As Australia braces for a dangerous bushfire season with warnings of heightened risks across New South Wales and across the nation, experts are urging proactive measures to safeguard lives and homes, according to the latest AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer 2024.
Hotter, drier conditions fueled by climate change are compounding the threat, leaving communities more vulnerable than ever, according to Professor Guan Yeoh, from UNSW’s School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
“In Victoria alone, one in five new homes approved last year were built in bushfire-prone areas. That really highlights how urgently we need new innovations to better protect our communities,” says Professor Yeoh.
With this growing risk in mind, Professor Yeoh and his team at UNSW have developed an innovative yet surprisingly simple solution: a fire-retardant paint.
Unlike traditional fire protection methods, this innovation provides an advanced layer of defense, helping to reduce the damage caused by bushfires and other fire-related hazards.
Having undergone rigorous testing both in Australia and internationally, this homegrown solution is now being used globally, with potential applications extending beyond bushfire-prone areas.
It can support urban environments where emerging fire risks, such as those posed by new energy technologies, are a concern.
According to Justin Rooney, Managing Director and Co-founder of Flame Security International it isn’t just about fighting fires when they happen. It’s about thinking ahead.
“We need to be smarter in how we plan, and find ways to live with fire risks. With bushfires now an unavoidable part of Australian summers, it’s so important to help communities here and around the world take simple, practical steps to protect what matters most,” says Rooney.
Other technologies in the fire prevention space include interior paint, and spray solutions to provide an additional layer of defense during bushfire alerts, offering peace of mind before evacuation.
These innovations not only address external threats but also provide solutions for indoor safety, offering an extra layer of protection in high-risk areas or during bushfire alerts.
Video of FIRECOAT exterior in action here.
