Bushfires are a threat we have to live with in Australia and other countries around the world. Planning controls apply to many aspects of how land can be used and what has to be considered when building. A large component of building in bushfire prone areas are windows and doors and strict regulations apply.

Different BAL-Levels

The six levels of severity of Bushfire Attack Levels are: BAL-low, BAL-12.5, BAL-19, followed by BAL-29, high BAL-40 and extremely high BAL-FZ (Flame Zone). If your planned building is in a Bushfire Prone Area, you will need a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment.

Each BAL-level measures a building’s potential exposure to a bushfire and factors such as Fire Danger Index, slope of the land, existing vegetation, and proximity to other buildings are taken into account. Building materials have to be suitable for your particular BAL.

BAL levels

Source: https://www.bushfireprone.com.au/

Fire Danger Level

A Fire Danger Index shows the fire danger level. Oxygen, heat and fuel are the three essential ingredients for fire in a bushfire situation; also topography, weather and fuel play a part with direction, speed and intensity.

Bushfire Danger

Source: https://research.csiro.au/bushfire/assessing-bushfire-hazards/hazard-identification/fire-danger-index/

Australian Standards

The Australian Standard AS 3959:2018 (earlier version AS 3959:2009) specifies requirements for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas in order to improve their resistance to bushfire attack from burning embers, radiant heat, flame contact and combinations of the three attack forms.

Windows and doors for the higher levels of BAL-40 and BAL-FZ require the products to be tested and approved to the relevant Australian Standards: 

  • Paarhammer BAL-40 products were tested to AS1530.8.1-2007, and comply with AS3959-2009 and AS3959-2018
  • Paarhammer BAL-FZ products were tested and approved to AS1530.8.2-2007, and comply with AS3959-2009 and AS3959-2018 without the need for shutters
  • Paarhammer BAL-FZ products were tested and approved to AS1530.4; this is the test for -/30/-minute products for use without shutters, but a -/30/- minute product can only be used in BAL-FZ with limitations. Please see New Product 30 min BAL-FZ for further information. 

Get peace of mind with Paarhammer Bushfire Safe Range of windows and doors, tested, approved and compliant for all BAL ratings including Flame Zone (FZ) for use without shutters.

Ready to talk Bushfire Safe windows and doors? Contact us.