What is a BAL (Bushfire Assessment Level)…….do I need one?
Most of the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding Hills are bushfire prone and either are covered by a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) or in a Bushfire Prone area. Generally, if you need a Building permit for your project you will need a BAL.
Each property is individual and will have different outcomes. The BAL is a nationwide approach to determine the severity of a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact.
A BAL assessment must be carried out in accordance with a process set out in AS 3959. Each BAL rating has its own set of elements that must be incorporated into your building design. The area assessed is within 100 metres in all directions of the proposed building.
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What is the difference between Levels?
The BAL is based on:
Location:
This will include how many directions a bushfire may approach from.
The type of vegetation on your property.
The closer the building is to vegetation, the higher the fire risk. The denser the vegetation, the more intense the fire zone is.
The slope of your property.
The topography affects the speed and spread of the fire. Fires typically burns faster uphill, drying out vegetation ahead and adding to the fuel load. The steeper the slope, the quicker the fire.
