A Risk-Based Approach to Bushfire Management

Abstract

Abstract In the summer of 2010-2011, Queensland experienced a number of major rainfall events leading to increasing levels of vegetation. A significant increase in the development and operation of coal seam gas (CSG) gathering systems and processes situated in areas that are heavily vegetated, also occurred. These two factors lead to an increasing level of concern that a major bushfire event could prove disastrous in terms of Queensland CSG development. This paper outlines the risk-based approach to the development of a fire management strategy to deal with this significant problem. The fire management strategy addressed the consequences of an unwanted planned or unplanned bushfire event and put in place measures to limit the exposure of: life safety; environment; items of cultural heritage value; and assets. The approach considered a fire management strategy that used high level systematic risk analysis tools, such as fault tree analysis and layer of protection analysis, to develop controls that were viable in terms of implementation and cost. A quantitative approach to the designation of fire risk zones was applied through the calculation of thermal radiation caused by a potential fire in vegetation surrounding sites. The methods used to perform these calculations were derived from the Australian Standard AS 3959: 2009 – Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas. The fire management strategy was developed to reduce risks related to potential fire hazards created onsite or in the surrounding environment. The development of site fire management plans aimed to identify sources of risk at site and opportunities where actions and strategies can be put in place. This ensured the risk of exposure on-site, of both individuals and property to fires, is reduced as far as is reasonably practicable. Bushfires are a significant risk in Australian conditions. Putting in place measures to protect local communities and process assets in response to the increased development in heavily vegetated areas was seen as essential in the current climate. The use of a risk-based approach offered an effective, quantifiable and reproducible system to meet this challenge.