To find out if you live in an area that is subject or likely to be subject to bushfires, create a property report using the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s VicPlan website. This report will tell you whether your property is in a BPA or BMO.
How do I find my Vic BAL rating?
How do I find out the BAL for my property? To find out the BAL for your property, you will need to have a bushfire hazard assessment undertaken. Anyone can undertake a BAL assessment. However, the assessment must be acceptable to the building surveyor issuing your building permit.
What does Bal 12.5 require in Victoria?
The key element for Bushfire Attack Level of BAL-12.5 bushfire construction is avoiding an ember attack hence the requirement of ember guards/mesh and bushfire shutters on all openings.
Is Eltham a bushfire zone?
Some urban areas of Eltham, Diamond Creek and Greensborough are not included in the Bushfire Prone Area mapping and the exemptions no longer apply to these areas.
What areas are prone to fire?
6 Common Places Fires in Buildings Begin
- Kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of fires in both commercial and residential buildings.
- Electrical Systems. Source.
- Smoking Areas.
- HVAC System.
- Storage Areas.
- Office Spaces.
How much does a BAL assessment cost in Victoria?
Breakdown of Standard Fees
| Greyhound Racing Victoria reports | |
|---|---|
| GRV report | 2100 |
| GRV site plan | 990 |
| Bushfire Management Planning & Design | |
| Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment | 460 |
Is a bal 12.5 good?
BAL 12.5 – Ember Risk
This rating carries a sufficient enough risk of fire from embers or burning debris to warrant construction requirements. However, BAL 12.5 does not signify enough heat to affect windows or other building elements.
Does a BAL rating affect home insurance?
Depending on the BAL Rating applicable to your property, the additional costs associated with the rectification of damage caused to your property, be it by fire, storm, impact, etc. need to be included within your Building Sum Insured and not be exhausted under your insurance policy.
What is the difference between Bal 12.5 and Bal 19?
The remnant vegetation (type and proximity) surrounding the site is the most important component when assessing bushfire risk and assigning BALs. Based on this assessment, three BAL levels have been assigned to this development: BAL –12.5 (low risk), BAL –19 (moderate risk), BAL –29 (high risk).
How do I reduce my BAL rating?
Depending on the outcomes of your BAL assessment, building construction standards can be increased to meet the requirements of your assessed BAL. Alternatively, vegetation modification surrounding the allotment/dwelling can be undertaken to reduce the BAL and consequent exposure level during a bushfire.
Am I in bushfire prone area?
To confirm whether the lot is bush fire prone, you can check on the Section 10.7 Planning Certificate which can be obtained from the relevant Council. The Tool does not provide an assessment of the bush fire risk you may face on your property.
Is Eltham regional Victoria?
Eltham (/ˈɛlθəm/ ( listen)) is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 km north-east of the Central Business District, located within the Shire of Nillumbik local government area. Eltham recorded a population of 18,847 at the 2021 census.
How high above sea level is Eltham Vic?
Eltham varies in altitude / elevation / height above sea level from about 22 m (highlight point) to 125 m (highlight point) above sea level.
What starts most house fires?
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, starting almost half of all fires. Heating is the second highest cause, followed by electrical systems/lighting equipment and intentional fires.
What rooms do most house fires start?
Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home. The second leading cause of home fires are heating sources like wood stoves, and fireplaces.
Why do most house fires happen at night?
And these fires have a high potential for tragedy since they often happen when people are asleep. These fires are often due to faulty or overtaxed wiring or malfunctioning lighting,6 but bedroom fires also start with cords, space heaters, or electric blankets.
What does bal 40 require?
Under BAL 40 requirements, decking must be made of non-combustible material and should not be spaced. Decking supports must either be non-combustible (steel or concrete) or be fully enclosed. Gaps greater than 3mm in decking should be protected by corrosion resistant steel mesh with apertures less than 2mm in size.
What is a BAL certificate?
A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Certificate verifies the level of bushfire threat in accordance with AS 3959:2018 – ‘Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas’ and must be obtained to accompany a Complying Development Certificate Application where the project is located on bushfire prone land.
What does bushfire prone area mean?
Bush fire prone land (BFPL) is land that has been identified by local council which can support a bush fire or is subject to bush fire attack.
Can I build in flame zone?
Don’t build in the Flame Zone
Areas with BAL-FZ ‘flame zone’ may have bushfire flames directly against the house. In catastrophic conditions, it is impossible to defend a house in this situation. Don’t build in the Flame Zone.
What does bal 19 mean?
Bushfire Attack Level
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) – 19 (Moderate)
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.