Australian Standard AS 3959 is a critical document that provides guidelines for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. The standard aims to improve the resilience of buildings against bushfires, thereby enhancing the safety of occupants and reducing property damage.
Key aspects of AS 3959 include:
Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL): The standard defines different levels of bushfire attack, ranging from BAL-LOW to BAL-FZ (Flame Zone). These levels are determined based on factors such as the region's climate, vegetation type, and proximity to potential fire sources.
Construction Requirements: Depending on the assessed BAL, AS 3959 specifies construction requirements for various building elements, including walls, roofs, windows, and doors. These requirements are designed to minimize the risk of ignition from embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact.
Materials and Design: The standard outlines acceptable materials and design practices that enhance a building's ability to withstand bushfire conditions. This includes the use of non-combustible materials, ember guards, and specific design features that reduce vulnerability.
Site Assessment: AS 3959 provides a methodology for assessing a site’s bushfire risk, which involves evaluating the surrounding vegetation, topography, and potential fire paths.
Maintenance and Landscaping: The standard also emphasizes the importance of ongoing maintenance and appropriate landscaping to reduce fire risk, such as clearing debris and managing vegetation around the property.
AS 3959 is an essential tool for architects, builders, and property owners in bushfire-prone areas, ensuring that new constructions are better equipped to handle the threat of bushfires.
The standard categorizes bushfire risk into six levels, ranging from BAL-LOW to BAL-FZ (Furnace). Each level corresponds to the potential ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact a building may face during a bushfire.
To comply with AS 3959, builders and designers must consider several factors, including the building's location, materials used, and construction techniques. For example, they may need to use non-combustible materials, install fire-resistant windows and doors, and ensure adequate ventilation to prevent the build-up of embers and smoke.
By following the guidelines set out in AS 3959, builders and designers can help ensure that buildings in bushfire-prone areas are as safe as possible during bushfire events. This can help protect lives and property and reduce the overall impact of bushfires on communities.
Bushfire Attack Levels (BALs)
A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) is a measurement of the intensity of radiant heat from a bushfire, measured in kilowatts per square meter (kW/m2) . The standard explains BALs in detail, providing a framework for assessing the risk of bushfire attack on buildings .
Access and Applicability
The standard is applicable to all buildings in bushfire-prone areas, and its requirements vary according to the BAL . In 2018, Standards Australia made AS 3959:2018 accessible to all Australians at no cost, to promote compliance and safety .
Related Standards
AS 3959 is part of a suite of standards related to construction and safety in bushfire-prone areas, including AS/NZS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays .
