Hi Rex Creating a solution that meets your site`s needs and susceptibility to bushfires is so specific to your location and board requirements that it`s definitely worth finding a local bushfire consultant who can help you determine the best strategy. BAL FZ can be particularly challenging, not all states allow bushfire bunkers and it`s important to understand how the addition could also affect your existing property. You can find a qualified bushfire consultant by searching for an accredited supplier on the Website of the Fire Protection Association Australia >>> www.fpaa.com.au/ – Amelia, UA Due to the requirement that Flame Zone decks are non-flammable, some materials, including wood, cannot be used. Your advice may also impose other restrictions on the products that can be used in Flame Zone. This can be a problem for many homeowners – to prevent their deck boards from being non-flammable, they often use concrete, tile or fiber cement products and lose some of the natural and beautiful look of a classic deck. Kingspan and Bondor are two companies that lead the way with premium insulated panels that meet BAL 40 requirements and offer stunning appearance, exceptional thermal performance and cost savings. For this reason, it is important that you verify that each fan you install meets the requirements of the corresponding BAL value. BAL 40 requirements can significantly increase construction costs, so be sure to do your homework. With a focus on safety and protection, our BAL 40 and BAL FZ terrace panel is a 21st century fire-tested building slab, carefully tested and approved with the highest certifications. Our BAL 40 BAL FZ AS 3959 deck products are non-flammable and have an exceptionally long service life, so maintenance and replacement are no problem.

Our BAL 40 BAL FZ coating is not only fire resistant, but it also does not retain water, is insensitive to termites, mold and bacteria that grow in it, and is resistant to noise and shock. FireCrunch caters to Australia`s eight climates, making our BAL 40 AND BAL FZ patio panel a smart and reliable choice. ModWood Flame Shield is an Australian product designed for settings up to BAL 40. No other wood-based deck product has such a high rating. If you want to make sure your deck reaches the level and creates a safe place to entertain, reconsider traditional patio options and ask for a HardieDeck™ deck by name. I often say this – every building product has a plus and a minus; There is no silver bullet, whether you`re talking about bricks, carpets or patio decks and blankets. You need to do your research and understand your options in order to choose the one that suits your needs – your aesthetic style, your budget and how it will work for you. There are a number of options to ensure that these components meet the BAL 40 requirements of your new build. CSIRO has rated Maestro BAL as compliant with the fire protection requirements from AS3959-2009 to BAL-40. According to the requirements of bal 40, you are not allowed to install evaporative coolers mounted on the roof. Presentation of HardieDeck™ Decking – there is no terrace that handles the heat so well. HardieDeck™ Decking is considered non-flammable and can be installed in bushfire areas up to BAL-FZ, so you can still enjoy outdoor living at its best.

Blue Mountain Mesh and Leaf Stopper are two top quality products that meet the requirements of 40 balls. According to the requirements of BAL 40, all glazed penetrations into your roof must have an FRL (fire resistance) of (-/30/-), and if the slope of the roof is less than 18 degrees, the glass penetrations must also be protected by ember-resistant metal screens. To meet the requirements of BAL 40, gutters must be made of non-combustible materials. You need to protect gutters and other openings with non-combustible ember protection devices. The gutter protection requirements for the current Australian standard (AS 3959-2018) are as follows: The Australian standard for construction in a bushfire-prone area (AS3959-2018) sets only one restriction for gutter protection, regardless of the bushfire attack level (BAL). (see excerpt below) Below is a brief breakdown of the requirements for each BAL level. In addition, compared to aluminum coatings, it is better to maintain it. If you damage a board, you still have access to unscrewing that single board and not compared to aluminum where the boards are locked together, and you`ll have to loosen multiple boards or even most of the floors just to get to one place. If you scratch it, you can retouch it with a stain to update it. The video below gives you a more real example of an inex terrace in operation.

This is a cement-based patio panel that you will discolor when it is laid. Compared to aluminum coatings, which are often “tiny” under the feet, this product is denser because it is made of concrete, but even when stained, it looks more like a traditional wooden deck. Below is a list of requirements that apply to decks for buildings with different BAL ratings: You must seek professional advice and verify that your intended design meets the requirements of Council and the Code before proceeding with a construction project. If your property has received a BAL FZ rating, you need to make sure that everything you build on it, including your deck, complies with as-3959. According to this standard, your deck must be: – Unspaced – Non-flammable, a fiber cement panel or patio system according to AS 1530.8.2 (i.e. it has passed simulated bushfire attack tests) or a combination of these.