WA BAL Report refers to and complies with the performance requirements for construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. A Class 1 building or Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building that is constructed in a bushfire-prone area must, to the degree necessary, be designed and constructed to reduce the risk of ignition from bushfire, appropriate to the:
- potential for ignition caused by burning embers, radiant heat or flame generated by a bushfire; and
- intensity of the bushfire attack on the building
This performance requirement is satisfied if the building is constructed in accordance with either:
- Australian Standard AS3959-2009; or
- NASH Standard ‘Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas’
WA BAL Report today discusses the NASH Standard ‘Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas’. NASH stands for the National Association of Steel-framed Housing and is the industry association for light steel structural framing systems for residential and commercial construction. The NASH Standard consists of 2 solutions, one for covering properties with a bushfire attack level of BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 and another more stringent set of requirements covering properties that are BAL-Flame Zone. The BAL is determined based on a BAL Report.
The NASH Standard requirements for BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 are:
- Roofing must be steel cladding
- External wall cladding may be constructed from masonry, steel or non-combustible material eg. fibre cement
- All framing must be steel and combustible items must not be used in the roof space and wall cavities
- Doors and windows must meet the requirements of AS3959 for the appropriate BAL.
The NASH Standard requirements for BAL-Flame Zone are:
- Roof solution requires a layer of reflective foil backed glass wool insulation blanket be installed under the roof sheeting
- External walls may be masonry veneer or steel cladding. Where steel cladding is used, a plasterboard thermal barrier must be attached to the wall studs to provide additional protection.
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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