the town’s homes. Residents took shelter in the fire station, which was armed with sprinklers. One of those residents was local fire captain, Ron Threlfall, who credits the fire sprinklers with saving the lives of everyone who took refuge in the fire station. In regards to the sprinklers, he stated, “They should be mandatory and they should be remote controlled.”
Image Source: Marysville
Black Saturday, Vic, 2009
The Black Saturday Bushfires that devastated Victoria in February of 2009 are considered one of the worst natural disaster events in Australian history. In these fires, 173 people lost their lives and 2,029 homes were destroyed. The International Copper Association published this account from a survivor of the Black Saturday fires. In the account, the survivor emphasises the critical role of sprinkler systems in their survival.
It gave them the valuable asset of time, allowing them to seek shelter. They state, “Without the sprinkler system we would have been incinerated in our home in minutes and would not have had the opportunity to retreat to the bunker.” They strongly advocate for the installation of external sprinkler systems as the only reliable defence against bushfires, “Without a sprinkler system you’re relying on the grace of god and luck.”
Black Saturday, Vic, 2009
In this video, watch a bushfire sprinkler system in action during the Black Saturday bushfires. The video, posted by the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA), shows the system being tested less than a week before the fires hit in Clonbinane, Victoria. The sprinklers were installed on the home of CFA volunteer, Trevor Vienet, and they saved his home from destruction, as you can witness in the footage.
Image Source: Sheena Boughen via ABC
Coolagolite, NSW, 2023
More recently, in the Coolagolite bushfire of October 2023, music destination, Four Winds, escaped damage thanks to their bushfire preparedness. Their sprinkler system was activated without human intervention and pulsed for four hours, providing much-needed protection.
Image Source: Simon Maddocks CCTV via ABC
Hamley Bridge, SA, 2015
When fires reached the Hamley Bridge farm property of Professor Simon Maddocks, he was a four-and-a-half-hour flight away in Darwin and couldn’t be there to defend his property. Helpless, he watched over CCTV as his crops went up in flames. His house survived the blaze however, thanks to Professor Maddocks’ remotely controlled sprinkler systems, as well as the help of his neighbours. He says, “The fire came up all around the house, but my ability to turn on irrigation systems from my phone in Darwin and the fact that I had neighbours patrolling with fire units, we’re lucky we got away with a house.”
Getting the right bushfire sprinkler system
At Curran, we want to offer any help we can to assist the members of the Shoalhaven community in protecting their home and all the memories it holds. For anyone seeking an extra layer of defence against bushfires, our trained team of professionals, with their understanding of local conditions, can install a complete system to give your home the best chance of survival. As a multi-trade business we can install a comprehensive bushfire defence system, including:
- Bushfire sprinkler systems that cover the entire roof with water, catching flying embers before they can reach the roof
- Connecting the sprinkler system to a dedicated water supply, such as a water tank
- Setting up a pump to supply power to the sprinkler system
- Gutter guards that repel leaf litter, which quickly becomes fuel to fires
We install the Australian designed and made Platypus bushfire sprinkler system. Platypus’ control unit can sense temperature to automatically activate the sprinklers day or night, without the need to be home.
What sets Platypus sprinklers apart from competitors’ products is the unique sprinkler head design, optimised to withstand high winds – a crucial factor in mitigating ember attacks. By producing larger droplets directed outward and downward, Platypus sprinklers create a shield that is less likely to be swept away by the wind.
We empathise with the financial strain that such systems may impose, but when it comes to saving a home or a life, it is an investment that is more than worth it. Curran offers a number of interest-free payment plans to allow homeowners to defend their home now and pay in the future.
Bushfires have devastated the Shoalhaven region in the past. With limited time to prepare once a bushfire is imminent, is important to be prepared in advance. Curran is committed to equipping Shoalhaven residents with reliable defence systems. If you’re interested in better protecting you home against fires, start the conversation today and get in touch with our team.
