Defining the bushfire attack level terms

Posted on by Bushfire Attack Level Reports Admin

WA BAL Report are committed to preventing loss of property and life from bushfires. WA BAL Report conducts bushfire attack level assessments and bushfire attack level reports to determine your bushfire attack level rating.

However, WA BAL Report understands you may be unclear on what all the bushfire attack level terms mean. Today, WA BAL Report will shed some light on the definitions of BAL terms.

  • Australian Standard 3959 (AS3959) – Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas: this is the Australian Standard applicable for buildings in a bushfire-prone area, covering all construction and retro-fitting requirements based on the BAL Rating of the property
  • BAL: Bushfire Attack Level is set out in the Australian Standard 3959: Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (AS3959), as referenced in the Building Code of Australia
  • BAL Assessment: this is an assessment prepared in a manner and form set out in AS3959 to determine a BAL. The government recommends that BAL assessments are conducted by accredited Level 1 BAL Assessors
  • BAL Contour Map: this is a scale map of the subject lots illustrating the potential radiant heat impacts and associated indicative BAL ratings in reference to any classified vegetation remaining within 100 metres of the assessment area after the development is complete. The purpose of the BAL Contour Map is to identify land suitable for development based on the indicative BAL. It is recommended that the BAL Contour Map is prepared by an accredited Bushfire Planning Practitioner
  • BAL Rating: this is the level of bushfire attack applicable to the site and ranges from BAL Low to BAL Flame Zone
  • BAL Report: this is the report generated from the BAL Assessment that is conducted, to determine the site’s BAL Rating
  • Bushfire: an unplanned fire burning in vegetation and includes grass fires, forest fires and scrub fires both with and without a suppression objective
  • Bushfire Hazard Level (BHL) assessment: this provides a measure of the likely intensity of a bushfire and the likely level of bushfire attack on a site determined by categorising and mapping land as having a low, moderate or extreme BHL. It is recommended that the BHL assessment is conducted by an accredited Bushfire Planning Practitioner
  • Bushfire Management Plan: this document sets out the short, medium and long-term risk management strategies for the life of the development. It is recommended that the Bushfire Management Plan be carried out by an accredited Bushfire Planning Practitioner
  • Bushfire prone area: this is an area that has been designated by the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner as an area that is subject, or likely to be subject, to bushfires. These areas are identified on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas and can be found on the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website at https://maps.slip.wa.gov.au/landgate/bushfireprone/
  • DFES: Department of Fire and Emergency Services – the government department that coordinates emergency services for a range of natural disasters and emergency incidents threatening life and property, including bushfires
  • Level 1 BAL Assessor: a person who holds Level 1 BAL Assessor accreditation under the Western Australian Bushfire Accreditation Framework – accredited professionals are to provide services that are limited to performing an assessment of the appropriate BAL using Method 1 (simplified method)
  • Level 2 BAL Assessor: a person who is a Bushfire Planning Practitioner – prescriptive. The simplified method is still used but can be combined with preparation of acceptable solutions for planning developments with no deviations. This accreditation is not yet available in WA
  • Level 3 BAL Assessor: a person who is a Bushfire Planning Practitioner – performance. This qualification involves a graduate diploma in Bushfire protection and permits the use of planning documentation, some alternate bushfire modelling, specific project advice and Performance Based Solution Management Plans. This accreditation is not yet available in WA.

For more information

WA BAL Report are experts at conducting Bushfire Attack Level Assessments, Bushfire Attack Level Reports and bushfire prevention strategies in general in Perth and Western Australia. For more information, contact our friendly staff on 08 6114 9356 or at admin@wabalreport.com.au.

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