NCC 2016 Volume Two
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Part 3.7.4 Bushfire Areas

Part 3.7.4 Bushfire Areas

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Appropriate Performance Requirements

Where an alternative bushfire protection design is proposed as a Performance Solution to that described in Part 3.7.4, that proposal must comply with—

  1. P2.3.4; and
  2. the relevant Performance Requirements determined in accordance with 1.0.7.

Acceptable construction manuals

3.7.4.0

is satisfied for—

(a)

a Class 1 building; or

(b)

a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building,

located in a designated bushfire prone area if it is constructed in accordance with—

(c)

AS 3959; or

(d)

NASH Standard – Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas.

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATIONS

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATIONS

3.7.4.0 is replaced with the following clause in New South Wales:

is satisfied, in a designated bushfire prone area, for—

(a)

a Class 1 building; or

(b)

a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building,

if it is constructed in accordance with the following:

(c)

AS 3959, except for Section 9 Construction for Bushfire Attack Level FZ (BAL–FZ); or

(d)

NASH Standard – Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas; except for buildings subject to Bushfire Attack Level FZ (BAL-FZ); or

(e)

the requirements of (c) or (d) above as modified by the development consent following consultation with the NSW Rural Fire Service under section 79BA of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979; or

(f)

the requirements of (c) or (d) above as modified by development consent with a bushfire safety authority issued under section 100B of the Rural Fires Act 1997 for the purposes of integrated development.

Explanatory information

Explanatory information:

In New South Wales, buildings subject to BAL-FZ must comply with specific conditions of development consent for construction at this level.

3.7.4.0 is replaced with the following clause in Queensland:

(a)

Subject to (b), Performance Requirement is satisfied for—

(i)

a Class 1 building; or

(ii)

a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building,

located in a designated bushfire prone area if it is constructed in accordance with—

(iii)

AS 3959; or

(iv)

NASH Standard – Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas.

(b)

The requirements of (a) do not apply when, in accordance with AS 3959, the classified vegetation is Group F rainforest (excluding wet sclerophyll forest types), mangrove communities and grasslands under 300 mm high.

3.7.4.0 does not apply in South Australia.

3.7.4.0 is replaced with the following clause in Tasmania:

is satisfied for a Class 1 building or a Class 10a building or deck associated with a Class 1 building located in a designated bushfire prone area if—

(a)

it is constructed in accordance with—

(i)

AS 3959; or

(ii)

NASH Standard – Steel Framed Construction in Bushfire Areas; except for buildings subject to Bushfire Attack Level FZ (BAL-FZ); and

(b)

vehicle access is provided to the building in accordance with Tas 3.7.4.1; and

(c)

a water supply is provided to the building in accordance with Tas 3.7.4.2.

Acceptable construction practice

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATIONS

STATE AND TERRITORY VARIATIONS

In South Australia insert SA 3.7.4.1, SA 3.7.4.2, SA 3.7.4.3 and Table SA 3.7.4.1 as follows:

SA 3.7.4.1 Application

Compliance with this acceptable construction practice satisfies Performance Requirement for:

(a)

a Class 1 building; or

(b)

a Class 10a building or deck located within 6 m of a Class 1 building that is required to comply with this Part,

constructed in a designated bushfire prone area.

SA 3.7.4.2 Bushfire attack levels

Where a site is located in a designated bushfire prone area, the bushfire attack level that applies to the site is—

(a)

for areas identified as General Bushfire Risk areas in South Australian Development Plans, the BAL - Low bushfire attack level; and

(b)

for areas identified as Medium Bushfire Risk areas in South Australian Development Plans, the BAL - 12.5 bushfire attack level; and

(c)

for areas identified as High Bushfire Risk areas in South Australian Development Plans, the bushfire attack level assessed for the site in accordance with the requirements of AS 3959; and

(d)

for Excluded Areas within 500 m of a High Bushfire Risk area, as identified in South Australian Development Plans, the BAL - Low bushfire attack level; and

(e)

for Excluded Areas within 100 m of a High Bushfire Risk area, as identified in South Australian Development Plans, the bushfire attack level assessed for the site in accordance with AS 3959.

SA 3.7.4.3 Construction requirements
(a)

A Class 1 building, or a Class 10a building or deck required to comply with this Part, must be constructed in accordance with Table SA 3.7.4.1 for the bushfire attack level for the site.

(b)

A Class 10a building or deck is not required to comply with SA 3.7.4.3(a) if it is separated from a Class 1 building by—

(i)

for a Class 10a building or deck attached to or sharing a common roof space with a Class 1 building, a wall that extends from the footings or concrete slab to the underside of a non-combustible roof covering and complies with one of the following:

(A)

The wall has an FRL of not less than 60/60/60 for loadbearing walls, and -/60/60 for non-loadbearing walls when tested from the Class 10 side.

(B)

The wall is of masonry, earth wall or masonry-veneer construction where the masonry leaf is not less than 90 mm in thickness.

(ii)

for a Class 10a building or deck located below a Class 1 building, separating floor and/or wall construction complying with one of the following:

(A)

The floor and/or wall has an FRL of not less than 60/60/60 for loadbearing construction, and -/60/60 for non-loadbearing construction when tested from the Class 10 side.

(B)

Where part or all of the separating construction is a wall, the wall need not comply with (A) if it complies with SA 3.7.4.3(b)(i)(B).

(iii)

for a Class 10a building or deck located within 6 m of a Class 1 building, comply with SA 3.7.4.3(b)(i).

(c)

Openings in separating construction referred to in SA 3.7.4.3(b)(i) and (ii) must comply with the following:

(i)

Doorways must be protected by -/60/30 self-closing fire doors.

(ii)

Windows must be protected by -/60/- fire windows permanently fixed in the closed position.

(iii)

Other openings (excluding control and construction joints, subfloor vents, weepholes and penetrations for pipes and conduits) must be protected by construction with an FRL of not less than -/60/-.

(d)

For the purposes of Table SA 3.7.4.1 bushfire-resisting timber is timber that is in solid, laminated or reconstituted form that meets the criteria specified in Appendix F of AS 3959.

(e)

Where any material, element of construction or system satisfies the test criteria of either AS 1530.8.1, for BAL — 12.5, BAL — 29 and BAL — 40 and AS 1530.8.2 for BAL – FZ, it satisfies the requirements of that BAL.

(f)

If any material, element of construction or system satisfies the test criteria without screening for ember protection, the requirements for screening of openable parts of windows must still apply.

(g)

Polycarbonate may be used as roof sheeting for Class 10a buildings located within 6 m of a Class 1 building for BAL – Low, BAL – 12.5, BAL – 19 and BAL – 29 sites.

Table SA 3.7.4.1 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR BAL – LOW, BAL – 12.5, BAL – 19, BAL – 29, BAL – 40 and BAL – FZ SITES

FLOOR SYSTEMS
1. BAL — Low

A flooring system must comply with one or a combination of the following:

  1. A concrete slab-on-ground.
  2. A suspended concrete floor.
  3. A framed floor where, if the underside is greater than 600 mm above finished ground or paving level, the subfloor space is enclosed with—
    1. a non-combustible sheet material. If fibre-reinforced cement sheets are used for this purpose, the sheets must have a minimum thickness of 6 mm; or
    2. a wall that extends around the perimeter of the floor from the underside of the lowest framing member to finished ground or paving level and is constructed in accordance with clauses 7.4.1 and 7.4.2 of the BAL – 29 requirements of AS 3959. Sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5; or
    3. a vertical non-combustible sheet material that extends around the perimeter of the floor from the underside of the lowest framing member to finished ground or paving level. If fibre-reinforced cement sheets are used for this purpose, the sheets must have a minimum thickness of 6 mm.
  4. A framed floor where, if any joist and/or bearer is less than 600 mm above finished ground or paving level, the subfloor space is—
    1. if unenclosed, constructed from flooring materials, including bearers, joists and flooring that comply with clause 7.3.2.2 (a) and (b) of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959; or
    2. enclosed with a wall complying with (c)(ii); or
    3. enclosed with non-combustible sheet material that extends not less than 400 mm above finished ground or paving level and to the bottom of the wall sheeting material. If fibre reinforced cement sheets are used for this purpose, the sheets must have a minimum thickness of 6 mm.

A flooring system complying with (c) or (d)(ii) or (iii) must have all of the joints in the external surface of walls covered, sealed, overlapped, backed or butt-jointed to prevent gaps greater than 3 mm. Alternatively, sarking-type material can be applied over the frame prior to fixing any external sheeting.
2. BAL — 12.5

As per BAL — Low requirements of this table, with the following variation—

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used to enclose a subfloor space.
3. BAL — 19

As per BAL — Low requirements of this table, with the following variation—

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used to enclose a subfloor space.
4. BAL — 29

As per BAL — Low requirements of this table, with the following variation—

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used to enclose a subfloor space.
5. BAL — 40

A flooring system must comply with clause 8.3 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. Where a wall is used to enclose the subfloor space, any required sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
  2. The subfloor space of a framed floor must not be enclosed with mesh or perforated sheet made from corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium.
6. BAL — FZ

A flooring system must comply with clause 9.3 of the BAL – FZ requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation—

  1. Where a wall is used to enclose the subfloor space, any required sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
  2. The subfloor space of a framed floor must not be enclosed with mesh or perforated sheet made from corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium.
SUPPORTING POSTS, COLUMNS, STUMPS, PIERS AND POLES
(except in subfloor spaces enclosed by aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet as described in FLOORING SYSTEMS 1 BAL — Low (d))
1. BAL — Low

Supporting posts, columns, stumps, piers and poles must comply with one or a combination of the following:

  1. A non-combustible material.
  2. Bushfire-resisting timber for not less than 400 mm above finished ground or paving level.
  3. Timber mounted on metal stirrups with a clearance of not less than 75 mm above finished ground or paving level.
2. BAL — 12.5
As per BAL — Low requirements in this table.
3. BAL — 19
As per BAL — Low requirements in this table.
4. BAL — 29
Supporting posts, columns, stumps, piers and poles must comply with clause 7.2 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959.
5. BAL — 40
Supporting posts, columns, stumps, piers and poles must comply with clause 8.2 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959.
6. BAL — FZ
Supporting posts, columns, stumps, piers and poles must comply with clause 9.2 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959.
EXTERNAL WALLS
1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

The exposed components of external walls must comply with one or a combination of the following:

  1. Clauses 7.4.1(a) and 7.4.2 of the BAL – 29 requirements of AS 3959 and any sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
  2. A timber or steel-framed wall that—
    1. is sarked on the outside of the frame with sarking-type material having a Flammability Index of not more than 5; and
    2. complies with clauses 5.4.1 and 5.4.2 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959.
3. BAL — 19

The exposed components of external walls must comply with one or a combination of the following:

  1. Clauses 7.4.1(a) and 7.4.2 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959 and any sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
  2. A timber or steel-framed wall that—
    1. is sarked on the outside of the frame with sarking-type material having a Flammability Index of not more than 5; and
    2. complies with clauses 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959.
4. BAL — 29
The exposed components of external walls must comply with clauses 7.4.1 and 7.4.2 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959 and any sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
5. BAL — 40
The exposed components of external walls must comply with clauses 8.4.1 and 8.4.2 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959 and any sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
6. BAL — FZ
The exposed components of external walls must comply with clauses 9.4.1 and 9.4.2 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959 and any sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
WINDOWS
1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

Window assemblies, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 5.5.1, 5.5.1A and 5.5.2 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959.
3. BAL — 19

Window assemblies, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 6.5.1, 6.5.1A and 6.5.2 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh must not be used in the window screens.
  2. Where leadlight windows are installed they must be protected by non-combustible shutters or toughened glass.
  3. Where timber is used, it must be bushfire-resisting timber.
4. BAL — 29

Window assemblies, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 7.5.1, 7.5.1A and 7.5.2(a) or (b)(i), (ii), (iii) and (v) of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. Aluminium mesh must not be used in the window screens.
5. BAL — 40
Window assemblies, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 8.5.1, 8.5.1A and 8.5.2 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959.
6. BAL — FZ
Window assemblies, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 9.5.1, 9.5.1A and 9.5.2 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959.

EXTERNAL DOORS
(including side-hung external doors such as French doors, panel fold and bi-fold doors, sliding doors and garage doors)

1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

Doors and door frames, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 5.5.1, 5.5.1A and 5.5.3, 5.5.4 and 5.5.5 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959.
3. BAL — 19

Doors and door frames, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 6.5.1, 6.5.1A and 6.5.3, 6.5.4 and 6.5.5 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959, with the following variation:

  1. Aluminium mesh must not be used in the door screens.
4. BAL — 29

Doors and door frames, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 7.5.1, 7.5.1A and 7.5.3(a) or (b) or (c)(i)(A), (C) or (D), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii), 7.5.4 and 7.5.5 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959, with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh must not be used in the door screens.
  2. If shutters are used for side-hung or sliding doors, they must be non-combustible.
  3. Side-hung doors must be solid-core with a minimum thickness of 35 mm.
5. BAL — 40
Doors and door frames, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 8.5.1, 8.5.1A and 8.5.3(a) or (b)(i)(A), (ii), (iii), (v), (vi), (vii) and (viii), 8.5.4 and 8.5.5 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959.
6. BAL — FZ
Doors and door frames, and shutters and screens where fitted, must comply with clauses 9.5.1, 9.5.1A and 9.5.3, 9.5.4 and 9.5.5 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959.

VENTS AND WEEPHOLES
 (including vents and weepholes located in external walls and subfloor spaces)

1. BAL — Low
Vents to subfloor spaces and weepholes must be fitted with ember guards made from corrosion-resistant steel, bronze or aluminium mesh or perforated sheet with a maximum aperture size of 2 mm.
2. BAL — 12.5

As per the BAL — Low requirements of this table.
3. BAL — 19

As per the BAL — Low requirements of this table with the following variation:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for the ember guards.
4. BAL — 29
As per the BAL – 19 requirements of this table.
5. BAL — 40
As per the BAL – 19 requirements of this table.
6. BAL — FZ
As per the BAL – 19 requirements of this table.
ROOFS
(including verandahs and attached carport roofs, eaves linings, fascias, gables)
1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

Roofs must comply with clauses 5.6.1, 5.6.2, 5.6.3, 5.6.4 and 5.6.6 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. Any sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
3. BAL — 19

Roofs must comply with clauses 6.6.1, 6.6.2, 6.6.3, 6.6.4 and 6.6.6 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. Any sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
  3. Fascias and bargeboards must be—
    1. non-combustible; or
    2. bushfire-resisting timber; or
    3. a combination of (i) and (ii).
  4. Timber eaves lining and joining strips in linings, fascias and gables must be of bushfire-resisting timber.
4. BAL — 29

Roofs must comply with clauses 7.6.1, 7.6.2, 7.6.3, 7.6.4 and 7.6.6 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. Any sarking-type material must have a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
  3. Fascias and bargeboards must be—
    1. non-combustible ; or
    2. bushfire-resisting timber; or
    3. a combination of (i) and (ii).
  4. Joining strips in lining, fascias and gables must be of bushfire-resisting timber.
  5. Fibre-reinforced cement or aluminium must not be used for roof sheeting or fascias.
  6. Aluminium must not be used for eaves lining.
5. BAL — 40

Roofs must comply with clauses 8.6.1, 8.6.2, 8.6.3, 8.6.4 and 8.6.6 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Sheet roofs (metal or fibre-cement sheet) must be fully sarked with a sarking-type material having a Flammability Index of not more than 5.
  2. Joining strips in eaves lining, fascias and gables must be of bushfire-resisting timber.
  3. Fibre-reinforced cement or aluminium must not be used for roof sheeting or fascias.
  4. Aluminium must not be used for eaves lining.
6. BAL — FZ

Roofs must comply with clauses 9.6.1, 9.6.2, 9.6.3 and 9.6.4 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:
ROOF LIGHTS
(including vented roof lights and skylights)
1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

Roof lights must comply with clause 5.6.5 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. Roof lights and associated shafts through the roof space must be sealed with a non-combustible sleeve or lining.
3. BAL — 19

Roof lights must comply with clause 6.6.5 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. Roof lights and associated shafts through the roof space must be sealed with a non-combustible sleeve or lining.
4. BAL — 29

Roof lights must comply with clause 7.6.5 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. Roof lights and associated shafts through the roof space must be sealed with a non-combustible sleeve or lining.
5. BAL — 40

Roof lights must comply with clause 8.6.5 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. Roof lights and associated shafts through the roof space must be sealed with a non-combustible sleeve or lining.
6. BAL — FZ
Roof lights must comply with clause 9.6.3 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959.
ROOF-MOUNTED EVAPORATIVE COOLING UNITS
1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

Evaporative coolers must comply with clause 5.6.5 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
3. BAL — 19

Evaporative coolers must comply with clause 6.6.5 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
4. BAL — 29

Evaporative coolers must comply with clause 7.6.5 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
5. BAL — 40
Evaporative coolers must not be installed where the site has been classified as BAL — 40.
6. BAL — FZ
Evaporative coolers must not be installed where the site has been classified as BAL — FZ.
OTHER ROOF PENETRATIONS
(including roof ventilators, aerials, vent pipes and supports for solar collectors)
1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

Roof penetrations must comply with clause 5.6.5 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. All components of roof ventilators (including rotary ventilators), aerials, vent pipes and supports for solar collectors must be of non-combustible material.
3. BAL — 19

Roof penetrations must comply with clause 6.6.5 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. All components of roof ventilators (including rotary ventilators), aerials, vent pipes and supports for solar collectors must be of non-combustible material.
4. BAL — 29

Roof penetrations must comply with clause 7.6.5 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variations:

  1. Aluminium mesh or aluminium perforated sheet must not be used for screening purposes.
  2. All components of roof ventilators (including rotary ventilators), aerials, vent pipes and supports for solar collectors must be of non-combustible material.
5. BAL — 40

Roof penetrations must comply with clause 8.6.5 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. All components of roof ventilators (including rotary ventilators), aerials, vent pipes and supports for solar collectors must be of non-combustible material.
6. BAL — FZ

Roof penetrations must comply with clause 9.6.3 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. All components of aerials, vent pipes and supports for solar collectors must be of non-combustible material.
GUTTERS AND DOWNPIPES
1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

Gutters and downpipes must comply with clause 5.6.7 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959.
3. BAL — 19

Gutters and downpipes must comply with clause 6.6.7 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959.
4. BAL — 29
Gutters and downpipes must comply with clause 7.6.7 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959.
5. BAL — 40
Gutters and downpipes must comply with clause 8.6.7 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959.
6. BAL — FZ
Gutters and downpipes must comply with clause 9.6.5 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959.
WATER AND GAS SUPPLY PIPES
1. BAL — Low
No requirements.
2. BAL — 12.5

Water and gas supply pipes must comply with clause 5.8 of the BAL — 12.5 requirements of AS 3959.
3. BAL — 19

Water and gas supply pipes must comply with clause 6.8 of the BAL — 19 requirements of AS 3959.
4. BAL — 29
Water and gas supply pipes must comply with clause 7.8 of the BAL — 29 requirements of AS 3959.
5. BAL — 40
Water and gas supply pipes must comply with clause 8.8 of the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959.
6. BAL — FZ
Water and gas supply pipes must comply with clause 9.8 of the BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959.
VERANDAHS, DECKS, STEPS, RAMPS AND LANDINGS
(including balustrades, handrails or other barriers)
1. BAL — Low

Verandahs, decks, steps and trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings must comply with one or a combination of the following:

  1. A concrete slab-on-ground.
  2. A suspended concrete slab.
  3. Any supporting posts or columns must comply with the BAL — Low requirements of this table for supporting posts, columns, stumps, piers and poles.
  4. Any supporting walls must comply with the BAL — 12.5 requirements of this table for external walls.
  5. Where sheeted or tongued and grooved solid flooring is used, the flooring system must comply with the BAL — Low requirements of this table for flooring systems.
  6. Where a timber deck is used—
    1. the gap between the timber decking must not be less than 5 mm; and
    2. to facilitate access for extinguishment, the perimeter of the deck must not be enclosed or access to the space beneath the deck impeded; and
    3. the timber decking and flooring must be separated from the remainder of the building in a manner that will not spread the fire into the building.
2. BAL — 12.5

Verandahs, decks, steps and trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings must comply with the BAL — Low requirements of this table with the following variations:

  1. Any supporting posts or columns must comply with the BAL — 12.5 requirements of this table for supporting posts, column stumps, piers and poles.
  2. Where sheeted or tongued and grooved solid flooring is used, the flooring system must comply with the BAL — 12.5 requirements of this table for flooring systems.
3. BAL — 19

Verandahs, decks, steps and trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings must comply with the BAL — Low requirements of this table with the following variations:

  1. Any supporting posts or columns must comply with the BAL — 19 requirements of this table for supporting posts, column stumps, piers and poles.
  2. Any supporting walls must comply with the BAL — 19 requirements of this table for external walls.
  3. Where sheeted or tongued and grooved solid flooring is used, the flooring system must comply with the BAL — 19 requirements of this table for flooring systems.
  4. Where spaced timber deck flooring is used, bushfire-resisting timber must be used for the decking material.
4. BAL — 29

Verandahs, decks, steps and trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings must comply with the BAL — Low requirements of this table with the following variations:

  1. Any supporting posts or columns must comply with the BAL — 29 requirements of this table for supporting posts, column stumps, piers and poles.
  2. Any supporting walls must comply with the BAL — 29 requirements of this table for external walls.
  3. Where sheeted or tongued and grooved solid flooring is used, the flooring system must comply with the BAL — 29 requirements of this table for flooring systems.
  4. Where spaced timber deck flooring is used, bushfire-resisting timber must be used for the decking material.
  5. Balustrades and handrails must be non-combustible, or if timber is used, it must be bushfire-resisting timber.
5. BAL — 40

Verandahs, decks, steps and trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings must comply with the BAL — 40 requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. Balustrades and handrails must be non-combustible.
6. BAL — FZ

Verandahs, decks, steps and trafficable surfaces of ramps and landings must comply with BAL — FZ requirements of AS 3959 with the following variation:

  1. Balustrades and handrails must be non-combustible.

In Tasmania insert Tas 3.7.4.1 and Tas 3.7.4.2 as follows:

Tas 3.7.4.1 Vehicular access
(a)

A Class 1 building in a designated bushfire prone area and the fire fighting water supply access point must be accessible by a private access road which is designed, constructed and maintained to a standard not less than a Modified 4C Access Road.

(b)

A Modified 4C Access Road is an all weather road which complies with the Australian Road Research Board "Unsealed Roads Manual – Guidelines to Good Practice", 3rd Edition, March 2009 as a classification 4C Access Road and the following modified requirements:

(i)

Single lane private access roads less than 6 m carriageway width must have 20 m long passing bays of 6 m carriageway width not more than 100 m apart.

(ii)

A private access road longer than 100 m must be provided with a driveway encircling the building, or a hammerhead "T" or "Y" turning head 4 m wide and 8 m long, or a trafficable circular turning area of 10 m radius.

(iii)

Culverts and bridges must be designed for a minimum vehicle load of 20 tonnes.

(iv)

Vegetation must be cleared for a height of 4 m, above the carriageway, and 2 m each side of the carriageway.

Tas 3.7.4.2 Water Supply
(a)

The exterior elements of a Class 1 building in a designated bushfire prone area must be within reach of a 120 m long hose connected to—

(i)

a fire hydrant; or

(ii)

a stored water supply in a water tank, swimming pool, dam or lake available for fire fighting at all times which has a capacity of at least 10,000 L for each separate building.

(b)

A water tank and above ground pipes and fittings used for a stored water supply must be made of non-rusting, non-combustible, non-heat-deforming materials and must be situated more than 6 m from a building.

(c)

The water tank must have an opening in the top of not less than 250 mm diameter or be fitted with a DIN or NEN standard forged Storz 65 mm adaptor fitted with a suction washer.