Davey pumps are built to deliver reliable performance in bushfire season
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Water should be ready to go when you are, which is why, with bushfire season fast approaching, you should prepare your home and property with a Davey Firefighter pump.
When it comes to protecting your property, don't leave it to chance. The Davey Firefighter pump is built tough and is designed to deliver reliable performance, even in the most challenging conditions, giving you peace of mind and safety when it matters most.
Davey Firefighter pumps are engineered for powerful, reliable performance in bushfire protection and emergency water transfer applications.
Proudly Australian-made, the range includes high-performance petrol and diesel engine-driven pumps, as well as the Remote Start Firefighter MKII (which can be activated by SMS), offering fast response when operating from a distance.
Designed for tough Australian conditions, each pump features corrosion-resistant construction and high-pressure output, making them ideal for rural properties, farms, and fire-prone areas.
Whether you need a dependable fire pump for home defence or critical water movement, Davey delivers proven reliability when every second counts.
READINESS IS KEY
Your Davey Firefighter pump must be in top working order. Regular maintenance, such as fuel checks, oil changes, and ensuring clean air access, will help your pump perform when you need it most.
Preparing your Davey Firefighter pump and having a clear fire action plan are essential steps to protect your property and loved ones. Follow these tips to make sure your pump is ready when you need it:
- Ensure all members of the household know how to locate and operate attachments like inlet and outlet hoses to the fire pump
- Petrol has a limited life and can become stale. Change the fuel every two months by running the pump or draining it of fuel. Better still, use a fuel stabiliser, which will dramatically extend the life of the fuel (must be added when new fuel is purchased)
- Diesel fuel has a longer shelf life than standard petrol, but generally needs to be stored at low ambient temperatures. Expect diesel fuel to last 12 months or longer at an ambient temperature of 20 degrees, or six months at an ambient temperature of 30 degrees
- Engine manufacturers offer their own specially branded engine oils to best suit their engines. Synthetic multi-grade engine oil is not a suitable alternative. It is important to follow the manufacturer's engine lubrication recommendations
- Run the engine regularly to ensure oil is well distributed around the moving parts. This provides the best lubrication and a longer working life
- Ensure your pump set has adequate clean air access: Check and replace the air cleaner or filter per engine manufacturer recommendations
- Keep the engine cool by protecting the pump from radiant heat in a flame-proof enclosure; otherwise, add a mist spray around the pump or its enclosure to aid cooling and humidify the air
- Regular checks will ensure fuel lines are in good condition and the recoil starter works. A regular service schedule is invaluable
- Investigate and maintain the water system
- Check for leaves, debris and sticks that can impede the inlet system. For permanent installations, a foot valve and strainer at the end of the suction line can overcome obstructions
- Check for air leaks and that all gaskets and seals are in good order
- An underground ring main installed around your property with durable hydrant or standpipe outlets can give you much greater coverage
- Crucially, a well-rehearsed and documented fire plan is critical to personal survival
A CASE OF BUSHFIRE DEFENCE IN ACTION
For close to 30 years, Melbourne's Sam Cox has been creating stunning natural landscapes, blending the beauty of the Australian bush with functional landscape designs.
While designing his own home, Mr Cox installed a Remote Start Firefighter MKII pump, providing a reliable water supply to his garden and house sprinklers - all remotely controlled from his mobile phone.
It's an idea that has caught the attention of homeowners, with an Instagram post featuring the Davey Firefighter pump and rooftop sprinkler system recently going viral. The post, which was shared around the time of the devastating wildfires in LA, struck a chord with thousands of people concerned about bushfire preparedness, sparking important discussions about how technology can help protect homes in fire-prone areas.
While landscaping is often about aesthetics, Mr Cox sees fire protection as a critical part of the conversation, especially in bushfire-prone regions.
He encourages his clients to educate themselves and seek expert advice from organisations like the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to develop a solid fire plan.
"We create beautiful bush gardens, but we also have to acknowledge that they come with a level of fire risk," Mr Cox said.
"Black Saturday was a real wake-up call for Australia. A number of my clients went through it. Some lost their homes, others saved theirs using sprinkler systems. It changed the way I think about landscaping in fire-prone areas," he said.
"I was surprised by how many people in the comments had never thought about using rooftop sprinklers as a defence mechanism.
"We believe that having our garden close to our living space is worth the risk. We manage the risk as best we can and accept that we could lose the buildings. This is a considered choice we have made."
Over the years, Mr Cox has tested many different fire protection solutions, but what made Davey Firefighter stand out was its remote start capability, a feature he describes as "a game-changer".
"After Black Saturday, the advice is simple: leave early. With the Davey Firefighter's remote start, you can leave and still have a system that may reduce the risk to your property.
"The SMS-activated remote start was a major point of discussion in the Instagram comments. Some people raised concerns about what happens if the mobile network goes down during a fire event.
"That's where the heat sensor backup is so important. If you lose connection, the system is designed to still kick in when the temperature reaches a critical level. It's not foolproof, nothing is, but it's the best option I've seen yet."
Many of Mr Cox's clients are integrating a Davey Firefighter pump into their irrigation systems, ensuring it is regularly used and maintained year-round.
"I tell my clients, 'You ideally don't want to be there when a fire arrives, so having the ability to start this pump anytime remotely is critical'. If they're using it regularly for irrigation, they know it works. The last thing you want is to try and start a pump that hasn't run in years and find out it won't go."
He said that beyond fire risk reduction, the system's versatility made it an invaluable investment for many property owners.
"The ability to use the pump for multiple purposes, whether it's garden irrigation, water transfer, or bushfire defence, means it's not just sitting there waiting for an emergency. It's part of their everyday property setup."
ABOUT DAVEY
For nearly a century, Davey has provided dependable pump and water solutions across Australia and beyond.
From household water pressure and fire protection to irrigation and large-scale commercial systems, Davey is built on reliability.
All Davey Firefighter pumps are now backed by a five-year warranty.
For expert advice and service you can depend on, visit the Davey Water Solutions website daveywater.com or contact your local Davey master dealer for further information.
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