Bushfire Mesh
Amplimesh SUPASCREEN® has a BAL rating of up to BAL -FZ, while INTRUDAGUARD® has a rating up to BAL -29.
EHi has been installing Amplimesh® bushfire-compliant screens since 1996.
Amplimesh® INTRUDAGUARD®
Perforated aluminium mesh
Amplimesh® SUPASCREEN®
Security stainless steel woven mesh
WHAT ARE BAL RATINGS?
BAL stands for Bushfire Attack Level. It is a measure used in Australia to assess a building’s potential bushfire exposure. The rating is based on the potential for ember attack, radiant heat, & direct flame contact.
WHY IS BAL RATING IMPORTANT?
The BAL rating system is a way of categorising the level of risk a building may face during a bushfire, & it is used to determine the construction requirements for buildings in designated bushfire-prone areas. Homes in bushfire-prone areas must meet specific construction standards based on their BAL rating to reduce the risk of damage or destruction during a bushfire.
WHAT DOES EACH BAL RATING MEAN?
The BAL rating ranges from BAL Low (least likely to be affected by a bushfire) to BAL FZ (Flame Zone, the most severe rating indicating that the building is likely to be directly impacted by flames).
| Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) | Radiant Heat Exposure |
|---|---|
BAL – LOW | BAL – LOW |
BAL – 12.5 There is a risk of ember attack. The risk is considered to be Low. | 0 to 12.5 kW per sqmProtection from ember attack & radiant heat up to12.5kW/m² |
BAL 19 The risk is considered to be Moderate. | 12.5 to 19 kW per sqm There is a risk of ember attack & burning debris ignited by windborne embers & a likelihood of exposure to radiant heat. |
BAL – 29 The risk is considered to be High. | 19 to 29 kW per sq m Protection from ember attack & radiant heat greater than 19 kW/m² up to 29 kW/m² |
BAL – 40 The risk is considered to be Very High. | 29 to 40 kW per sq m Protection from ember attack, increased likelihood of flame contact & radiant heat greater than 29kW/m² up to 40 kW/m² |
BAL – FZ The risk is considered to be Extreme. | 40 kW per sq m & flame contact Protection from flame contact, together with ember attack & radiant heat of more than 40 kW/m² |
WHAT IS THE SUITABLE MESH FOR EACH BAL?
The appropriate mesh for each Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating may vary depending on the specific location, terrain, vegetation, & other factors that could influence the risk of bushfire. The mesh is installed on windows, doors, vents, & other openings to prevent embers & burning debris from entering the building & potentially causing a fire.
| BAL Rating | Description | Suitable Mesh |
|---|---|---|
| BAL – LOW | This is the lowest BAL rating in a bushfire-prone area which indicates that there is a risk of ember attack, but the possible radiant heat flux exposure will not be greater than 12.5kW per square metre. This rating means there are no special construction requirements. | Fibreglass, Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
| BAL – 12.5 | Screens for windows & doors shall have a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of 2mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium. Gaps between the perimeter of the screen assembly & the building element to which it is fitted shall not exceed 3mm. The frame supporting the mesh or perforated sheet shall be made from metal or bushfire-resistant timber. | Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
| BAL 19 | Same as above | Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
| BAL – 29 | Same as above | Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
| BAL – 40 | Screens for windows & doors shall have a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture of 2mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel or bronze. Gaps between the perimeter of the screen assembly & the building element to which it is fitted shall not exceed 3mm. The frame supporting the mesh or perforated sheet shall be made from metal | Bronze or stainless steel |
| BAL – FZ | Same as above | Bronze or stainless steel |
Call 136 344 to discuss your specific needs
FREE MEASURE & QUOTEWhat is Bush Fire Protection?
Bush fire Protection is the protection of buildings, as specified in the Australian Standard AS3959-2009 “Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas“, against burning embers, radiant heat or flame generated by a bushfire. The 2009 edition of AS 3959 explains Bushfire Attack Levels (BALs) as follows.SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
| BAL | DESCRIPTION | SUITABLE MESH |
|---|---|---|
| 12.5 | Screens for windows and doors shall have a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum | Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
| Aperture of 2mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel,bronze or aluminium. Gaps between | ||
| The perimter of the screen assembly and the building element to which it is fitted shall not | ||
| Exceed 3mm.The frame supporting the mesh or perforated sheet shall be made from metal | ||
| or bushfire resistant timber. | ||
| BAL 19 | Same as Above | Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
| BAL 29 | Same as Above | Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
| BAL 40 | Screens for windows and doors shall have a mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum | |
| Aperture of 2mm, made of corrosion-resistant steel or bronze. Gaps between | ||
| The perimter of the screen assembly and the building element to which it is fitted shall not | Bronze or Stainless steel | |
| Exceed 3mm.The frame supporting the mesh or perforated sheet shall be made from metal. | Bronze or Stainless steel | |
| BAL FZ | Same as Above | Bronze or Stainless steel |
Explaining the numbers:
- BAL – Low The risk is considered to be Very Low
- BAL – 12.5 (protection from ember attack and radiant heat up to and including 12.5kW/m²) there is a risk of ember attack. The risk is considered to be Low
- BAL – 19 (protection from ember attack and radiant heat greater than 12.5kW/m² up to and including 19 kW/m²) There is a risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind borne embers and a likelihood of exposure to radiant heat. The risk is considered to be Moderate
- BAL – 29 (protection from ember attack and radiant heat greater than 19 kW/m² up to and including 29 kW/m²) There is an increased risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windbourne embers and a likelihood of exposure to an increased level of radiant heat. The risk is considered to be High
- BAL – 40 (protection from ember attack, increased likelihood of flame contact and radiant heat greater than 29kW/m² up to and including 40 kW/m²) There is a much increased risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windbourne embers, a likelihood of exposure to a high level of radiant heat and some likelihood of direct exposure to flames from the fire front. The risk is considered to be very high
- BAL – FZ (protection from flame contact, together with ember attack and radiant heat of more than 40 kW/m²) There is an extremely high risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers, and a likelihood of exposure to an extreme level of radiant heat and direct exposure to flames from the fire front. The risk is considered to be Extreme