Citation

Dowling VP. Fire Safety J. 1994; 22(2): 145-168.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

The ignition and burning of timber bridges in bushfires was studied so that means of protecting bridges could be evaluated. Data was obtained via interviews with witnesses, and through laboratory and field experiments. It was found that the most common mode of ignition of timber bridges was the accumulation of wind-blown embers in gaps resulting from bridge design, and in crevices occurring in weathered timber, with the advanced age of the timber in the bridges facilitating ignition. It was concluded that the generally poor condition of the timber, and the fact that multiple ignitions occurred on the bridge decks, made protection of bridges solely by protective coatings difficult. Whilst such treatment can reduce the number of ignitions, extinguishing ignitions soon after they occur is the surest way of preventing destruction of timber bridges in bushfires.