In response to devastating bushfires in Victoria in 2009, Australian Standard 3959 was updated and republished AS3959:2009. The Building Code of Australia (BCA) referenced the new Standard on the 1st May 2010.
The BCA and amended AS3959 cover all aspects of the external built environment, including windows and doors. AS3959 outlines different construction practices and building materials for five bushfire hazard levels. The old standard had 4 levels of bushfire attack, the new Standard has 6 levels of severity expressed as Bushfire Attack Levels (BALs)
Click one of the links below to see the BAL Ratings of the Southern Star Aluminium or Canterbury Timber product ranges:
| Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) |
Description of predicted bushfire attack and levels of exposure |
Risk |
| BAL-Low | There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements | Very low |
| BAL-12.5 | Ember attack | Low |
| BAL-19 | Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignite by windborne embers together with radiant heat exposure of between 12.5 and 19kW/m2 | Moderate |
| BAL-29 | Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers, together with radiant heat exposure of between 19 and 29 kW/m2 | High |
| BAL-40 | Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing radiant heat exposure of between 29 and 40 kW/m2, with the increased likelihood of exposure to flames | Very high |
| BAL-FZ (flame zone) | Direct exposure to flames from fire front in addition to radiant heat exposure of greater than 40 kW/m2 and ember attack | Extreme |
To determine your home’s BAL rating and any special requirements for building in your area, consult your local council, government or local fire authority.
