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A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Introduction
Contents FOLLOWING THE DEVASTATING BUSHFIRES OF FEBRUARY 2009, MANY PEOPLE WHO WERE
NOT LIVING IN THE AFFECTED AREAS OR WHO SUFFERED MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE ARE
While your response to each of these elements will
REASSESSING THEIR PREPAREDNESS.
Flooring systems depend upon your circumstances, each should be
Introduction 3
T he introduction of building regulations that require
consideration of bushre protection measures to
Australian Standard 3959-2009 (AS 3959) mean that
considered in developing an appropriate bushre
strategy. This guide is provided to assist with
retrotting of existing homes only and is not intended
Is Retrotting Mandatory? 4
Walls and Fascias residents who are rebuilding or renovating now have a to be a comprehensive bushre assessment or
Bushre Risk 5 clear direction on how to increase protection to their compliance advice. More information relating to steps
homes. However, the majority of residences in bushre 1 to 3 can be found in the CFAs FireReady Kit.
Bushre Attack Level (BAL) 6
prone areas pre-date those regulations, meaning existing This retrot guide only applies for categories up to
Cost & Implementation Guide 8 Windows (including skylights) houses are unlikely to achieve the increased levels of BAL 29. BAL 40 and BAL FZ are considered to be very
bushre protection delivered by the new Standard. high to extreme bushre risk and therefore homes in
Retrot provisions relating 10 The Building Commission and Country Fire these categories are not usually suitable for retrot
to ember attack Authority (CFA) have joined together to provide upgrades. See page 25 for more information if your
External Doors practical advice to those who wish to upgrade their home is in these categories.
Retrot provisions for radiant heat 16
exposure corresponding to BAL-LOW existing homes to be better protected from bushres. The information contained within this guide
A range of options exist and this guide is divided into and advice from Registered Building Practitioners will
Retrot provisions for radiant heat 16 two parts; retrot for generic ember protection and help you decide whether you retrot your existing
exposure corresponding to BAL-12.5 retrot protection for various Bushre Attack Levels home and to what extent. You should consult
Vents and Weepholes
(BAL), based upon the Standard. with experts in this eld, use Registered Building
Retrot provisions for radiant heat 18
Although this guide is designed to improve the Practitioners (where required) and obtain three quotes.
exposure corresponding to BAL-19
performance of homes when subjected to bushre For other relevant bushre references and
Retrot provisions for radiant heat 20 attack there can be no guarantee that a building will resources visit:
Roofs
exposure corresponding to BAL-29 survive a bushre event. This is substantially due to www.cfa.vic.gov.au
the unpredictable nature and behaviour of re and the www.buildingcommission.com.au
Retrot provisions for radiant heat 25
difculties associated with extreme weather conditions.
exposure corresponding to
BAL-40 & direct ame BAL-FZ While this guide identies available construction Content from AS 3959 has been reproduced with
Eaves, Gutters and Downpipes
protection methods as per AS 3959, it should be permission from SAI Global under Licence
Sprinkler systems 26 clearly understood that such building enhancements 1006-C152. Copies of the Standard can be
are complementary to good site preparation and purchased online at www.saiglobal.com
Private Bushre Shelters 27 vegetation management in the context of your
(Bushre bunkers) Unenclosed external structures
Denitions 28
connected to the house (carports,
decks, verandas, pergolas etc)
bushre survival plan.
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Bushre
Radiant Heat Exposure Description of predicted bushre attack
Attack level
(AS 3959) and levels of exposure
(BAL)
The risk is very low, radiant heat on the building is insignicant to warrant
BAL LOW Insignicant
specic construction requirements, however, ember attack may still occur
BAL 12.5 0 to 12.5 kW/m2 Primarily risk of ember attack; risk of radiant heat is considered low
6 7
C O S T & I M P CL OE N
M TE N
E N
T A
T T
S I O N G U I D E C O S T & I M P L E M E N T A T I O N G U I D E
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Cost & Implementation Examples of improvements that can be retrotted to existing homes:
Owners are also cautioned that existing buildings may contain materials
made from asbestos or have painted surfaces that contain lead. Low Cost Moderate Cost High Cost
These materials should be handled in accordance with appropriate
guidelines. Depending on the construction of your home,
some retrotting measures will be more or less Sealing all small gaps around the Installing shutters or metal yscreens Replacing wall, fascia, roof or oor
expensive than others. house with appropriate joining strips to doors and windows to BAL 29 materials with non-combustible or
or a exible silicon based sealant bushre resistant materials
Installing sarking behind weatherboards Application of product to timber to Installing sarking behind
or other external cladding when they increase its resistance to re weatherboards or other external
are being replaced for maintenance or cladding when they otherwise
other reasons would not have been replaced
Installing sarking beneath existing Installing a sprinkler system Installing sarking beneath existing
roong when it is being replaced for roong when it otherwise would
maintenance or other reasons not have been replaced
Replacing or overcladding parts Separate external structures within Replacing glass with toughened or
of door frames less than 400mm six metres of the house with a laminated safety glass
above the ground, decks and similar 60/60/60 re resistant wall
elements or ttings with bushre
resisting timber or metal etc.
Installing weather strips, draught Replace decking with Installing a private bushre shelter
excluders or draught seals at the non-combustible material
base of side-hung doors
Sealing vents and weepholes in Replace external doors with Installing tested shutters or metal
external walls with mesh of corrosion- non-combustible or solid timber doors yscreens to doors and windows for
resistant steel, bronze or aluminium with minimum thickness of 35mm BAL 40 and FZ
Sealing around roong and roof Enclose suboor with Replace overhead glazing with
penetrations non-combustible material 'Grade A' safety glass
8 9
E M B E R A T T A C K I N T R O D U C T I O N
Retrot
provisions
relating to
ember attack
EMBER ATTACK CAN OCCUR OVER relate to ember attack. This is considered to Apply sarking-type material over the outer
represent a minimum level of bushre resistance face of the building frame prior to re-xing
DISTANCES GREATER THAN 100 METRES for homes. of any external cladding. Note: sarking
Walls and Fascias
FROM THE FIRE FRONT. ANY GAPS, CRACKS BAL-40 and direct ame BAL-FZ are not should not be considered a replacement
referenced here, see page 25 for more information. Up to and including BAL 19 for sealing gaps but is useful as a backup if
OR AREAS WHERE EMBERS AND FUEL CAN Replace or cover external surfaces of walls that gaps occur.
are less than 400mm above the ground, decks,
LODGE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE
carport roofs, awnings and similar elements or
HOMES RESISTANCE TO BUSHFIRE.
BAL 29
ttings having an angle less than 18 degrees to
the horizontal and extending greater than Replace or cover external walls at all
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Where windows are not protected with external > A solid timber door with a minimum thickness hung doors (gaps to the perimeter should
screens or bushre shutters: of 35mm for the rst 400mm above the generally be less than 3mm).
Glazing less than 400mm above the ground, threshold; or Protect external sliding doors with one of the following:
decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar > A hollow core door with a non-combustible External screens (see windows); or
elements should be 4mm (or thicker) kickplate for the rst 400mm above the Bushre shutters (see windows); or
Grade A safety glass2 ; and threshold; or Neither of the above, if:
Glazing above 400mm may be annealed glass; and > A fully-framed glazed door with the frame > Any glazing within the door is Grade A
External screens should be provided to openable constructed of a bushre resisting timber as safety glass; and
portions of the window; or specied in AS 3959 Appendix F; or a timber > The frame of the door and any glazing within
Glass blocks may be used for glazing of any species specied in AS 3959 Appendix E2. the door is made of the following:
height, without screens. External hardware to doors required for Bushre resisting timber as specied in
Where tted, check that your bushre shutters opening should be metal. AS 3959 Appendix F; or
comply with AS 3959 and are made from: Glazing in doors should comply with the A timber species as specied in AS 3959
Non-combustible materials; or glazing requirements for windows. Appendix E; or
Bushre resisting timber as specied in (see page 12 of this brochure) Metal; or
AS 3959 Appendix F; or Parts of door frames less than 400mm above Metal-reinforced PVC-U.
A timber species as specied in AS 3959 the ground, decks, carport roofs, awnings and Alter vehicle access (garage) doors with the following:
Appendix E; or similar elements or ttings having an angle less All parts of doors less than 400mm above the
A combination of the above. than 18 degrees to the horizontal and extending ground level should be made from:
Where tted, screens for windows and doors greater than 110mm in width should be made > Non-combustible materials; or
should comply with AS 3959 and have a mesh of the following: > Fibre cement external cladding with a
or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of > Bushre resisting timber as specied in 6mm minimum thickness; or
2mm and made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze AS 3959 Appendix F; or > Bushre resisting timber as specied in
or aluminium. Gaps around the perimeter of the > A timber species as specied in AS 3959 AS 3959 Appendix F; or
screen to the building should not exceed 3mm. Appendix E; or > A timber species as specied in AS 3959
The frame supporting the mesh or perforated > Metal; or Appendix E2; or
sheet should be: > Metal-reinforced PVC-U; or > A combination of the above.
Metal; or > A combination of the above. Panel lift, tilt and side-hung doors should be tted
Windows (Including skylights) Bushre resisting timber as specied in AS 3959 Weather strips, draught excluders or draught with suitable weather-strips, draught excluders,
Up to and including BAL 29 Appendix F; or seals could be installed at the base of side draught seals or guide tracks (as appropriate), with
Protect window assemblies with: A timber species as specied in AS 3959 a maximum gap size of 3mm.
External screens 1 ; or Appendix E; or 1 External screens are required in addition to Roller doors could have guide tracks with a
Bushre shutters. A combination of the above. other measures for BAL 29 and above. maximum gap area of 3mm and be tted with
If located less than 400mm above the ground: 2 Glazing thickness increases progressively a nylon brush in contact with the door.
decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar for BAL 19 and above. Doors should not include ventilation slots.
elements or ttings having an angle less
than 18 degrees to the horizontal and
extending greater than 110mm in width
should be made from:
Bushre resisting timber as specied in
External Doors
AS 3959 Appendix F; or
A timber species as specied in AS 3959 Up to and including BAL 29
Appendix E; or Protect side hung external doors with one
Metal; or of the following:
Metal-reinforced PVC-U; or External screens (see Windows); or
A combination of the above. Bushre shutters (see Windows); or
External hardware to windows required for Neither of the above if the door is:
opening should be metal. > Non-combustible; or
12 13
E M B E R A T T A C K
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for
protection from a bushre better protection from a bushre
Retrot provisions for radiant heat > The above provisions exclude control joints,
suboor vents; and penetrations
Windows
(including skylights) Roofs
Construction Construction BAL
recommendation
as per ember attack
recommendation as per
ember attack could be
12.5
could be considered. considered.
16 17
B A L - 1 9 B A L - 1 9
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Unenclosed suboor areas should have support Timber or steel-framed walls that are sarked Where tted, bushre shutters should comply with
posts, columns, stumps, piers and poles on the outside of the frame and clad with: AS 3959 and be made from:
constructed of: > Fibre cement external cladding, with a Non-combustible materials; or
Non-combustible material, or 6mm minimum thickness; or Bushre resisting timber as specied in AS 3959
Bushre resisting timber as specied in > Steel sheet; or Appendix F.
AS 3959 Appendix F. > Bushre resisting timber as specied in Where tted, screens for windows should have
Where less than 400mm above the ground, AS 3959 Appendix F; or a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum
unenclosed suboor areas should have bearers aperture of 2mm and made of corrosion-resistant
and joists that are: steel, bronze or aluminium. Gaps around the
Non-combustible; or perimeter of the screen and the building should not
Bushre resisting timber as specied in exceed 3mm. The frame supporting the mesh or
AS 3959 Appendix F. Windows (including skylights) perforated sheet should be:
Where less than 400mm above the ground, the Construction requirements as per ember attack Metal; or
ooring of unenclosed suboor areas should be: with the additional requirements of: Bushre resisting timber as specied in AS 3959
Non-combustible; or Window assemblies should be protected: Appendix F.
Bushre resisting timber as specied in With bushre shutters; or
AS 3959 Appendix F; or Could be constructed of:
Any other type of timber, particle board > Window frames and joinery made from:
or plywood; provided the underside of the > Bushre resisting timber as specied in
ooring is lined with sarking type material or AS 3959 Appendix F; or External doors
mineral wool insulation. > Metal; or Construction requirements as per ember attack with
Alternatively, for unenclosed suboors less than > Metal-reinforced PVC-U; and with the exception of:
Retrot provisions for 400mm above the ground, a tested ooring
system to Australian Standard 1530.8.1
> Metal external hardware; and
Windows could be toughened glazing with
Where tted, screens for doors should have a mesh
or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of
radiant heat exposure (AS 1530.8.1) could be used. a minimum thickness of 5mm; and
> If located less than 400mm above the
2mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze
or aluminium. Gaps around the perimeter of the
ground, decks, carport roofs, awnings and screen and the building should not exceed 3mm.
corresponding to BAL-29 similar elements or ttings having an angle
less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and
The frame supporting the mesh or perforated sheet
should be:
extending greater than 110mm in width Metal; or
could be screened externally; and Bushre resisting timber as specied in AS 3959
> Openable portions of the window above Appendix F.
400mm may be either screened internally Protect side hung external doors with one of the
Flooring systems or externally. following:
Enclosed suboor areas should be constructed with: External screens; or
Non-combustible materials (such as masonry, Bushre shutters; or
brick veneer, mud brick, concrete, aerated Neither of the above if the door is:
concrete etc); or > Non-combustible; or
Timber or steel-framed walls that are sarked on > A solid timber door, with a minimum
the outside of the frame and clad with: thickness of 35mm for the rst 400mm
> Fibre cement external cladding, with a 6mm above the threshold; or
minimum thickness; or Walls and Fascias > A door, including hollow core doors, protected
> Steel sheet; or Construction requirements as per ember attack externally by a screen; or
> Bushre resisting timber as specied in with the additional requirements of: > A fully framed glazed door with the frame
AS 3959 Appendix F; or Replace or cover external walls with: constructed of non-combustible materials,
> Mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum Non-combustible materials (such as masonry, or bushre resisting timber as specied in
aperture of 2mm and made of corrosion brick veneer, mud brick, concrete, aerated AS 3959 Appendix F.
resistant bronze or steel. concrete etc); or External hardware to doors should be metal.
20 21
B A L - 2 9 B A L - 2 9
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Glazing in doors should Vehicle access (garage) doors should comply External single pane glazed
be toughened glass with a with the following: elements of roof lights
minimum thickness of 6mm. All parts of doors should be made from: and skylights, where the
Parts of door frames less > Non-combustible materials; or pitch of the glazed element
than 400mm above the > Fibre cement external cladding with a 6mm is 18 degrees or less to
ground, decks, carport roofs, minimum thickness; or the horizontal, should
awnings and similar elements > Bushre resisting timber as specied in be protected with ember
or ttings having an angle AS 3959 Appendix F. guards made from mesh
less than 18 degrees to the Panel lift, tilt and side-hung doors should or perforated sheet with a
horizontal and extending greater than 110mm in be tted with suitable weather-strips, maximum aperture of 2mm
width should be screened externally. draught excluders, draught seals or guide and made from corrosion
tracks (as appropriate) with a maximum resistant steel, bronze or
gap size of 3mm. aluminium.
Roller doors should have guide tracks with a Tubular skylights should
maximum gap area of 3mm and be tted with not be used for BAL 29 and
a nylon brush in contact with the door. above unless it is a tested
Doors should not include ventilation slots. system to AS 1530.8.1.
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Non-combustible
materials; or Retrot provisions for radiant
Bushre resisting
timber as specied in
AS 3959 Appendix F.
Enclosed external structures heat exposure corresponding
within six metres of the house
For the unenclosed
suboor spaces of verandas,
decks, steps, ramps and
Enclosed structures adjacent to a house should
be constructed in accordance with the provisions
to BAL-40 & direct
landings use the following
construction elements:
for the rest of the house; or alternatively:
The walls to the house should be separated ame BAL-FZ
Support posts, columns, stumps, stringers, by 60/60/60 or -/60/60 minutes FRL
piers and poles; and
Framing of the verandas, decks, ramps, and
landings should be constructed of:
construction (See denitions for FRL); or
The walls to the house should be constructed
of masonry, earth wall or masonry veneer
B AL-40 and direct ame BAL-FZ are considered
to be very high to extreme bushre risk.
Homes in these categories may not be suitable for
> Non-combustible materials; or with a minimum thickness of 90mm, and retrot upgrades for direct radiant heat or ame
> Bushre resisting timber as specied in > The doorways should be -/60/30 minutes attack. The measures for ember attack are still
AS 3959 Appendix F. FRL self closing re doors; and worthwhile as this may assist, for example,
Balustrades, handrails and other barriers > Windows should be -/60/- minutes FRL in situations where a re front passes nearby
less than 125mm from any glazing or any and permanently xed shut; and providing ember showers.
combustible wall should be constructed of: > Other openings should be -/60/- For direct radiant heat or ame attack, homes
Non-combustible materials; or minutes FRL located on these sites should be specically designed,
Bushre resisting timber as specied in > The above provisions exclude control and constructed or upgraded for bushre risk by
AS 3959 Appendix F. joints, suboor vents; and penetrations appropriately trained and experienced professionals.
Enclosed structures attached to, or below for pipes and conduits. Buildings in these areas are considered to be at
a house (such as carports or verandas) very high to extreme bushre risk from ember attack, the bushre risk for such sites, nor are they
should be constructed in accordance burning debris ignited by windborne embers, exposure likely to satisfy the relevant requirements of AS 3959.
with the provisions for rest of the to high level and extreme radiant heat and likelihood Home owners are recommended to seek
house, or alternatively: of direct exposure to ames from the re front. professional advice with regards to recommended
The wall to the house should be A simple retrotting of building elements is not upgrades or reconstruction to improve their houses
separated by 60/60/60 or -/60/60 considered to be a satisfactory approach to mitigating resistance to bushre attack.
minutes FRL construction (see
denitions for FRL); or
The walls to the house should be
constructed of masonry, earth wall
Non-AS 3959 applicable sites
or masonry veneer with a minimum
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS THAT FALL OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF AS 3959 (I.E. CANNOT
thickness of 90mm, and
> Doorways should be separated by NOMINATE A BAL DUE TO EXTREME SLOPES ON THE SITE OR ITS SURROUNDING
-/60/30 minutes FRL; and
VEGETATION) ARE AT GREATER RISK FROM BUSHFIRE ATTACK.
> Windows should be -/60/-
minutes FRL and permanently
xed shut; and
> Other openings should be
E xtreme slopes not covered in AS 3959 are
vegetated slopes greater than 30 degrees to the
horizontal, situated within 100m of the house. This is
The prescribed building elements recommended in
this guide may be unsuitable for such sites and
retrotting homes is unlikely to achieve a comparable
-/60/- minutes FRL because re behaviour on steep slopes is much more level of safety to that provided in AS 3959. Home owners
> The above provisions exclude severe and unpredictable and therefore the simplied are recommended to seek professional advice with
control joints, suboor vents; approach in AS 3959 may not be sufcient without regards to recommended upgrades or reconstruction to
and penetrations for pipes and further professional advice and review. improve their resistance to bushre attack.
conduits.
24 25
S P R I N K L E R S Y S T E M S P R I V A T E B U S H F I R E S H E L T E R S
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Other considerations:
Sprinkler systems can help Will your sprinkler system be able to run even if
mains power fails?
Do you have an adequate water supply? A sprinkler
THE OBJECTIVE OF A BUSHFIRE SPRINKLER Bushre sprinkler systems are only one treatment to
SYSTEM IS TO HELP EXTINGUISH EMBERS improve the protection of your house from embers.
On their own they are not a reliable solution to treat
THAT LAND ON THE ROOF OR OTHER bushre risk.
These systems should be regularly maintained and
PARTS OF THE BUILDING.
tested to ensure that they perform when required.
26 27
D E F I N I T I O N S D E F I N I T I O N S
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Denitions Denitions
Aperture Openings in screens or mesh that are used to provide protection to windows, doors and Flame zone (FZ) The highest level of bushre attack as a consequence of direct exposure to ames from
other openings against ember attack. the re front in addition to heat ux and ember attack.
AS 3959 Australian Standard 3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushre prone areas Flammability index The index number for a material as determined by a test as set out in Australian
published by Standards Australia and as amended from time to time. Standard 1530.2.
Bushre attack Burning embers, radiant heat or ame generated by a bushre, which might result in Glazed assembly Any combination of glass and any other material that lls a window or door opening; also
ignition and subsequent damage or destruction of a building. known as a glazing system.
Bushre Attack Level (BAL) The bushre attack level for the site as determined by using either Method 1 (simplied Grade A safety glass A type of safety glazing that complies with Australian Standard 1288.
procedure) or Method 2 (detailed procedure) under Australian Standard 3959-2009.
These are stated as BAL-LOW, BAL-12.5, BAL-19, BAL-29, BAL-40 or BAL-FZ. Heat ux exposure level The quantity of heat energy per unit area that is measured on an exposed surface and it
includes heat transferred by convection and radiation.
Bushre prone area An area that is subject to, or likely to be subject to, bushre attack.
Insulated glazing unit (IGU) Two or more panels of glass spaced apart and factory sealed with dry air or special gases
Bushre resisting timber Timber that is deemed to be acceptable to withstand exposure up to a BAL-29 condition in the units cavity.
by means of one or more of:
(a) The inherent properties of the material itself; Non-combustible The classication of a material that is deemed not to be combustible when subjected to
(b) Being impregnated with re-retardant chemicals; or testing under Australian Standard 1530.1.
(c) The application of re-retardant coatings or substances.
Sarking-type material A material, such as a reective foil or other exible membrane, normally used for a
A list of approved timber species can be found in Australian Standard 3959 Appendix F purpose such as water proong, vapour proong or thermal reectance.
Bushre shutter A screen or barrier xed to the building for the protection of window or door openings Sub-oor The part of the construction that is below the oor, whether enclosed or unenclosed, and
against bushre attack. includes oor joists, bearers, stumps, piers and the like.
Ember attack Smouldering or aming windborne debris that is capable of entering or accumulating
around a building and may ignite the building or other combustible materials and debris.
Ember guard A cover inserted in or over an opening or cavity to prevent the entry of burning embers.
Fire resistance level (FRL) The nominal grading period, in minutes, that is determined by subjecting a specimen
material or system to a re test as set out in Australian Standard 1530.4 to specify
(XX/XX/XX minutes FRL) structural adequacy, integrity and insulation.
28 29
N O T E S N O T E S
A guide to retrot your home for better A guide to retrot your home for better
protection from a bushre protection from a bushre
Notes
CHECKLIST
Flooring systems
External Doors
Roofs
30 31
C O N T E N T S
Regional ofces:
Ballarat ofce
Bushre Building Advice Line
2 Skipton Street Ballarat VIC 3350 1300 815 127
T. +61 3 5331 1246
F. +61 3 5333 4817
Bendigo ofce
PO Box 314 Bendigo VIC 3550
Sale ofce
PO Box 223 Trafalgar VIC 3824
T. +61 3 5143 3024
F. +61 3 5143 3027
Wangaratta ofce
August 2010
www.buildingcommission.com.au www.cfa.vic.gov.au