nsw rfs fire trail standards · the nsw rfs commissioner and the bfcc acknowledge that a...

NSW RFS FIRE TRAIL STANDARDS

STATEMENT

NSW RFS FIRE TRAIL STANDARD 2016 V1.0, PRINTED 2016, 2018 NSW RFS FIRE TRAIL STANDARD 2016, V1.1, PRINTED JUNE 2019. INCLUDES CORRECTION TO LAT/LONG FORMAT FROM ‘DDM’ TO ‘DD’ FORMAT.

Contents1 Introduction 31.1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.2 Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.3 Aim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.4 Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.5 Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.6 Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.7 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1.8 Whatisafiretrailforthepurposeof these Standards? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

1.9 Performance-basedapproach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

1.10 Environmentalapprovals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2 Fire Trail Standards 82.1 Classificationoffiretrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.2 Design requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.2.1 Category1FireTrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.2.2 Category7FireTrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.2.3 Category9FireTrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2.3 Construction and maintenance requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.4 Access requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.5 Signage requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.5.1 Standardfiretrailsigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.5.2 Indicativefiretrailsigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2.5.3 Installationoffiretrailsignson non-registeredfiretrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2.5.4Nothroughtrails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2.5.5 Bridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2.5.6 Standardsymbologyandother advisory signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2.5.7 Firetrailname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2.5.8 Other signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

3 Assessment and compliance 163.1 Performancesolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

3.2 Annualassessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

4 Planning 174.1 FireAccessandFireTrailplan requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4.2 Firetrailtreatmentregister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

5 Document review 18

APPENDICES

Appendix AFirefightingvehiclespecifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Appendix BTypicalfiretrailsignage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

TABLESTable 1:Category1FireTrailrequirements . . . . . . . . 8

Table 2:Category7FireTrailrequirements . . . . . 12

Table 3:Category9FireTrailrequirements . . . . . 14

2 NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE - FIRE TRAIL STANDARDS 2016 – VERSION 1.1

1. Introduction

1.1 BackgroundBushfireshavebeenanaturalpartofthelandscapeformanythousandsofyears.Ascommunitieshavedevelopedandpropertiesandtownshavebeenestablished,theriskofbushfiresimpactingoncommunitieshasincreased.ThroughoutNSWthereareapproximately1.3millionpropertiesonbushfireproneland.

Firefightersrelyonpublicroads,trailsandothertracksonpublicandprivatelandtoaccessthelandscapetopreventandcontainbushfires.Firetrailsexistforthepurposeofprovidingaccesstorespondtobushfires,anditiscriticaltoidentifyandmaintainaneffectivenetworkofaccessibletrails.

Historically,decisionsregardingtheestablishmentandmaintenanceoffiretrailshaverestedwithlandmanagersguidedbyacooperativeframeworkestablishedbytheNSWBushFireCoordinatingCommittee(BFCC).Aneedforadifferentapproachwasidentifiedtoachieveamore consistent and strategic outcome across bothpublicandprivatelands.

TheNSWGovernmentisestablishingamoreintegratedandstrategicnetworkoffiretrailsandaccessarrangementstoimproveaccessibilityforfirefightersduringbushfiresandhazardreductionburns.

Amendments to the Rural Fires Act 1997,throughthe Rural Fires Amendment (Fire Trails) Act 2016, providealegislativebasisfortheestablishmentandmaintenanceoftheenhancednetworkoffiretrails.

The Rural Fires Amendment (Fire Trails) Act 2016 providesfortheNSWRFSCommissionertomakeFire Trail Standards that(withoutlimitation)mayset out:

classification,length,width,gradient,signage,constructionstandardsandmaintenanceoffiretrails,and

thestructureandformofFireAccessandFireTrail(FAFT)plansandTreatmentRegisterspreparedbylocalBushFireManagementCommittees(BFMC).

1.2 PurposeThis document constitutes the Fire Trail Standards madebytheNSWRFSCommissionerpursuanttosection62KoftheRural Fires Act 1997.

TheseStandardsestablishtherequirementstoachieveanintegratedandstrategicfireaccessandfiretrailnetwork.TheStandardsset out design and construction requirements foridentifiedfiretrailsinNSW,andprescribethestructureoftheFAFTplanandassociatedTreatmentRegisterstobepreparedbyBFMCs.

The Standards are to be used by organisations acrossNSWresponsibleforundertakingfireaccessandfiretrailplanning,andlandmanagersresponsibleforthedesign,constructionandmaintenanceoffiretrails.

AsuiteofdocumentsdevelopedbytheNSWRFSCommissionerandtheNSWBFCCprovidesupplementaryguidanceanddirectiontolandmanagerstoassistinthedesign,constructionandmaintenanceoffiretrailsontheirland,andBFMCsinvolvedinfiretrailplanningandthepreparationofFAFTplans.Theseinclude:

FAFT workshop presentation FAFTPlanInstructions Maps Listofcurrentfiretrails TreatmentRegister(populatedwithBFMCfiretrails)

Trailrankingandprioritisationtool.

3NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE - FIRE TRAIL STANDARDS 2016 – VERSION 1.1

1.3. AimTheaimoftheStandardsistofacilitatetheplanningandimplementationofanintegratedandstrategicnetworkoffiretrails.

1.4 ObjectivesTheobjectivesoftheStandardsare:

Toprovideaprocesstoidentifyanintegratedandstrategicnetworkoffiretrailsfortheprotectionofthecommunityanditsassets,includingenvironmentalandsocialvalues;

Toestablishanetworkofstrategicfiretrailswhichmeetminimumstandardsandallowstandardoff-roadcapablefirefightingvehiclestosafelyandeffectivelytraversethelandscape;

Toensurefiretrailsenableavehicletobedrivensafelyalongthetrailwithoutdamagetothevehicleduetooverhangingvegetation,builtstructures,roughtrailsurfaceorotherphysicalimpediments;

Toensurefiretrailsareofanexpectedstandard that is known and understood by firefighters,canbereadilyidentifiedincludinginlimitedvisibilityconditions,andareavailablewhenrequired;and,

Toprovideasustainablefiretrailnetworkthatmeetsoperationalrequirements,minimisesadverseimpactsontheenvironment,anddeliversvalueformoney.

1.5 AssumptionsTheStandardshavebeenpreparedonthebasisofthefollowingassumptions:

Thefiretrailnetworkwillbeusedbysuitablytrainedandcompetentfirefighterscapableofoperatingintheexpectedphysicalenvironment.

FirefightingvehicleswillmeetNSWRFSstandardspecificationsandbedrivenbylicensedandcompetentdriversinaccordancewithlocalprocedures.

1.6 LimitationsThe Standards have been prepared with regard to thefollowinglimitations:

FiretrailsprovidedforintheStandardsareforthepurposesofbushfiresuppressionandotherfiremanagementpurposes.Whileitisrecognisedthatfiretrailsmayalsobeusedforotherpurposes(includingotherlandmanagementandcommercialpurposes,formingapartoffirebreaks,firecontainmentlinesandthelike),suchusesdonotfallwithinthescopeoftheseStandards.

Whilefiretrailswillbebuilttoaconsistentacceptablestandardinconsiderationofoperationalneeds,thesafetyoffirefighterscannotbeguaranteedgivenvariabilityintopography,weatherandfireconditions.

The design and construction standards specifiedintheStandardscaterforstandardoff-roadcapablefirefightingvehiclescurrentlyused in NSW.

Theimplementationofanewstandardisoftenchallengingandsubjecttoavailablefundingandpriorities.TheNSWRFSCommissionerandtheBFCCacknowledgethatacooperativeandincrementalapproachinimplementingthisStandardwillberequiredoverseveralyears,andtheeffectivenessoftheStandardwillbecontinuallymonitoredtoensureitmeetstheintentofthelegislation.


1.7 DefinitionsExpressionsdefinedin62JoftheRural Fires Act 1997 applytotheStandards.DefinitionsarepertheNSWRFSDictionaryandapplytotheStandardsexceptwhereotherwisedefinedinsection62JoftheAct.KeytermsrelevanttotheStandardsareincludedbelowforreference:

Designated fire trail AfiretrailidentifiedbytheNSWRFSCommissionerthatmustbeupgradedorestablishedtomeettheStandards.

Certified fire trail AfiretrailthathasbeencertifiedascompliantwiththeFire Trail Standards.

Registered fire trail Afiretrail,regardlessoftenure,thathasbeencertifiedtomeettheseStandardsandisplacedonthePublicRegister.

Strategic fire trail AfiretrailonanytenureidentifiedbyaBFMCduringtheFAFTplanningprocess,orbytheNSWRFSCommissioner,tobeofsignificantvalueinthesuppressionormanagementoffirewithinthelandscape.ThesetrailsareplacedontheTreatmentRegisterapprovedbytheNSWRFSCommissionerandsubsequentlydesignated.Thesemayincludemulti-purposetrails.

Tactical fire trail AfiretrailonanytenureidentifiedbyaBFMCduringtheFAFTplanningprocess,orbytheNSWRFSCommissioner,thatshouldremainopentosupportthepreventionandsuppressionoffire.Thesemayincludemulti-purposetrails.

Private land meansthatisnotpublicland(section62J).

Public land meansmanagedland,unoccupiedCrownLand,orlandownedoroccupiedbyapublicauthority.ApublicauthorityresponsibleforanyparticularlandistakentobeoccupierofthelandforthisPart(section62J).

1.8 WhatisafiretrailforthepurposeoftheseStandards?Therearearangeofaccesswaysacrossthelandscapeavailableforusebyfirefighters.Theseincludepublicroads,tracksandtrailsorotherroadsusedforlandmanagement,assetmanagementorrecreationalpurposes.

ThepurposeoftheseStandardsistodefineanetworkoffiretrailsforvehicularuseidentifiedthroughtheprocessesestablishedbytheActanddeemednecessaryfortheprotectionofthecommunityanditsassets.ThesevehiculartrailswillbeidentifiedatalocallevelbytheBFMCandrecordedinaFAFTplanandtheTreatmentRegister,orbytheNSWRFSCommissioner.TheNSWRFSCommissionermayprovideguidancerelatingtothefactorstobeconsideredinthisprocess.

WhiletheStandardsareprincipallyconcernedwithfiretrailsdesignatedandregisteredunderprovisionsoftheAct,itisrecognisedthatotherfiretrailsandaccesswayswillcontinuetoexistandserveanimportantroleinbushfiresuppressionandfiremanagement.TheseotherfiretrailswillalsobeinformedbytheStandards.AllfiretrailsandaccesswayswillbeidentifiedaspartoftheoverallfireaccessnetworkcapturedintheFAFTplanningprocess.


1.9 Performance-basedapproachTheStandardsadoptaperformance-basedapproachwhichallowsforflexibilityandinnovationinthedesignoffiretrailshavingregardtosite-specificopportunitiesandconstraints.

Theperformancecriteriamustbesatisfiedforregisteredfiretrails,andshouldbeachievedforotherfiretrails.Performancecriteriaaresetoutforeachrequirementandtheoutcomethatneedstobeachieved.Meetingtheperformancecriteriaisessentialtomaintainthesafetyandoperationalperformanceoffirefightingresources.Compliancewiththeperformancecriteriacanbeachievedinoneoftwoways:

2. Acceptable solution –Acceptablesolutionshavebeenspecifiedforeachperformancecriteriaandare‘deemedtosatisfy’.Materials,components,designfactors,andconstructionmethodsmaybeincludedwhich,ifused,willresultincompliancewiththeperformancecriteria. It is expected that designated and registeredfiretrailsonthewholewillfallintothiscategory;or,

3. Performance solution –Aperformancesolutionmay be proposed where constraints mean compliancewiththeacceptablesolutionisnotpracticable,anditisdemonstratedthatitotherwiseachievestheperformancecriteria.

Theprocessofdemonstratingcompliance,includingwhereaperformancesolutionisproposed,isoutlinedinChapter3.

1.10 EnvironmentalapprovalsFiretrailworksarerequiredtobeundertakeninaccordancewithapplicableenvironmentalandotherregulatoryrequirements.Arangeofenvironmentapprovalmechanismsexistforfiretrails,theseinclude:

BushFireHazardReductionCertificateissuedinaccordancewiththeBushFireEnvironmentalAssessmentCode;

ReviewofEnvironmentalFactors(REF)underPart5oftheEnvironmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979;

Assessment in accordance with the InfrastructureStateEnvironmentalPlanningPolicy(ISEPP);or

Anyotherrelevantenvironmentalapprovalmethods.

ThefollowingappliestotheBushFireEnvironmentalAssessmentCode.

TheBushFireEnvironmentalAssessmentCode2017* (the “Code”)providesastreamlinedenvironmentalassessmentprocessformechanicalandburningmethodsforundertakingbushfirehazardreductionwork,includingfiretrails.

Forthepurposesofclause3.8oftheCode,theCodeappliestothefollowingworks,providedtheworksaretobringthefiretrailintoclosercompliancewithanacceptablesolutionsetoutin,orperformancesolutionapprovedinaccordancewith,thedesignandconstructionrequirementsset out in Chapter 2 and the work is in accordance with the NSW RFS Fire Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance Manual issuedbytheNSWRFSCommissioner:

adesignatedfiretrail; aregisteredfiretrail; afiretrailthatconstitutespartofthefiretrailnetworkwithinaFAFTplanapprovedforthearea;

afiretrailshownontheBFMC’sfiretraillayerandcategorisedas‘essential’or‘important’asat1August2017wherethereisnoFAFTplanapprovedforthearea;or

anexistingfiretrailidentifiedasatreatmentinanapprovedBushFireRiskManagementPlanwherethereisnoFAFTplanapprovedforthearea.

Forthepurposesofclause3.9oftheCode,theCodeappliestoworksforavehicularcontrolline,wherethoseworksareinaccordancewithanacceptablesolutionsetoutin,orperformancesolutionapprovedinaccordancewith,thedesignandconstructionrequirements set out in Chapter 2 and NSW RFS Fire Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance Manual issuedbytheNSWRFSCommissioner.

*Note:OnceapprovedandGazetted.


2.FireTrailStandards2.1 ClassificationoffiretrailsTheStandardsprovidefortheclassificationoffiretrailsbasedonthetypeoffirefightingvehiclerequired to access an area. Three categories are provided:

Category 1: AfiretrailthatcanbesafelytraversedbyaCategory1firefightingvehicle.



Specificrequirementshavebeendevelopedforeachcategoryoffiretrail.ThespecificationsarebasedontheengineeringdetailscontainedinAppendix A.

ThecategoryofeachfiretrailwillbeidentifiedintheFAFTplanassetoutinChapter4andasidentifiedbytheNSWRFSCommissionerinthedesignationandregistrationofthefiretrail.

2.2 Design requirementsIntent of requirements:toprovideafunctional,strategicnetworkoffiretrailswhichpermitsaccessforfirefightingvehiclesusedinNSWinordertosupportfiremanagementandbushfirefighting.

2.2.1 Category1FireTrailsThefollowingperformancecriteriaandacceptablesolutionsareconsideredindustrybestpracticeandapplytoCategory1FireTrails:

Table 1:Category1FireTrailrequirements

REQUIREMENT PERFORMANCECRITERIA ACCEPTABLESOLUTIONS

Width Thewidthofthetrailprovidesforsafe,reliableandunobstructedpassagebyaCategory1firefightingvehiclewithinacceptableoperationallimits.

Thetrafficablesurfacehasawidthof4metresexceptforshortconstrictionsto3.5metresfornomorethan30metresinlengthwhereanobstructioncannotbereasonablyavoidedorremoved.

Curves have a minimum inner radius of6metres.Theminimumdistancebetween inner and outer curves is 6 metres.

Capacity Theconstructionandformationofthetrailistrafficableunderallweatherconditions(otherthanduetoflood,stormsurgeorsnowfall)foraCategory1firefightingvehicle.

Trailsurfacesandcrossingstructuresarecapableofcarryingvehicleswithagrossvehiclemassof15tonnesandanaxleloadof9tonnes.



Grade and crossfall TheverticalprofileofthetrailprovidesfortractionandsafeworkinganglewithinthephysicaloperationalcapabilityofaCategory1firefightingvehicle.

Note: This includes design that does not impede the undercarriage of a vehicle.

Themaximumgradeofatrailisnotmore than 15 degrees.

Thecrossfallofthetrailsurfaceisnotmore than 6 degrees.

Drainagestructures,featurecrossings,orothersignificantchangesinthegradeofthetrailshallbeinaccordancewith the NSW RFS Fire Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance Manual.

Clearance AclearedcorridorisprovidedaroundthetrailwhichpermitstheunobstructedpassageofaCategory1firefightingvehicleandforaworkingcorridoreithersideofthevehicletoenablefirefighterstoexitfrom,andaccessequipmentin,thevehicle.

Aminimumverticalclearanceof4metresisprovidedabovethesurfaceofthetrafficablesurfaceclearofobstructions.

Passing ThetrailprovidesfortwoCategory1firefightingvehiclestopassatappropriateintervalssoastoavoidunacceptabledelaysinoperations.

Capacityforpassingisprovidedevery250 metres comprising: Awidenedtrafficablesurfaceofatleast6metresforalengthofatleast20metres;or

A6metrewideand8metrelongareaclearofthetrafficablesurfacewith a minimum inner curve radius of6metresandminimumouterradiusof12metres;or

Aturnaroundasprovidedforinthistable.

Turnarounds ThetrailprovidesforaturningmanoeuvreforaCategory1firefightingvehicletoreturninthedirectionfromwhichitcameatappropriateintervalsandattheterminationofatrail.

A turning area is provided at the terminationofatrailandevery500metres and is achieved by: Anareaclearofthetrafficablesurface6metreswideand8metresdeep,withaminimuminnercurveradiusof6metresandouterminimumradiusof12metres;or

Aturningcircleofminimum22metre diameter.

AT-junctionwitheachterminatingendofthejunctionbeingatleast10metresinlengthfromtheintersectionoftheroadsandtheinnerradiusofthatintersectionbeingatleast6metres

Afiretrailorroadintersection.

Drainage Thefiretrailisdrainedeffectivelytomanagerainfallrunofftopreventdamagetothetrafficablesurface.

Drainageofthetrailisdesignedand constructed in accordance with the NSW RFS Fire Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance Manual.


2.2.2 Category7FireTrailsThefollowingperformancecriteriaandacceptablesolutionsareconsideredindustrybestpracticeandapplytoCategory7FireTrails:




Thetrafficablesurfacehasawidthof3.5metresexceptforshortconstrictionsto3metresfornomorethan30metresinlengthwhereanobstructioncannotbereasonablyavoided or removed.







Thecrossfallofthecarriagewayisnotmore than 6 degrees.

Drainagestructures,featurecrossings,orothersignificantchangesinthegradeofthetrailshallbeinaccordance with the NSW RFS Fire Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance Manual.


Aminimumverticalclearanceof3.5metresisprovidedabovethesurfaceofthetrafficablesurfaceclearofobstructions.




Capacityforpassingbaysareprovided every 250 metres comprising: Awidenedtrafficablesurfaceofatleast5.5metresforalengthofatleast15metres;or,

A5.5metrewideand6metrelongareaclearofthetrafficablesurfacewith a minimum inner curve radius of5metresandminimumouterradiusof10metres.


A turning area is provided at the terminationofatrailandevery500metres and is achieved by: Anareaclearofthetrafficablesurface5.5metreswideand6metresdeep,withaminimuminnercurveradiusof5metresandouterminimumradiusof10metres;or

Turningcircleofminimum17metre diameter.




2.2.3 Category9FireTrailsThefollowingperformancecriteriaandacceptablesolutionsrequirementsareconsideredindustrybestpracticeandapplytoCategory9FireTrails:




Thetrafficablesurfacehasawidthof3metresexceptforshortconstrictionsto2.5metresfornomorethan30metresinlengthwhereanobstructioncannotbereasonablyavoidedorremoved.







Thecrossfallofthetrailsurfaceisnotmore than 6 degrees.

Drainagestructures,featurecrossings,orothersignificantchangesinthegradeofthetrailshallbein accordance with the NSW RFS Fire Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance Manual.


Aminimumverticalclearanceof3metresisprovidedabovethesurfaceofthetrafficablesurfaceclearofobstructions.




Capacityforpassingbaysareprovided every 250 metres comprising: Awidenedtrafficablesurfaceofatleast5metresforalengthofatleast15metres;or,

A5.5metrewideand6metrelongareaclearofthetrafficablesurfacewith a minimum inner curve radius of5metresandminimumouterradiusof10metres.


A turning area is provided at the terminationofatrailandevery500metres and is achieved by: Anareaclearofthetrafficablesurface5.5metreswideand6metresdeep,withaminimuminnercurveradiusof5metresandouterminimumradiusof10metres;or

Turningcircleofminimum16metre diameter.




2.3 Construction and maintenance requirements

Firetrailsshallbeconstructedandmaintainedin accordance the NSW RFS Fire Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance Manual issued by the NSWRFSCommissioner.

2.4 Access requirementsAccesstofiretrailsshallnotbeobstructedtoensurethatthefiretrailisavailableforusebyfirefightingservices.Whereaccesstoafiretrailiscontrolledthroughtheinstallationofagateorothercontrolmechanism,thisshallnotunreasonablyrestrictaccesstofirefighters.Accessbyfirefightersandtheirrepresentativesshallonlybeundertakenforthepurposesoffirefightingandassociatedactivities.

Inappropriate / unauthorised access is not permitted withouttheknowledgeofthelandmanager.

Anygateorcontrolmechanisminstalledacrossatrailshallbeoperablebyasinglepersonwithoutassistanceormachinery,andprovideaclearareaforthepassingofavehicleatleastthewidthofthetrafficablesurfacespecifiedintherelevantacceptablesolutionspecifiedinTable1,2or3.Thisareaforpassingshouldbeprovidedwithin100metresofthegate.

Where any securing arrangement to a gate or other controlmechanismrequirestheuseofthekeyforaccess,thelandmanagermustprovidefirefighterswithaccesssuchthatfirefightingeffortsarenothamperedordelayed,tothesatisfactionoftheNSWRFSCommissioner.

TheNSWRFSCommissionerwillworkwithmajorgovernmentlandmanagerstoidentifysuitableandefficientaccesscontrolarrangementstofacilitateaccesstothefiretrailnetworkacrosstenures.

Itisacknowledgedthatfiretrailsmayneedtobeclosedperiodicallyformaintenanceandrepairpurposes.Anyperiodsofclosureshouldbeminimisedasfarasreasonablypracticableandlocalresponseagenciesshouldbemadeawareoftheclosure,intendeddurationofclosureandreopening.

2.5 Signage requirementsStandardisedsignsshouldbeinstalledandmaintainedthroughoutthefiretrailnetworksothatfiretrailsareeasilyidentifiedwhenrequiredforfirefightingactivitiesandfiremanagement,includingintimesoflimitedvisibility.Signswillberequiredforallfiretrailsonpublicland,whilesignstobeinstalledonprivatelandwillbesubjecttoagreementwiththerelevantprivatelandowner.

TheNSWRFSCommissionerwillsupplyandinstallstandardfiretrailsignsorapprovedindicativesignagewhereappropriateforallregisteredfiretrails.Signagewillbeinstalledinthefirstinstanceontrailswherenocurrent signage exists. Where existing signage exists thatisclearandperformstherequiredfunction,itwillnotrequirereplacementuntilthesignisnolongerfunctional,atwhichtimeitwillbereplacedbyNSWRFSwithasignthatmeetsthisStandard.

Tomaintainconsistencyandensureaccuracy,theNSWRFSCommissionerwillgathersignagerequirementdetailsfromeachlandmanagerthroughtheBFMCpriortoorderingsignage.

2.5.1 StandardfiretrailsignsAfiretrailshouldbeclearlysignpostedwithstandardsignsateachentrypointtothefiretrail.

Firetrailsignswillbeametalblade,Class1reflectiveyellowwithblacklettering,andinclude:

NSWRFS*Logo Firetrailname(including‘F/T’asanabbreviationfor‘firetrail’);

LatitudeandlongitudereferenceofthelocationofthesigninDegreesDecimalMinutes(DD)format,and;

Thevehiclecarryingcapacity(1,7or9)inredwithinredcircleasdisplayedinAppendixB.

Letteringistobe70mminheight,andabladeistobenolongerthan1200mm.Shouldafiretrailnamenotfitonasinglebladeofthislength,thefollowingoptionsare to be considered:

1. compressletteringspacingandretain70mmheight2. reduceletteringsizeandprintontwolines

Whereasignistobemountedonacentrepole,bladelengthmaybeincreasedto1800mm.Signsshouldconsidertheuseofananti-graffiticoating.

AnillustrationofatypicalstandardsignforaregisteredfiretrailisatAppendixB.

Inareaswherepermanentsignageisunsuitablesuchasareasofhightheftorvandalism,theNSWRFSCommissionermayconsidertheuseoftemporarysignagesuchav-framesignage,orotherdesignsuitableforuseduringanincident.* except where the sign is paid and provided by the land manager. In these circumstances, the land manager may use their logo in place of the NSW RFS.


2.5.2 IndicativefiretrailsignsIncircumstanceswheretheuseofastandardfiretrailsignisnotconsideredsuitable,suchasonornearprivateproperty,theNSWRFSCommissionermayissueandinstallindicativefiretrailsigns.

Thesesignswillbeametalblade,Class1reflectiveyellow,andincludeonlythetrailVehicleCarryingCapacity(i.e.1,7or9)asshowninAppendixB.Thesesignsshouldconsidertheuseofananti-graffiticoating.

AnillustrationofatypicalindicativesignforaregisteredfiretrailisatAppendixB.

2.5.3 Installationoffiretrailsignsonnon-registeredfiretrails

ShouldaBFMCorlandmanagerwishtoinstallfiretrailsignsonnon-registeredfiretrails,thesignshouldusethedesigninAppendixBwiththefollowingalterations:

allletteringistobeblack,includingthevehiclecarrying capacity

theremustbenocirclearoundthevehiclecarrying capacity.

2.5.4 NothroughtrailsAlltrailswithonlyoneentryandexitpoint(deadendsortohandtoollinesonly)mustbemarkedasa“NoThroughRoad”.ThesesignstobeClass1reflectivewhitewithblacklettering70mminheight,andaretobeasinglebladepositioneddirectlyunderthefiretrailsign.

2.5.5 BridgesBridgesshouldbemarkedandidentifyloadrating.ThesesignstobeClass1reflectivewhitewithblackletteringasperRMSstandards,andaretobeasinglesignpositionedappropriatelyinrelationtothebridge.

2.5.6 Standardsymbologyandotheradvisory signs

In some circumstances there may be a requirementorbenefitindisplayingadditionalinformationonsignposts.Thismayincludeasix(6)figuregridreference.

Standardsymbology,inaccordancewithAFACStandards,forfeaturesconsideredrelevant(suchasWaterPoints,EscapeRoutesandHelipads)byaBFMCmaybeincludedonaClass1reflectivewhitesingleblade.ThesymbologywouldbeconsistentwiththecolourofthestandardisedAFACsymbol.AnexampleisprovidedinAppendix B.

Shouldthefiretrailhaveanyknownrestrictions,aseparatebladeshallbeprovidedtoidentifytherestriction.Thesewillbeametalblade,Class1reflectivewhitewithblacklettering.

2.5.7 FiretrailnameFiretrailsshallbeappropriatelynamedinordertominimiseconfusion.BFMCsandlandmanagersarerequiredtonamethefiretrailpriortoregistration.Ifalreadyknown,useacceptednameswhenformallynamingafiretrail.Firetrailsshouldnotbereferredtoas‘unnamed’,‘noname’,or‘unknown’.

Nominatednamesshouldbeeasytopronounce,writeandspell.AvoidduplicationortheuseofcommonnamesinexistenceelsewherewithintheBFMC’slocalarea.

2.5.8 Other signsOthersignsmayberequiredfromtimetotimebytheNSWRFSCommissioner.Thesemayincludeguidepostsforculverts,orsignagerequiredtoindicatethelocationofturn-aroundpointsorhelipads.

TheNSWRFSwillworkwiththeotheragenciestodetermineadditionalpublicsafetyinformationsignagetobeprovidedaspartof,orinconjunctionwith,firetrailsignsasrequired.


3.AssessmentandcomplianceAssessmentswillneedtobeundertakenatanumberofpointsinthisprocesstodeterminewhetherafiretrailcomplieswiththedesignandconstructionrequirementsoftheStandard.Assessmentsshallbefocussedonwhetherthetrailcomplieswiththedesignandconstructionstandards set out in Chapter 2. Where an assessmentisundertakenforthepurposesofsubmissiontotheNSWRFSCommissioner,theassessmentwillberequiredtobeintheformspecifiedbytheNSWRFSCommissioner.

3.1 PerformancesolutionsWhereaperformancesolutionisproposed,theonusisonthelandmanagertodemonstratecompliancewithrelevantprovisionsoftheStandards.

Performancesolutionsmustbeassessedaccordingtooneormoreoftheassessmentmethods:

Evidencetosupportthattheuseofamaterial,formofconstruction,ordesignmeetstheperformancecriteria;

Verificationmethodssuchasatest,inspection,calculationorothermethodthatdetermineswhetheraperformancesolutioncomplieswiththerelevantperformancecriteria;

Comparisonwiththeacceptablesolutionsusing expert judgement.

PerformancesolutionsshouldbedevelopedinconsultationwiththerelevantstakeholderssuchastheNSWRFS,engineers,privatelandowners,andtheBFMCbeforebeingforwardedtotheNSWRFSCommissionerforapproval.

3.2 AnnualassessmentApubliclandmanagershallprovidetotheNSWRFSCommissionerannuallyastatementastotheconditionofeachdesignatedandregisteredfiretrailonitsland,andwhetherornoteachofthosetrailsmeettheStandards.ThestatementmustbemadeintheformasspecifiedbytheNSWRFSCommissioner.

Whereafiretrailislocatedonprivateland,assessmentarrangementswillbedeterminedandset out in the agreement entered into between the NSWRFSCommissionerandthelandowner.

TheNSWRFSmayundertakeinspectionsoffiretrailsonbothpublicandprivatelandadditionaltotheannualassessmentrequirement.

AnannualassessmentofallotherfiretrailsinaFAFTplanshouldbeundertakenbytheresponsibleagencyandprovidedtotheBFMC.


4.Planning4.1 FireAccessandFireTrailplan

requirementsIn order to provide a consistent approach to firetrailplanningacrossNSW,theActrequiresBFMCstoprepareadraftFAFTplanfortheirarea. This must be prepared in accordance with requirements set out in these Standards and reviewed and approved by the BFCC.

TheFAFTplanwillsupplementexistingfireplanningactivitiesundertakenatthelocallevel,suchasbushfireriskmanagementplanning,andidentifytheappropriatemeansofaccessinglandtoprevent,fight,manageorcontainbushfires.Theprocesswillconsiderawiderangeoffactorsthatwillreviewtheadequacyoftheaccesssystemforfirefightingtoprovideaccessfortheprotectionoflifeandpropertyinanarea.

AFAFTplanshall:

Be prepared in accordance with instructions andbeinaformspecifiedbytheNSWRFSCommissioner;

IncludealltrailsthatformthefiretrailnetworkasenvisagedintheStandards,alongwithotheraccessways;and

Bepreparedwithaplanninghorizonof5years.

AFAFTplanshallcomprise:

A map showing: Abaselayercontainingallexistingvehiculartracks,trailsandroads;

Theidentifiedfiretrailnetworkcomprising: Allstrategicfiretrails; Alltacticalfiretrails;and Otherfireaccessways,suchasexistingroads,tracksandtrailsthatmaybeofuseforfiremanagement,butdonotformpartofthefiretrailnetwork.

Ascheduleoftheidentifiedfiretrailsthatconstitutethefiretrailnetworkdetailing: Name Identifier Category(strategicortactical) Status(registered,designatedetc.) VehicleCarryingCapacity(VCC) Proposedfiretrails Currentfiretrailcondition Responsibleagency;and Other matters as determined by the NSW RFSCommissioner.

4.2 FiretrailtreatmentregisterAtreatmentregisterformshouldbeusedtosetoutascheduleofworksfortheconstructionandmaintenanceoffiretrailsthatconstitutethefiretrailnetwork.

AtreatmentregistershallbepreparedandsubmittedtotheNSWRFSCommissionerforapproval:

ConcurrentlywiththesubmissionofadraftFAFTplan;and

By31Mayeachyear.Atreatmentregistershall:

BepreparedinaccordancewiththeBFMCinstructionsandbeinaformatspecifiedbytheNSWRFSCommissioner;and

DetailplannedfiretrailworksforthenominalfiveyearplanninghorizonoftheFAFTplantoimprove the network over time.


5. Document reviewThe Fire Trail Standards may be reviewed and amendedbytheNSWRFSCommissionerasrequired.Areviewmustbeundertakenbefore 30June2019.


Appendix A Firefightingvehiclespecifications

Category 1Firefightingvehiclespecifications

Length 8200 mm

Width 2400 mm

Mirror length 450mm

Height 3700mm(including600mmforaerials)

Ground clearance 310 mm

Approach angle 35º

Departure angle 25º

Wheelbase 4700 mm

Turning circle – wall to wall 22m diameter

Weight 14200kg

Maximum axle loading 9,000kg


Category 7Firefightingvehiclespecifications

Length 6200mm

Width 2040mm

Mirror length 450mm


Ground clearance 230mm

Approach angle 35º


Wheelbase 3395mm

Turning circle – wall to wall 17mdiameter

Weight 7500kg

Maximum axle loading 5600kg


Category 9 Firefightingvehiclespecifications

Length 5300mm

Width 1750mm

Mirror length 450mm


Ground clearance 220mm

Approach angle 35º


Wheelbase 3180mm

Turning circle – wall to wall 16m diameter

Weight 3700 kg

Maximum axle loading 2000kg


Appendix B“Certified”FireTrailSignage

PRIMARY FIRE TRAIL DIRECTIONAL SIGN SINGLE END-MOUNTED POST

200mmwidebladewithChevron

Class1yellowreflectivewithblacklettering

Redcircleandvehiclecarryingcapacity.Circletobe125mmindiameter

70mm Lettering

Wheretwolinesarerequired,letteringheight may be 60mm

Maxlength900mm

Lat/Long(DDformat)letteringsizetosuit–singleline

Logo to be 115mm high

BI-DIRECTIONAL SIGN CENTRE–MOUNTED POST

200mmwidebladewithchevronateachend


Redcircleandvehiclecarryingcapacity.Redcircletobe125mmindiameterat either end

70mm Lettering


Maxlength1200mm

Lat/Long(DDformat)letteringsizetosuit-singleline

INDICATIVE FIRE TRAIL SIGN FOR USE ON OR NEAR PRIVATE PROPERTY

200mmwidebladewithchevron


Redcircleandvehiclecarryingcapacity.Redcircletobe125mmindiameter

STOCKYARD CREEK TOSASSAFRAS RIDGE F/T


AFAC BUSH FIRE SYMBOLOGY

Helipad

Refuge

Water Point

Staging Area

WaterPointHelicopter

EscapeRoute

“Advisory”FireTrailSignage

AFAC SYMBOLOGY AND OTHER ADVISORY SIGNS

Attachedunderyellowblade

200mmwidebladewithChevron Attachedunderyellowblade

200mmbladewithsquareend

70mm Lettering

Reflectivewhitebackground

Blacklettering

AFACsymbologytobe125mmhigh

OnlyAFACStandardBushFire Symbologyistobeused


“Tactical”FireTrailSignage

PRIMARY FIRE TRAIL DIRECTIONAL SIGN SINGLE END-MOUNTED POST

200mmwidebladewithChevron


Catnumberletteringtobe90mm

70mm Lettering


Maxlength900mm

Lat/Long(DDformat)letteringsizetosuitonsingleline

Logo to be 115mm high

BI-DIRECTIONAL SIGN CENTRE MOUNTED POST

200mmwidebladewithchevronateachend


Redcircleandvehiclecarryingcapacity.Redcircletobe125mmindiameterateitherend

70mm Lettering


Maxlength1200mm

Lat/Long(DDformat)letteringsizetosuitonsingleline


Postal addressNSWRuralFireService Locked Bag 17 GRANVILLENSW2142

Social Media www.facebook.com/nswrfs/

@NSWRFS

Street addressNSWRuralFireService 4MurrayRoseAvenueSydneyOlympicParkNSW2127

T (02) 8741 5555 F (02)87415550www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

nsw rfs fire trail standards · the nsw rfs commissioner and the bfcc acknowledge that a...

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