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BAL Reports

Bushfire Attack Level
Assessments in Victoria

WHY YOU NEED A

BAL Report

In a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) and building a new home, extending, renovating, or building an office, studio, small second dwelling, carport, garage or shed? You may require a BAL Report.

 

A Bushfire Attack Level Assessment (BAL Report) measures the potential for ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact the building is likely to be exposed to in a bushfire event. 

 

We assess the vegetation, topography, distances to the vegetation up to 100 metres away, what you are building and where on your property to determine the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) your building will need to be designed and built to.

 

We are Fire Protection Association Australia members & BPAD Level 2 accredited.

 

Contact us now to discuss your project and get a quote, or continue reading for more information about BAL Reports.

MORE INFO

About BAL Reports

Bushfire Attack Level Assessment (BAL Report)

A Bushfire Attack Level Assessment (BAL Report) measures the potential for ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact a building is likely to be exposed to in a bushfire.

 

The purpose of a BAL Report is to provide appropriate construction requirements that improve protection of a building and its occupants in a bushfire event

 

The assessment is done using the Australian Standard for Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas (AS 3959:2018) and takes in to consideration the Relevant Fire Danger Index (FDI), the type of vegetation and topography within 100m of your development and the distances from the vegetation to the building.

 

Once a BAL Report has been done, your building designer or architect will use this to specify the building materials needed, your builder will know what bushfire prevention construction is required, and your building surveyor will require this report to be able to issue a building permit.


There are some exemptions to needing a BAL Report, these exemptions can be based on the type of the building work and distance from other buildings.

Bushfire Attack Levels
Five houses in the path of a bushfire, demonstrating the different bushfire attack levels that houses can be subject to

BAL 12.5

Sections 3 & 5

​

Ember attack

radiant heat

below 12.5kW/m2.

BAL 19

Sections 3 & 6

​

Increasing ember attack and windborne debris, radiant heat between 12.5kW/m2

and 19kW/m2.

BAL 29

Sections 3 & 7

 

Increasing ember attack and windborne debris, radiant heat between 19kW/m2

and 29kW/m2.

BAL 40

Sections 3 & 8

​

Increasing ember attack and windborne debris, radiant heat between 29kW/m2

and 40kW/m2. Exposure to flames

from a fire front likely.

BAL FZ

Sections 3 & 9

​

Direct exposure to flames, radiant heat and embers from

the fire front.

Construction Requirements of AS 3959:2018

The purpose of a Bushfire Attack Level Assessment is to provide appropriate construction requirements that improve protection of a building and its occupants in a bushfire event from potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame in a bushfire. 

 

When building to a BAL rating, all buildings will need to meet the construction requirements of Section 3 of AS3959:2018 (General Construction Requirements) and the BAL report will determine which additional construction requirements are required (Sections 4-9 of AS3959:2018). 

 

In AS3959:2018, there are 6 possible BAL options:

  • BAL LOW* (Section 4) - not an option in Victoria

  • BAL 12.5  (Section 5)

  • BAL 19  (Section 6)

  • BAL 29  (Section 7)

  • BAL 40  (Section 8)

  • BAL FZ  (Section 9)

 

* The Victorian Building Regulations state that any development in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) must be built to a minimum of BAL 12.5.

 

The greater the bushfire threat to your development, the higher the BAL rating needs to be to protect life and property. As the BAL increases so do the costs of construction, however, many BAL related improvements can also increase the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. 

 

Refer to our AS 3959 webpage for reference guides on BAL construction requirements.

Bushfire Safety & Leaving Early

It is important to note that meeting these standards provides the minimum protection for occupants who may be sheltering inside while the fire front passes, however, cannot guarantee the safety of a building or it’s occupants. 

 

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) advise to create a Bushfire Survival Plan and stress to leave early on high fire danger days - never wait to receive a warning. 

Servicing all of Victoria
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