In Australia there is no fire bunker standards developed yet. As a result of many survival stories in fire shelters during the last Victorian bushfire, many people are looking for fire bunkers if any bushfire comes during this fire season also. At the same time the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission is continuing its hearing on the last Black Saturday fires from the public at various places.

Recently, Melinda Richards one of the lawyers assisting the Royal Commission said in a submission that fire bunker standards should be developed by April 1, 2010 and be in force by not later than May 1.She expected that Victorian government through the Building commission (BC) should take initiative to develop fire bunker standards.

It is to be noted that Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), the country’s apex building regulatory board has taken the issue and is preparing a uniform standard on fire bunkers. However the standards can not be made public during this bushfire season and therefore Ms.Melinda the counsel requested an interim accreditation standard for Victoria until the ABCB’s national standards come out. She demanded that there should be regulations on the claims of fire bunker manufactures about the capacity to withstand intense heat and severe winds, oxygen availability and the bunker’s ability to keep smoke and poisonous gases out of it.

Most of the Fire bunkers are installed as buried into slope or side. There are many advantages for it over the above ground fire bunkers. There may be some requirements like drainage and waterproofing. The fire bunker must be able to withstand the weight of the soil particularly wet soil. Some of the advantages of these bunkers are,

• The fire bunker is insulated by the earth.
• There is cool air inside.
• The exposure to radiant heat is minimum.
• The fire bunker is not fully visible from outside.
• The flames can pass over the bunker.
• Side doors provide easy entry.

However these types of bunkers have their own drawbacks particularly after installation. These may be,

• The excavation and leveling the ground requires labor and money.
• Drainage problems need to be addressed.
• Installation requires some engineering and technical knowledge.

The fire bunkers can be installed either underground or above ground. Different manufactures sell both underground and above ground bunkers.

Above Ground Bunkers-The Advantages:

• Since being above ground no excavation is needed
• No landslip or drainage problems
• There is easy access from side door
• It can be built on the ground itself and no transportation is therefore needed.
• It can be used for some other purpose when not in use for fire safety.
• Can be built as per customer specification.

The Disadvantages of Above Ground Bunkers:

• There is no natural insulation from earth. This means threat from radiant heat.
• Likely to heat up in hot weather. No cooling inside.
• Fall of tree branches and structures more possible on an above ground fire bunker.
• Additional insulation needed to protect from fire and radiant heat.