ENGR 6001 Bushfire Design and Climate Change

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Coordinator Grahame Douglas Opens in new window

Description This subject considers the concept of ‘design bushfire’ and the impact of climate change upon varying weather and climate conditions in Australia and globally. The potential implications of climate change on bushfire behaviour and bushfire design are developed. Students will be introduced to the concept of “Bushfire Protection Design Guidelines” including the concepts of Bushfire Design Brief and Bushfire Design Subsystems, as well as the Bushfire Verification Method adopted by the National Construction Code. Students will be able to calculate recurrence conditions for bushfire behaviour and bushfire weather conditions using extreme values techniques. Students will compare different bushfire behaviour models and their implications for future climatic conditions in developing performance solutions for bushfire protection. The role of landscape fires and fire generated winds will also be considered in the context of planning and building for bushfire protection. The role of traditional Aboriginal burning practices and culture also forms an important aspect of this subject.

School Eng, Design & Built Env

Discipline Fire Technology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 6 subject

Equivalent Subjects -

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Essay 1000 words ( 2 x 500 words) 20 N Individual
Case Study 1500 words 30 N Individual
Report 1500 words 30 Y Individual
Essay 1000 words (2 x 500 words) 20 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

Australian Building Codes Board 2021, Bushfire Verification Method handbook, Australian Building Codes Board, <https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/resource/handbook/bushfire-verification-method-handbook>.

Teaching Periods