A new video by Resilience NSW shows the results of Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC research investigating heatwaves and building codes.
Featuring lead researcher Prof Alan March (University of Melbourne), the video explains that over half of all natural hazards fatalities in Australia between 1967 and 2013 were caused by heat. By researching past heat-related fatalities around Australia, the research team determined that a building’s design and construction is a significant factor affecting peoples’ chances of surviving a heatwave. However, national building codes don’t currently take heatwaves into consideration. The research has identified the opportunity to review the National Construction Code to recognise the risks associated with heatwaves.
Find out more here.