Bushfire Screening
Protect your home if you’re living in a bushfire-prone area
Australian vegetation has grown and adapted to bushfires for tens of thousands of years, to become the most flammable landscape on Earth (ATSE, 1999)
Did you know that embers from a bushfire can travel an average of 2 km before falling, which can instantly ignite a fire’s basic fuel - dry grass, leaves & twigs around your home?
During a bushfire, around 80% of houses are lost due to an ember attack. 1
1 Development in Australian bushfire prone areas by Nigel Bel, Acumen Practice Notes
EHi offers bushfire-compliant screens from Amplimesh
Our bushfire window screens are designed for buildings located in bushfire zone areas, and have been rigorously tested to satisfy the requirements for Bushfire Compliance Australian Standard AS3959-2018. Choose between Amplimesh SUPASCREEN® or INTRUDAGUARD® to suit Building Code compliance in your area.
Amplimesh SUPASCREEN® has a BAL rating of up to BAL -FZ, while INTRUDAGUARD® has a rating of BAL -29. Please refer to the Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL) below.
Material
Marine Grade
Cost Range
Warranty
Viewing Angle
Screen Aperture
Ventilation – Air Flow
BAL Rating (Bushfire Attack Level)
Flame Zone* (conditions apply)
Custom Colours
Australian Standard AS5039Approved and Tested
Intruder Resistant
Triple-lock locking system
UV Protection & WERS tested
Insect Protection
Knife Shear Test Pass
Cyclonic Region Suitable
Bushfire Region Suitable
Fall Prevention Suitable
Manufactured in Australia
Free measure and quote
Custom made for you
Professionally installed
When & where do bushfires occur?
Australia generally has a hot & dry climate. Bushfires can happen across Australia at any time of the year due to the weather, they typically occur in the spring & summer months, while northern Australia has bushfire season during winter & spring. Elements such as temperature, humidity, rainfall & wind greatly affect a bushfire’s behaviour.
- Southeast Australia - summer & autumn
- New South Wales & Southern Queensland - spring to mid-summer
- Northwest Western Australia & Northern Territory - winter & spring
- Southern Western Australia - spring & summer
What is Bush Fire Protection?
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has five standard bushfire protection measures that follow the standard planning permit conditions for the protection of buildings built in bushfire-prone areas. One of them is the Construction Standard which states that
“Building construction and design can be used to minimise the impact of ember attack and radiant heat on a building. Construction requirements for buildings are expressed as a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) as prescribed in AS3959 or NASH Standard.”
The 2018 edition of AS 3959 explains Bushfire Attack Levels (BALs) as follows:
| Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) | Radiant Heat Exposure | Description | Suitable Mesh |
BAL - LOW
The risk is considered to be Very Low |
0 to 12.5 kW per sq m | 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 - 12.5 (Protection from ember attack & radiant heat up to 12.5kW/m²) There is a risk of ember attack. The risk is considered to be Low |
0 to 12.5 kW per sq m | Same as above | Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
|
BAL 19
(Protection from ember attack & radiant heat greater than 12.5kW/m² up to 19 kW/m²) There is a risk of ember attack & burning debris ignited by windborne embers & a likelihood of exposure to radiant heat. The risk is considered to be Moderate |
12.5 to 19 kW per sq m | Same as above | Bronze or Stainless steel |
|
BAL – 29
(Protection from ember attack & radiant heat greater than 19 kW/m² up to 29 kW/m²) There is an increased risk of ember attack & burning debris ignited by windborne embers & a likelihood of exposure to an increased level of radiant heat. The risk is considered to be High |
19 to 29 kW per sq m | Same as above | Aluminium, Bronze or Stainless steel |
|
BAL – 40
(Protection from ember attack, increased likelihood of flame contact & radiant heat greater than 29kW/m² up to 40 kW/m²) There is a much-increased risk of ember attack & burning debris ignited by windborne embers, a likelihood of exposure to a high level of radiant heat & some likelihood of direct exposure to flames from the fire front. The risk is considered to be Very High 1. Ideal for bush-prone areas inland & coastal regions, traditional homes, screen vents & weep holes. 2. Extremely durable screen with a glamorous, bright gold finish. |
29 to 40 kW per sq m | 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
(Protection from flame contact, together with ember attack & radiant heat of more than 40 kW/m²) There is an extremely high risk of ember attack & burning debris ignited by windborne embers, & a likelihood of exposure to an extreme level of radiant heat & direct exposure to flames from the fire front. The risk is considered to be Extreme. |
40 kW per sq m & flame contact | Same as above | Bronze or stainless steel |
Call 136 344 to discuss your specific needs
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