The NSW RFS has excellent survival plans. This checklist covers what tradespeople see on homes every fire season — the physical, exterior tasks that reduce ember-attack risk on a South Coast property. Do these once a year, before summer.
Gutters and roof line
Dry leaf litter in gutters is the single most common ignition point during ember attack. Get it clean before summer, every year.
- Full gutter clean before the fire season
- Downpipes flushed and free-flowing
- Valleys checked for debris build-up
- AS3959-compliant ember mesh installed on BAL-rated properties
Roof, vents and openings
Embers find every gap. Close them before fire season starts.
- Roof tiles or sheets checked for gaps and lifting
- Whirlybirds and vents fitted with ember-rated mesh
- Weep holes on brick walls screened
- Roof-mounted evaporative coolers checked for combustible debris
Solar panels and rooftop equipment
Bird nests and debris under solar panels are a hidden ember trap. Coast Flow's solar bird proofing mesh addresses this and reduces panel-shading pest damage.
- Under-panel space cleared of nests and debris
- Bird-proofing mesh installed around the array perimeter
- Solar cable insulation checked for rodent damage
Surrounding property
Not our specialty, but worth the reminder. Keep 20 metres of the home defensible: mown grass, pruned overhanging branches, cleared under-deck storage, and hoses that reach every side of the house.
Key takeaways
- Clean gutters annually before summer — non-negotiable
- Ember-rated (AS3959) mesh is the highest-value upgrade in a BAL zone
- Solar panels hide bird nests that become ember traps
- Combine this checklist with the RFS Bush Fire Survival Plan