Fire hydrant clearance
FRNSW requires that fire hydrants be kept clear and accessible at all times. Their accessibility will be checked in reports under sections 28, 50, and 51 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021.
While a well-kept garden is nice, it’s important to make sure that plants do not block access to fire hydrants. Regular pruning is needed to keep a clear space of at least 1 meter around each hydrant on all sides. This helps ensure that hydrants are visible and easy to reach.
Regular garden upkeep, especially during the growing season, is essential to prevent plants from growing into the required clear zones. Overgrown plants can obstruct firefighting efforts, delay emergency responses, and make fire situations worse.
According to AS1851, your fire contractor should regularly check that all valves and boosters are accessible. If they find any issues with fire hydrant clearance, you will need to address the garden maintenance right away.
REDMEN: your AS 1851 fire protection solution provider
REDMEN Fire Protection Management is a NSW based fire protection provider and we know the industry inside and out. With offices in Sydney, Newcastle and the NSW Central Coast, we have hundreds of years of combined experience in fire protection. We have tracked the evolution of fire standards and legislation, and even been instrumental in their development.
Our expert staff will provide a free walk-around to make sure that you are compliant with the best practice for fire protection, including fire hydrant clearance. Just contact us today and we can set up an appointment today and we will be able to set your mind at ease.
