BAL Ratings are a method which has been adopted to limit damage to buildings in the event of a bush fire to comply with The Building Code of Australia performance requirements. The level of risk is determined by many factors including proximity to trees and slope of the land. Ratings are from LOW (no provisions needed) to FZ (signifigant building provisions to reduce the risk of damage)
BAL provisions can signifigantly increase the cost of building, and it is important to have the house inspected to ensure that the provions are adeqaute and have been properly installed. Thats where SHS can help!
Buildingsmust be constructed in accordance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
The BCA states:
P2.3.4 Bushfire areas
A Class 1 building or a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building that is constructed in a designated bushfire prone area must, to the degree necessary, be designed and constructed to reduce the risk of ignition from a bushfire, appropriate to the—
(a) potential for ignition caused by burning embers, radiant heat or flame generated by a bushfire; and
(b) intensity of the bushfire attack on the building.
And
Part 3.7.4.0
Performance Requirement P2.3.4 is satisfied for—
(a) a Class 1 building; or
(b) a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building,
located in a designated bushfire prone area if it is constructed in accordance with—
(c) AS 3959; or
(d) NASH Standard 'Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas'.