Construction Standards to Comply with AS3959:2018

(Construction of building in bushfire-prone areas) for

Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) - 19 (Moderate)

This document has been prepared to assist in the preparation of plans and specifications in
respect to BAL – 19, including the variations imposed by clause 7.5.2 of Planning for Bushfire
Protection 2019 (NSW Variations under G5.2(a)(i) and 3.10.5.0(c)(i) of the NCC).

BAL—19 is primarily concerned with protection of your building from ember attack and burning
debris ignited by wind borne embers and radiant heat up to and including 19 kW/m2.

To comply with the Building Code of Australia, your construction or complying development
certificate plans must include details of the building construction relevant to the level of
bushfire.

Those parts of this document that relate to your development must be included on the
construction certificate plans or in the construction specification.

The construction requirements for the next lower BAL may be used for an elevation of a
dwelling that is not exposed to the source of a bushfire. However, this does not apply to the
subfloor or roof.
An elevation is not exposed if the entire elevation is completely screened from the source of a
bushfire by another part of the building.

Any element of construction or system that satisfies the test criteria of AS 1530.8.1 may be
used in lieu of the applicable requirements below (see Clause 3.8 of the Standard).

SARKING

Sarking, where used for bushfire protection shall be:

a. Non-combustible; or

b. Breather-type sarking complying with AS/NZS4200.1 and with a flammability index

of not more than 5 and sarked on the outside of the frame; or

c. An insulation material conforming to the appropriate Australian Standard for that

material.

SUBFLOOR SUPPORTS

This Standard does not provide construction requirements for subfloor supports where the
subfloor space is enclosed with—

1) a wall that complies with the requirements for an external wall below; or

2) a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion

resistant steel, bronze or aluminium; or

3) a combination of Items (a) and (b) above.

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Where the subfloor space is unenclosed, the support posts, columns, stumps, piers and poles
shall be—
(1) of non-combustible material; or

(2) of bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this document); or

(3) a combination of Items (i) and (ii) above.

NOTE: This requirement applies to the principal building only. See requirements below for verandas, decks, steps,
ramps and landings.

FLOORS

1) Elevated floors

a) Enclosed subfloor space

The Standard does not provide construction requirements for elevated

floors, including bearers, joists and flooring, where the subfloor space is
enclosed with—

i) a wall that complies with the standards for an external wall

below; or

ii) a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of 2 mm,

made of corrosion resistant steel, bronze or aluminium; or

iii) a combination of Items (a) and (b) above.

b) Unenclosed subfloor space

Where the subfloor space is unenclosed, the bearers, joists and flooring,
less than 400 mm above finished ground level, shall be one of the
following:

i) materials that comply with the following:

(a) bearers and joists shall be—

i) non-combustible; or
ii) bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table
at the end of this document); or
iii) a combination of Items (i) and (ii) above.

(b) Flooring shall be—

i) non-combustible; or

ii) bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table

at the end of this document); or

iii) timber (other than bushfire-resisting

timber), particleboard or plywood flooring
where the underside is lined with sarking-
type material or mineral wool insulation; or

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 iv) a combination of any of Items (i), (ii) or (iii)
above; or

v) a system complying with AS 1530.8.1

This Standard does not provide construction requirements for elements of elevated
floors, including bearers, joists and flooring, if the underside of the element is 400 mm
or more above finished ground level.

EXTERNAL WALLS

1) Walls

The exposed components of an external wall that are less than 400 mm from the
ground or less than 400 mm above decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar elements
or fittings having an angle less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and extending more
than 110 mm in width from the wall shall be:

(a) Non-combustible material such as cavity brick, masonry veneer walls with
an outer leaf of clay, concrete, calcium silicate or natural stone, precast or in
situ walls of concrete or aerated concrete or earth walling including mud brick;
or

(b) Timber logs of a species with a density of 680 kg/m3 or greater at a 12

percent moisture content; of a minimum nominal overall thickness of 90 mm
and a minimum thickness of 70 mm (see Clause 3.11of Standard); and gauge
planed; or

(c) Cladding that is fixed externally to a timber-framed or a steel-framed wall

and is—

(i) Non-combustible material; or

(ii) Fibre-cement a minimum of 6 mm in thickness; or

(iii) Bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document); or

(iv) A timber species as specified in Appendix E of the Standard; or

(v) a combination of any of Items (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above; or

(d) A combination of any of Items (a), (b) or (c) above.

2) Joints

All joints in the external surface material of walls shall be covered, sealed, overlapped,
backed or butt-jointed to prevent gaps greater than 3 mm.

3) Vents and weepholes

Vents and weepholes in external walls shall be screened with a mesh with a maximum
aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium, except where
the vents and weepholes have an aperture less than 3 mm.

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EXTERNAL WINDOWS and DOORS

1) Windows

Window assemblies shall comply with one of the following:

(a) They shall be completely protected by a bushfire shutter that complies with
Note 1 below; or

(b) They shall be completely protected externally by screens that comply with
Note 2; or

(c) They shall comply with the following:

(i) For window assemblies less than 400 mm from the ground or less
than 400 mm above decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar elements
or fittings having an angle less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and
extending more than 110 mm in width from the window frame, window
frames and window joinery shall be made from:

(A) Bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document); or

(B) A timber species as specified in Appendix E of the Standard;

or

(C) Metal; or

(D) Metal-reinforced PVC-U. The reinforcing members shall be

made from aluminium, stainless steel, or corrosion-resistant steel
and the frame and sash shall satisfy the design load,
performance and structural strength of the member.

(ii) Externally fitted hardware that supports the sash in its functions of
opening and closing shall be metal.

(iii) Where glazing is less than 400 mm from the ground or less than 400
mm above decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar elements or fittings,
having an angle less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and extending
more than 110 mm in width from the window frame, the glazing shall be
toughened glass minimum 5 mm in thickness, or glass blocks with no
restriction on glazing methods.
NOTE: Where double-glazed units are used, the above requirements apply to the
external face of the window assembly only.

(iv) Where glazing is other than that specified in (iii) above, annealed
glass may be used. Where annealed glass is used, both the fixed and
openable portions of windows shall be screened externally with screens
that comply with
Note 2 below.

(v) Where toughened is used it shall have a minimum thickness of 5 mm

and the openable portions of windows shall be screened internally or
externally with screens that comply with Note 2 below.

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 (vi) Glazed elements that are designed to take internal screens shall use
toughened glass minimum 5 mm and the openable portion shall be
screened with screens that comply with Note 2 below.

2) Screens

Screening of the openable portions of all windows is required in all BALs to prevent
the entry of embers to the building when the window is open. Screening of the
openable and fixed portions of some windows is required in some BALs to reduce
the effects of radiant heat on some types of glass.

If the screening is required to reduce the effects of radiant heat on the glass, the
screening
has to be external so that the glass in the openable portion of the window will be
‘protected’ when it is shut.

If the screening is required only to prevent the entry of embers, the screening may
be fitted externally or internally.

3) Doors—Side-hung external doors (including French doors, panel fold and bi-fold doors)

Side-hung external doors, including French doors, panel fold and bi-fold doors,
shall comply with one of the following:

(a) Doors and door frames shall be protected by bushfire shutters that comply
with Note 1; or

(b) Doors and door frames shall be protected externally by screens that comply
with Note 2; or

(c) Doors and door frames shall comply with the following:

(i) Doors shall be—

(A) non-combustible; or

(B) a solid timber, laminated timber or reconstituted timber door,

having a minimum thickness of 35 mm for the first 400 mm
above the threshold; or

(C) a door, including a hollow core door, with a non-combustible

kick plate on the outside for the first 400 mm above the
threshold; or

(D) a door, including a hollow core door, protected externally by

a screen that complies with Note 2 below; or

(E) a fully framed glazed door, where the framing is made from
materials specified for bushfire shutters (See Note 2 below), or
from a timber species as specified at the end of this document.

(ii) Where doors incorporate glazing, the glazing shall be toughened

glass with a minimum thickness of 5mm.

(iii) Doors shall be tight-fitting to the door frame and to an abutting door,
if applicable.
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 (iv) Where any part of the door frame is less than 400 mm from the
ground or less than 400 mm above decks, carport roofs, awnings and
similar elements or
fittings having an angle less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and
extending more than 110 mm in width from the door, that part of the
door frame shall be made from:

(A) Bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document); or

(B) A timber species as specified in Appendix E of the Standard;

or

(C) Metal; or

(D) Metal-reinforced PVC-U. The reinforcing members shall be

made from aluminium, stainless steel, or corrosion-resistant steel
and the door
assembly shall satisfy the design load, performance and
structural strength of the member.

(v) Weather strips, draught excluders or draught seals shall be installed

at the base of side-hung external doors.

(d) Sliding doors

Sliding doors shall comply with one of the following:

(a) They shall be completely protected by a bushfire shutter that

complies with Note 1; or

(b) They shall be completely protected externally by screens that

comply with Note 2; or

(c) They shall comply with the following:

(i) Any glazing incorporated in sliding doors shall be

toughened glass with a minimum thickness of 5mm.

(ii) Both the door frame supporting the sliding door and
the framing surrounding any glazing shall be made from:

(A) Bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at

the end of this document); or

(B) A timber species as specified in Appendix E of

the Standard; or

(C) Metal; or

(D) Metal-reinforced PVC-U. The reinforcing

members shall be made from aluminium, stainless
steel, or corrosion-resistant steel and the frame
and the sash shall satisfy the design load,
performance and structural strength of the
member.
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 (iii) There is no requirement to screen the openable part
of the sliding door. However, if screened, the screens
shall comply with Note 2.

NOTE: The construction of manufactured sliding doors should prevent

the entry of embers when the door is closed. There is no requirement
to provide screens to the openable part of these doors as it is
assumed that a sliding door will be closed if occupants are not present
during a bushfire event. Screens of materials other than those
specified may not resist ember attack.

(iv) Sliding doors shall be tight-fitting in the frames.

(e) Garage Doors

The following apply to vehicle access doors:

(a) The lower portion of a vehicle access door that is within 400 mm of
the ground when the door is closed shall be made from—

(i) Non-combustible material; or

(ii) Bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document); or

(iii) A timber species as specified in Appendix E of the Standard;

or

(iv) Fibre cement sheet, a minimum of 6 mm in thickness; or

(v) A combination of any of Items (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above.

(b) Panel lift, tilt doors or side-hung doors shall be fitted with suitable
weather strips, draught excluders, draught seals or guide tracks, as
appropriate to the door type, with a maximum gap no greater than 3
mm.

(c) Roller doors shall have guide tracks with a maximum gap no greater
than
3 mm and shall be fitted with a nylon brush that is in contact with the
door.

(d) Vehicle access doors shall not include ventilation slots.

Note 1: Where fitted, bushfire shutters shall be made from

a) non-combustible material, or
b) a timber species as specified in Appendix E of the Standard, or
c) bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this document), or
d) a combination of any of Items (a), (b), or (c) above; and
(i) be fixed to the building and be non-removable;
(ii) when in the closed position, have no gap greater than 3 mm between the shutter and
the wall, the sill or the head;
(iii) be readily manually operable from either inside or outside;
(iv) protect the entire window assembly or door assembly;
(v) where perforated, have—
(A) uniformly distributed perforations with a maximum aperture of 3 mm when
the shutter is providing radiant heat protection or 2 mm when the shutter is also
providing ember protection (such as where the openable portion of the window

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 is not screened in accordance with the requirements of the respective BAL);
and
(B) a perforated area no greater than 20% of the shutter. If bushfire shutters
are fitted to all external doors then at least one of those shutters shall be
operable from the inside to facilitate safe egress from the building.

Note 2: Where fitted, screens for windows and doors shall have a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum
aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium. Gaps between the perimeter of
the screen assembly and the building element to which it is fitted shall not exceed 3 mm.

The frame supporting the mesh or perforated sheet shall be made from metal, bushfire-resisting timber (at
the end of this document; or a timber species as specified in Appendix E of the Standard.

Note 3: Where double glazed units are used the above requirements apply to the external face of the window
assembly only.

ROOFS (INCLUDING VERANDA AND ATTACHED CARPORT ROOFS, PENETRATIONS, EAVES, FASCIAS,
GABLES, GUTTERS AND DOWNPIPES)

1. General

The following apply to all types of roofs and roofing systems:

(a) roof tiles, roof sheets and roof-covering accessories are to be non-combustible.

b) the roof/wall junction is to be sealed to prevent openings greater than 3 mm, either
by the use of fascia and eaves linings or by sealing between the top of the wall and the
underside of the roof and between the rafters at the line of the wall.

(c) roof ventilation openings, such as gable and roof vents, are to be fitted with ember
guards made of non-combustible material or a mesh or perforated sheet with a
maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium.

2. Tiled roofs.

Tiled roofs shall be fully sarked. The sarking shall—

(a) be located on top of the roof framing, except that the roof battens may be
fixed above the sarking;

(b) cover the entire roof area including ridges and hips; and

(c) extend into gutters and valleys.

3. Sheet roofs

Sheet roofs shall—

(a) be fully sarked, except that foil-backed insulation blankets may be installed
over the battens; or

(b) have any gaps greater than 3 mm (such as under corrugations or ribs of
sheet roofing and between roof components) sealed at the fascia or wall line
and at valleys, hips and ridges by—

(i) a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of 2 mm, made

of
corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium; or

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 (ii) mineral wool; or

(iii) other non-combustible material; or

(iv) a combination of any of Items (i), (ii) or (iii) above.

Note: Sarking is used as a secondary form of ember protection for the roof space to
account for minor gaps that may develop in sheet roofing.

4. Verandah, carport and awning roofs

The following apply to veranda, carport and awning roofs:

(a) A veranda, carport or awning roof forming part of the main roof space shall
meet all the requirements for the main roof.

(b) A veranda, carport or awning roof separated from the main roof space by an
external wall shall have a non-combustible roof covering.

NOTE: There is no requirement to line the underside of a veranda, carport or awning roof that is
separated from the main roof space.

5. Roof penetrations

The following apply to roof penetrations:

(a) Roof penetrations, including roof lights, roof ventilators, roof-mounted

evaporative cooling units, aerials, vent pipes and supports for solar collectors,
shall be adequately sealed at the roof to prevent gaps greater than 3 mm. The
material used to seal the penetration shall be non-combustible.

(b) Openings in vented roof lights, roof ventilators or vent pipes shall be fitted
with ember guards made from a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum
aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium.

This requirement does not apply to the exhaust flues of heating or cooking
devices with closed combustion chambers. In the case of gas appliance flues,
ember guards shall not be fitted.

NOTE: Gasfitters are required to provide a metal flue pipe above the roof and terminate with a
certified gas flue cowl complying with AS 4566. Advice may be obtained from State gas technical
regulators.

(c) All overhead glazing shall be Grade A safety glass complying with AS 1288.

(d) Glazed elements in roof lights and skylights may be of polymer provided a
Grade A safety glass diffuser, complying with AS 1288, is installed under the
glazing. Where glazing is an insulating glazing unit (IGU), Grade A toughened
safety glass minimum
4 mm thickness, shall be used in the outer pane of the IGU.

(e) Flashing elements of tubular skylights may be of a fire-retardant material,

provided the roof integrity is maintained by an under-flashing of a material
having a flammability index no greater than 5.

(f) Evaporative cooling units shall be fitted with non-combustible butterfly

closers as close as practicable to the roof level or the unit shall be fitted with
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 non-combustible covers with a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum
aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium.

6. Eaves linings, fascias and gables

The following apply to eaves linings, fascias and gables:

(a) Gables shall comply with the requirements for external walls above.

(b) Eaves penetrations shall be protected the same as for “Roof Penetrations”
above.

(c) Eaves ventilation openings greater than 3 mm shall be fitted with ember
guards made of non-combustible material or a mesh or perforated sheet with a
maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or
aluminium.
Joints in eaves linings, fascias and gables may be sealed with plastic joining
strips or timber storm moulds.

NOTE: The Standard does not provide construction requirements for fascias, bargeboards and
eaves linings.

7. Gutters and downpipes

The Standard does not provide material requirements for—

(a) gutters, with the exception of box gutters; and

(b) downpipes.

If installed, gutter and valley leaf guards shall be non-combustible. Box gutters shall be
non-combustible and flashed at the junction with the roof with non-combustible
material.

VERANDAHS, DECKS, STEPS, RAMPS AND LANDINGS

1) General

Decking may be spaced.

There is no requirement to enclose the subfloor spaces of verandas, decks, steps,

ramps or landings.

2) Enclosed subfloor spaces of verandas, decks, steps, ramps and landings

a) Materials to enclose a subfloor space

The subfloor spaces of verandas, decks, steps, ramps and landings are
considered to be ‘enclosed’ when —

i) the material used to enclose the subfloor space complies with

the standards for external walls above; and

ii) all openings greater than 3 mm are screened with a mesh or

perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of 2 mm, made of
corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium.
b) Supports
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 The Standard does not provide construction requirements for support posts,
columns, stumps, stringers, piers and poles.

c) Framing

The Standard does not provide construction requirements for the framing of
verandas, decks, ramps or landings (i.e., bearers and joists).

d) Decking, stair treads and the trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings

Decking, stair treads and the trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings shall
be—

i) of non-combustible material; or

ii) of bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document); or

iii) a combination of Items (i) and (ii) above.

3) Unenclosed subfloor spaces of verandas, decks, steps, ramps and landings

a) Supports

Support posts, columns, stumps, stringers, piers and poles shall be—

i) of non-combustible material; or

ii) of bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document); or

iii) a combination of Items (i) and (ii) above.

b) Framing

Framing of verandas, decks, ramps or landings (i.e., bearers and joists)

shall be—

i) of non-combustible material; or

ii) of bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document);or

iii) a combination of Items (i) and (ii) above.

c) Decking, stair treads and the trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings

Decking, stair treads and the trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings
shall be—

i) of non-combustible material; or

ii) of bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document);or

iii) a combination of Items (i) and (ii) above.

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 4) Balustrades, handrails or other barriers

Those parts of the handrails and balustrades less than 125 mm from any glazing or
any combustible wall shall be—
i) of non-combustible material; or

ii) of bushfire-resisting timber (refer to the table at the end of this

document);or

iii) a combination of Items (i) and (ii) above.

Those parts of the handrails and balustrades that are 125 mm or more from the
building have no requirements.

WATER AND GAS SUPPLY PIPES

Above-ground, exposed water and gas supply pipes are to be metal.

BUSH FIRE RESISTING SPECIES

The following species have been tested and meet the requirements for a bush fire resisting
timber species:

Standard trade name Botanical name

Ash silvertop Eucalyptus sieberi

Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis
Gum, red, river Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Gum, spotted Corymbia maculata
Corymbia henryi
Corymbia citriodora
Ironbark, red Eucalyptus sideroxylon
Kwila (Merbau) Intsia bijuga
Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera

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