Bushfire Attack Level Assessments
A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment is a means of measuring the severity of a buildings potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact in a bushfire event, and thereby determining the construction measures required for the dwelling.
The BAL assessment takes into account several factors including the Fire Danger Index, the slope of the land, types of vegetation and how close it is to the proposed building.
Once a BAL is calculated, building construction requirements can be calculated from the relevant sections of the Australian standard to ensure the correct resistance to bushfires. These requirements take into account the BAL rating for attack from burning embers, radiant heat and flame contact.
The Bushfire Attack Levels are broken down into 6 categories:
BAL Low
There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements
BAL 12.5
Ember Attack
BAL 19
Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux
BAL 29
Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux
BAL 40
Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux with the increased likelihood of exposure to flames
BAL Flame Zone
Direct exposure to flames from the fire front in addition to heat flux and ember attack
Each one of these can add costs to your building costs, so it is important to get a qualified person to prepare a report that recognises the most cost effective method of assessment. To ensure you are getting the best result, Sustainability WA BAL assessments are carried out by FPAA accredited consultants.
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