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Bushfire Screening

Bushfire Screening

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
The risk is considered to be Very Low

BAL – LOW
The risk is considered to be Very 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 RatingDescriptionSuitable 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 & QUOTE

What 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:

  1. BAL – Low The risk is considered to be Very Low
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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