Home Building Hub podcast, industry experts Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan discuss an important aspect of home building—Bushfire Attack Level (BAL). The episode titled "What Does Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Mean in Your Quote?" provides a detailed overview of BAL, its significance, and how it impacts homeowners and builders.
BAL is a system used to measure the severity of a building's potential exposure to bushfire hazards such as ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. The BAL rating assigned to a property helps determine the specific measures that need to be implemented during construction to comply with bushfire safety standards.
The episode covers the six levels of BAL, ranging from BAL-LOW, which requires minimal additional precautions, to BAL-FZ (Flame Zone), which necessitates the most stringent measures due to the high risk of direct flame contact. Each level outlines different building requirements such as upgrades to materials and design features to ensure the safety and durability of a home in a bushfire-prone area.
For instance, homes rated at BAL-12.5 may require adjustments such as sealing weep holes, applying anti-bonding around the roof, upgrading doors, installing metal mesh flywire screens, and reinforcing windows with thicker glass. As the BAL level increases, additional protective measures are necessary, such as the use of metal framing and tin roofing at higher levels.
The hosts emphasised the importance of collaborating with builders and consultants to ensure compliance with the relevant standards. Builders should conduct checks to identify whether a property is within a bushfire zone and include BAL compliance costs in their quotes. It’s also crucial to note that BAL zones may change over time, so continuous monitoring and adjustments may be necessary.
While the implementation of BAL measures may result in additional costs, Brennan pointed out that these measures offer homeowners added protection and may even benefit them in other ways, such as reducing dust ingress. He also reminded listeners that the BAL requirements were established following the catastrophic Black Saturday fires to protect lives and properties in bushfire-prone areas.
For more information, Brennan suggested consulting builders or using online tools such as MapShare in Victoria to check whether a property is located in a bushfire zone.
The episode provides valuable insights for anyone involved in building a new home in areas susceptible to bushfires, helping them understand the nuances of BAL and how to navigate building standards for safer homes.
