Welcome To Bushfire Protection And Planning

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we service our clients throughout West Australia

We provide BAL reports, BMPs, and bushfire consultation across Western Australia

Our Services

Bushfire Management Plans (BMPs)

A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) is a document required for development approval in bushfire-prone areas across Western Australia. It outlines strategies to mitigate bushfire risks, ensuring that proposed developments comply with State Planning Policy 3.7 (SPP 3.7), and local regulations. We specializes in preparing comprehensive, site-specific BMPs for residential, commercial, and subdivision developments. Whether you’re lodging a Development Application (DA), seeking subdivision approval, or building in a bushfire-prone area, we provide expert guidance to ensure compliance with state and local planning requirements

Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessments

A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment is a mandatory requirement for any new development, renovation, or building in a bushfire-prone area. Under AS3959:2018, all buildings within these areas must undergo a BAL assessment to determine the level of bushfire risk and ensure compliance with appropriate construction measures.In Western Australia, BAL assessments are essential for meeting State Planning Policy 3.7 (SPP 3.7) and local council requirements, ensuring your development application (DA) or building permit adheres to bushfire safety regulations. A professional BAL assessment is required to accurately classify vegetation, assess site conditions, measure setbacks, and recommend effective bushfire mitigation strategies.Our accredited BAL assessors provide fast, reliable, and compliant assessments for properties across Perth, Mandurah, Peel, and regional WA, guiding you through state and local planning policies to ensure a smooth approval process.

Schedule a BAL Report today!

Don’t leave your property at risk. Our team of experts can help you determine the precise BAL rating for your site and guide you through every step of construction compliance. Get peace of mind knowing your home is built to withstand Australia’s toughest bushfire conditions.

Request a BAL Assessment

BMPs

For Development applications

Find out how we can fast-track your development application

BAL Ratings

For Building applications

Have an accredited bushfire consultant deliver a fast, and affordable bal-rating for your property.

Our Assessment Approach

Drone Mapping: By employing advanced drone technology, we capture high-resolution aerial images of your property.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS): We integrate drone-captured data with GIS technology to analyze and visualize geographic data.

AS3959 Assessment Methodologies: We conduct comprehensive assessments that follow the prescribed methods, and proceedures found in AS 3959. Our combination of cutting-edge technology and rigorous standards sets us apart, ensuring that you receive a BAL rating you can trust to make informed decisions about your property’s safety and compliance.

Local Expertise: The nature of bushfire risk varies substantially across the state, both in vegetation type and extent. Therefore, it's important to address these unique challenges when seeking approval from local government. Our team of bushfire consultants is well-versed in Western Australian legislation regarding development in bushfire-prone areas. We have cultivated strong working relationships with local government in all nine of Western Australia's regions, along with a deep understanding of the unique bushfire challenges in each of these areas.

Bushfire Prone Areas Map

Map of Western Australia indicating bushfire prone areas for BAL rating assessment

Contact Us

0480 040 667

admin@bushfireprotectionandplanning.au

22 Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah WA 6210

FAQ

Building Requirements in Bushfire Prone Areas

Your BAL rating determines the specific building requirements for your project in bushfire-prone areas. It assesses the level of bushfire risk, and based on that rating, certain construction standards must be followed to ensure your building can withstand ember attacks, radiant heat, and flame exposure. AS3959 provides these standards for each building element, based on a particular BAL rating. We have sumerized these standards below:

Roofs

The roof is one of the most vulnerable areas in bushfire-prone areas, as embers can easily enter through gaps or accumulate in gutters, which may lead to ignition. The roof becomes more relevant at higher BAL levels due to its exposure to embers and radiant heat. For BAL-12.5, sealing any gaps to prevent ember entry is required. By BAL-29, non-combustible roofing materials and ember guards for vents become mandatory. Bushfire-rated sarking and metal or tiled roofing that are properly sealed are required at these higher levels to protect against ember attack and heat.

External Walls

The external walls play a critical role in resisting radiant heat and flame contact. Gaps in the walls could allow embers to penetrate the building, posing a significant threat. For BAL-12.5, there are no specific material requirements, though ember-proofing is still necessary. By BAL-19, the use of non-combustible materials or fire-resistant cladding becomes mandatory. At the higher levels of BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, walls must be constructed using materials like masonry, concrete, or specially treated timber to resist the intense heat and flames associated with a high bushfire risk.

Windows and Glazing

Windows and glazing are particularly vulnerable in bushfire conditions, as radiant heat can cause them to crack or shatter, providing a pathway for embers to enter the home. In BAL-12.5, windows must be screened with metal mesh to reduce ember attack. For BAL-19 and BAL-29, the use of toughened glass and window screens becomes mandatory to handle higher heat and ember attacks. At BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, toughened glass with fire-rated frames and bushfire shutters are necessary to withstand radiant heat and possible direct flame contact.

Doors

Doors must be designed to prevent ember entry and withstand radiant heat, as they are often weak points in the building envelope. For BAL-12.5, doors should have weather strips at the base to prevent embers from entering. By BAL-19, doors must be solid core or made from non-combustible materials, and any glass in the doors should be toughened. At the highest risk levels of BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, bushfire shutters or metal doors are often required to protect against direct flame exposure and high radiant heat.

Vents and Weep holes

Vents and weep holes are essential for ventilation but can also allow embers to enter if left unprotected. For BAL-12.5, metal mesh ember guards are required to block ember entry. From BAL-19 onwards, all vents must be covered with non-combustible ember guards specifically designed to prevent embers from penetrating these openings.

Gutters, downpipes, and fascia

Gutters, Downpipes, and Fascia can accumulate leaves and embers, increasing the risk of ignition if not properly protected. In BAL-12.5, regular maintenance is crucial, and gutter guards can be installed to reduce the build-up of debris. At BAL-29 and above, non-combustible gutter guards become mandatory, and downpipes must be made of non-combustible materials to further reduce the risk of fire.

Verandas, Decks, and Balconies

Verandas, decks, and balconies are exposed external features that are vulnerable to ember attack and flame exposure, especially if constructed from combustible materials. For BAL-12.5, non-combustible or bushfire-resistant timber may be required for construction. At BAL-19, fire-resistant decking materials must be used, and screening may be necessary beneath the structure to prevent ember accumulation. By BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, fully non-combustible materials or treated timber are required to withstand extreme bushfire conditions.

Eaves, Fascia, and Gables

Eaves, fascia, and gables are also vulnerable to embers and heat, as gaps and cracks in these areas can allow embers to enter the building. At BAL-12.5, all gaps must be sealed to prevent ember entry. For BAL-19 and above, eaves and gables should be constructed from non-combustible materials or fire-resistant timber, and vents must be screened with ember guards. By the time you reach BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, non-combustible construction for these elements becomes mandatory, with strict requirements for sealing and screening to protect against ember attack and heat.

Floors and Sub-Floors

The floors and subfloors of a building can be another vulnerable area in bushfire-prone environments, especially if embers accumulate underneath. For BAL-12.5, any open subfloors must be screened with metal mesh to prevent ember entry. By BAL-19, subfloors must be made from non-combustible or bushfire-resistant materials, and exposed subfloors must be fully enclosed with non-combustible materials by the time you reach BAL-40 and BAL-FZ.

Carports and Sheds

Garages, carports, and sheds are external structures that can serve as potential ignition points if they are not properly protected from embers and flames. For BAL-12.5 and higher, non-combustible materials should be used for these structures, and ember guards should be fitted to prevent embers from entering. At BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, garages and sheds must be constructed from non-combustible materials with ember-proof seals to provide adequate protection from bushfire risks.

Water Tanks and Gas Bottles

In bushfire-prone areas, having a reliable water and gas supply is crucial for both fire-fighting purposes and protecting vulnerable gas cylinders from heat and flames. For BAL-12.5 and higher, water tanks may be required, and gas cylinders should be shielded from radiant heat. At BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, water tanks must be non-combustible and provide adequate water pressure for fire-fighting, while gas cylinders must be properly shielded and positioned away from the building to reduce fire risk.

Ancillary Structures

Lastly, attachments and ancillary structures like pergolas, fences, and sheds, if made from combustible materials, can ignite during a bushfire and spread the fire to the main building. For BAL-12.5, non-combustible materials or fire-retardant treatments are recommended for these structures. At BAL-29 and above, these attachments should be constructed from non-combustible materials or separated from the main building by a safe distance. At BAL-40 and BAL-FZ, strict regulations require the use of non-combustible materials, particularly for any structures attached to the building itself.

A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating is an essential part of the planning and building process for developments in bushfire-prone areas. It is a measure of the potential risk to buildings from ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. The BAL rating is determined through a site-specific assessment, which evaluates the surrounding vegetation, the slope of the land, and the distance between the proposed structure and any bushfire hazards.

There are six BAL rating levels, ranging from BAL-LOW (minimal risk) to BAL-FZ (extreme risk), with each level corresponding to specific building requirements. If you're planning development in bushfire-prone areas in Western Australia, it’s important to consult the DFES/OBRM map for WA,to determine if a BAL assessment is required.

BAL Low

This level indicates minimal risk of bushfire exposure. No specific construction requirements are needed as the threat is considered negligible.

BAL 12.5

This is the lowest BAL rating for bushfire-prone areas, indicating a risk of ember attack but with radiant heat flux exposure not exceeding 12.5kW per square metre. At this rating, no special construction requirements are necessary.

BAL 19

This rating represents a moderate level of risk, indicating potential radiant heat flux exposure up to 19kW per square metre. It also reflects the threat of wind-driven embers and burning debris, which could lead to an ember attack.

BAL 29

This is a high-risk rating, indicating an elevated threat of ember attack and radiant heat flux exposure of up to 29kW per square metre. It requires more stringent building measures compared to lower ratings.

BAL 40

This is a very high-risk rating, signifying a significantly increased risk of ember attack, with a potential for direct flame exposure and radiant heat flux up to 40kW per square metre.

BAL FZ

This is an extremely high-risk rating, indicating a severe threat of ember attack, extreme radiant heat exposure, and direct flame contact. The radiant heat flux risk is equivalent to that of BAL-40.

To find out if your property is located in a bushfire prone area, you can use the interactive map provided by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). Simply visit their website and enter your address in the search bar provided on the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas page. This tool will show you whether your property is within a designated bushfire prone area, helping you take necessary precautions and plan accordingly.

Bushfire Management Plans in Western Australia

A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) in Western Australia is an essential strategy document aimed at reducing the risk and impact of bushfires on developments. It is particularly crucial for complex developments involving multiple lots, new road constructions, and significant alterations to natural environments.

What Does a BMP Include?

A BMP must include at the very least, a risk assessment evaluating the potential bushfire threats to a development, as well as Protection Measures. Protection measures are Strategies to protect critical assets, buildings, and infrastructure.

For more information on developing a Bushfire Management Plan in Western Australia, or to get involved in the bushfire safety community, consider contacting your local fire control authority or visiting the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.