Fibreglass sheeting and tanks hard up against the house are a disaster waiting to happen
A patio roof with fibreglass sheeting burnt through in several sections
Fibreglass sheeting burns readily, and because it's usually fixed directly onto a structure or sitting right against the house, it carries fire straight to the building.
A fibreglass water tank sited close against a house wall
Risks
Fibreglass sheeting burns readily and can carry fire directly into the roof or wall structure it's attached to
A patio or carport roof with fibreglass panels sitting hard against the house can burn through and expose the adjoining wall or window
Fibreglass water tanks sited close to the house are vulnerable to radiant heat failure, and a rupturing tank can break open the wall of the house right next to it
A combustible platform or edging under a fibreglass tank, such as treated pine adds fuel of its own and can be enough on its own to destroy the tank even in a fairly modest ember attack
Fixes
Where you can, replace fibreglass sheeting on patios, carports and skylights. Swapping to polycarbonate is a dramatic improvement, though polycarbonate has its own weak points too, so check our separate Polycarbonate fix as well
Replace fibreglass water tanks with a steel or concrete alternative, especially any tank sited close to the house
If replacement isn't possible right now, keep fibreglass sheeting and tanks as far from the house as you can, and keep gutters and the surrounding area clear of fuel
Never sit a tank, of any material, on a combustible platform like treated pine, use a non combustible base instead
If you can't replace fibreglass sheeting before fire season, a temporary metal shield, such as a corrugated sheet bolted over the top, adds some protection in the meantime
These are small fixes, and they genuinely help. Replacing fibreglass sheeting or a fibreglass tank is one of the more straightforward practical steps you can take to address a weak link around your home.
