Summer has nearly arrived with temperatures increasing and days becoming longer. If you haven’t already, it is time to check the exterior of your home or property to make sure it is summer ready. One important task is to check if your property requires firebreaks and if so, have them constructed. For properties with existing firebreaks, it is imperative they are maintained too.
Interested to know more about firebreaks? Read on to learn more including:
- What is a firebreak?
- Firebreak designs
- Firebreak requirements
What is a firebreak?
A firebreak is a long and narrow piece of land that has been cleared of trees, shrubs, grass and other combustible materials. While a firebreak cannot be fully relied upon to stop a bushfire spreading, it’s two main purposes are to minimise or stop a low-intensity bushfire spreading and allow fire-fighting vehicles easy access if a fire does occur. Depending on the land to be cleared, firebreaks are normally constructed and maintained using a bulldozer, front end loader, grader or tractor.
Firebreak designs
Firebreaks are normally required to be on the outer edge of a property and at least 3 metres wide with an additional horizontal clearance of half a metre on both sides plus a vertical clearance of 4 metres. However, the size of your property will determine if these measurements need to be increased. When constructing a firebreak, the size of fire fighting vehicles must be considered to ensure they have a path that connects to formal access routes, doesn’t come to a dead end plus has suitable space to turn around.
Firebreak requirements
It is imperative to ensure a firebreak is effective and for this reason, local governments issue fire-break notices advising the required dimensions. These notices can be issued at any time through the year under the Bush Fires Act 1954 (BF Act) or prior to the start of the summer bushfire season. Each local government determines their own minimum fire-break standards and how these standards apply to various property sizes.
Call ARMAC – Stump Grinding, Tree Removal and Yard Cleanup to have your firebreaks professionally constructed or maintained
Firebreaks are a job best left to Ray and his team of professionals who have the correct equipment and experience when it comes to constructing and maintain firebreaks. With competitive prices, expert advice and over 15 years industry experience, call Ray on 0448 442 477 for a FREE quote today.
The content in this article is general information. Please refer to dfes.wa.gov.au and speak to your local government for further information and requirements.
Trees on your property are visually pleasing and provide an abundance of shade, however as lovely as they are sometime you may need to have a tree removed. A tree can become a hazard when damaged, or it begins to die and has falling branches. A common assumption is removing a tree is a task anyone can tackle, however this is not the case.
Fully trained and with all relevant safety tickets and white cards, safety is of highest priority. Safety isn’t just ensuring the working area is safe, but extends to the surrounds too. ARMAC Stump Grinding will assess the whole area to ensure nothing is placed to close to come into contact with falling branches. Plus cordon off surrounding areas with cones and signage (if necessary) to prevent access. Safety clothing is also a must with staff dressed in safety clothing plus hard hats, safety glasses, gloves and ear protection.
As beautiful as leafy trees and green grass is, there is ongoing maintenance required. With trees, come falling leaves which need to be raked and cleared away plus 
Plant New Vegetation
Does your backyard have a certain 1980’s feel to it, complete with an assortment of large palm trees?
Armac Stump Grinding understand the growing cost of maintenance of your property and strive to keep their prices indicative of the work involved without compromising on customer service and workmanship. The size, location and situation surrounding the tree will determine the cost of the job, however Armac Stump Grinding are always fair and competitive with their pricing.
Whether a tree has fallen or been cut down to the stump, the trees roots will still be attached underground. Depending on the kind of tree it is the 
root system needing to be cut and digging the bulk of the stump and lifting the rest away with a crane. Once removed there will be a significant hole where the tree once was.
When you hire a landscaper or tree removalist to cut down trees on your property, the quoted price usually only includes the chopping down of the trees, not the 
Surrounding services, such as local water lines, power lines and amenity sources run in the ground, often not obvious to the property owner. These can be damaged if cutting equipment runs too close to them. Footpaths can be damaged if a stump is located at the front of a property, not to mention garden beds and fences that can be costly to replace if damaged by the vibration of large machinery or blades.
When there are
Losing Leaves from the Outside In
Taking care of trees and their stumps has a bit of science behind it. Trees come in different shapes, heights and have a range of stem and root systems. Having the right tools and equipment will be needed to remove the tree safely and efficiently. If you are having trees removed to plant new trees you need to think ahead.
It is important to keep in mind what maintenance of trees will be needed to the safeguard passing traffic, pedestrians, houses and fencing, depending on the location of where they are, have you considered the size the new trees will grow too, such as a small cottage block will not be suitable for a large tree with a big canopy.