Element

A. Means of Access

Points

Notes

1.       Ingress and egress

a.           Two or more roads in/out

0

b.           One road in/out

7

2.       Road width

a.       ≥ 6 m

0

b.           ≥ 6 m but < 7 m  

2

c.            < 6 m

4

3.       All-season road condition

a.       Surfaced road, grade <  5%

0

b.           Surfaced road, grade >  5%

2

c.            Gravel, grade <  5%

2

d.           Gravel, grade >  5%

5

4.     Municipal Fire Brigade Service Access

a.       ≤ 90 m with turnaround

0

b.           > 90 m with turnaround

2

c.            < 90 m with no turnaround

4

d.           ≥ 90 m with no turnaround

5

5.       Road Signs

a.       Present 15 cm  in size and reflectorized

0

b.           Not present

5

B. Vegetation (Fuel Models)

1.       Characteristics of dominant vegetation within adjacent to and on property.

a.           Light (Alpine grasses, coastal fynbos)

5

b.           Medium (short shrub and fynbos, grass, moist savanna, gum, pine and wattle plantation)

10

c.            Heavy (tall mature grass, mature mountain fynbos, dense woody alien plant invaders)

20

2.       Defendable space

a.       > 30 m of vegetation treated around the property

1

b.           21 – 30 m of vegetation treated around the property

3

c.            11 – 20 m of vegetation treated around the property

10

d.           < 10 m  of vegetation treated around the structure(s)

25

C. Dominant Topography within 91.4m of structure/s

1.       Slope < 9%

1

2.       Slope 10% to 20%

4

3.       Slope 21% to 30%

7

4.       Slope 31% to 40%

8

5.       Slope > 41%

10

D. Additional Rating Factors (rate all that apply)

Points

Notes

1.       Topographical features that adversely affect veldfire behaviour
i.e. hot and dry northern slope aspects, gullies, kloofs

0 – 5

2.       Sources of possible ignition that occur within the area assessed. Rate severity on a scale of 1 to 5:

·         frequent lightning

0-5

·         Railways

0-5

·         Mountain passes

0-5

·         Powerlines

0-5

·         Picnic and camping sites

0-5

3.       Areas that are periodically exposed to unusually severe fire weather and strong  dry winds

0 – 5

4.       Neighbour boundary density factor, or potential sources of accidental ignition (add number of properties or neighbours per km).

·         < 1 per km

1

·         2-4 per km

2

·         5-7 per km

3

·         7-10 per km

5

·         > 10 per km

10

E. Dominant Roofing Material

1.       Tin roof

0

2.       Slate or tile roof

3

3.       Asbestos roof

15

4.       Thatch

25

F.  Dominant Building Construction Type

1.       Materials (dominant)

a.           Noncombustible/fire resistive siding, eaves & deck

0

b.           Noncombustible/fire resistive siding, combustible deck

5

c.            Combustible siding and deck

10

2.       Building setback relative to slopes of 30% or more

a.           ≥ 10 m  to slope

1

b.           < 10m  to slope

5

G. Available Fire Protection

1.       Water Source Availability

a.           Pressurized water source availability

1800 lpm  hydrants ≤ 300 m  apart

0

950  lpm  hydrants ≤ 300 m  apart

1

b.           Non-pressurized water source availability (off site)

≥ 950  lpm  continuous for 2 hours

3

< 950  lpm  continuous for 2 hours

5

c.            Water unavailable

10

2.       Organized Response Resources

a.           Fire Brigade Station ≤ 8 km from structure

1

b.           Fire Brigade Station > 8 km from structure

3

3.  Fire Detection Facility

·         Camera monitored 24 hour

1

·         Operational fire lookout

2

·         Contingency (i.e. on red day alert)

4

·         Satellite

6

·         None

10

H. Membership of Fire Protection Association or FireWise Community

1.       Yes

0

2.       No

20

Total

Hazard Assessment

1.       Low hazard:

2.       Moderate Hazard

3.       Extreme hazard

4.       Extreme  hazard

Total Points

< 40

40 – 64

65 – 109

> 109