Rohan Madathanapalli has over a decade of experience in the national building industry as a Business Development Manager and technical advisor within the manufacturing field – specifically building envelope solutions for large commercial projects.
His expertise includes provision of technical solutions and advice, product development, and engineering research. Rohan has partnered with the design and construct fraternity on major large-scale roofing, façade, and re-cladding projects across government, education, healthcare, retail, sports facilities, and high-rise residential/commercial sectors.
Rohan operates as a Business Development Manager and Technical Consultant for Bondor Metecno Group.
We spoke with Rohan about BAL ratings in Australia, how these ratings influence construction materials and methods, and the importance of proper installation and compliance with Australian standards for safety and insurance eligibility in bushfire-prone areas.
What are BAL ratings and how are they applied to buildings in Australia?
BAL (Bush Fire Attack Level) ratings are a classification system in Australia that measure the potential threat a building may face from bushfires.
The ratings assess the risk of ember attack, radiant heat exposure, and direct flame contact, helping determine the necessary construction measures for homes in bushfire-prone areas.
BAL ratings range from BAL Low (minimal risk) to BAL FZ (highest risk level). These ratings influence the design and material selection for buildings, as determined through site-specific assessments by professionals.
BAL | Radiant heat exposure (AS 3959) and levels of exposure | Description of Predicted bushfire attack and levels of exposure |
|---|---|---|
Low | Insignificant | The risk is very low and radiant heat on the building is not significant enough to warrant specific construction requirements; however ember attack may still occur. If you are in a designated BPA and your bushfire attack level is BAL – LOW, you must still construct to a minimum BAL 12.5. |
BAL – 12.5 | 0 to 12.5 kW/m2 | Primarily risk of ember attack; risk of radiant heat is considered low. |
BAL – 19 | 12.5 to 19 kW/m2 | Risk is considered moderate with increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind borne embers; increasing likelihood of exposure to radiant heat. |
BAL – 29 | 19 to 29 kW/m2 | Risk is considered to be high with increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind borne embers; increasing likelihood of exposure to radiant heat. |
BAL – 40 | 29 to 40 kW/m2 | Risk is considered to be very high. Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind borne embers; increasing likelihood of exposure to radiant heat and some direct exposure to flames possible. |
BAL – FZ | 40 kW/m2 + (flame contact) | Risk is considered to be extreme. Direct exposure to flames from fire front is likely in addition to high levels of radiant heat exposure and ember attack. |
Every building is required to comply with the construction standards outlined in the national Australian standard AS 3959 against its assigned BAL rating. These standards specify requirements for materials, glazing, ceilings, and ember protection.
Are BAL ratings different between jurisdictions in Australia?
While the BAL rating system is national, based on the AS 3959 standard, individual state and local governments may impose additional requirements or interpretations of the standard.
It is always recommended to consult your local authorities or a professional bushfire consultant for any state specific variations when determining the appropriate BAL rating and construction requirements for a building in a bushfire-prone area.
If a homeowner’s property is located within a mapped bushfire-prone area, or is assigned a BAL rating by a consultant, then they know their home is in a high-risk zone and will need to comply with the relevant construction standards and requirements.
Are BAL ratings the same as fire resistance ratings? If not, what’s the difference between these ratings?
No, BAL ratings and fire resistance ratings are not the same thing.
The key difference is that BAL ratings are bushfire-specific, while fire resistance ratings, or FRLs (Fire Resistance Levels) evaluate broader fire resistance capabilities of building materials and assemblies.
FRLs measure how long a building component, such as walls, floors, or doors, can maintain its structural adequacy, integrity, and insulation during a standard fire scenario. FRLs are typically expressed as three numbers separated by slashes, representing:
- The number of minutes the component can maintain its structural adequacy
- The number of minutes the component can maintain its integrity (remain intact)
- The number of minutes the component can provide insulation
For example, an FRL of 90/60/30 means the component can:
- Maintain structural adequacy for 90 minutes
- Maintain integrity for 60 minutes
- Provide insulation for 30 minutes
While both BAL ratings and FRLs relate to fire safety, they serve distinct purposes. BAL ratings focus on bushfire-specific risks, while FRLs assess general fire resistance performance.
Depending on the building and its location, both BAL compliance and FRL ratings may be important considerations for ensuring comprehensive bushfire safety.
What products does Bondor offer that are appropriate for achieving optimal BAL ratings?
All Bondor Metecno walling and roofing systems are suitable for applications requiring BAL ratings between BAL 12.5 and BAL 40.
Bondor has three main products that meet the highest BAL FZ (Flame Zone) rating requirements:
- LuxeWall FlameGuard – a non-combustible panel with a mineral core. It achieves a 60-minute fire rating for residential (FRL 60/60/60). It can also achieve an FRL of 90/90/90 suitable for multi-residential and commercial applications.
- Equitilt FlameGuard Plus – a non-combustible and fire-rated walling product with a mineral core. It has been tested and certified to achieve up to a 3 Hour Fire Rating. It can achieve project specific FRL requirements of -/60/60, -/90/90 or -/120/120 in addition to the -/180/180 (3 hours).
- MetencoPanel – a polyisocyanurate (PIR) fire-retardant core panel that can offer an FRL of 60/30/30 in the thickest 200mm version.
Their non-combustible compositions and fire resistance ratings make these products suitable choices for construction in extreme bushfire-prone areas.
These Bondor products have been tested and certified to comply with the relevant Australian Standards (AS 3959 and AS 1530.8.2) for the highest BAL FZ requirements.
What do homeowners need to know about BAL ratings?
Homeowners in bushfire prone areas should understand their property’s BAL rating and how it affects construction requirements. To find out whether the home is in a bushfire zone, homeowners can engage a consultant for assessment, or check local council mapping portal.
The property’s BAL rating will inform the requirements for the home to remain compliant to relevant construction standards when it comes to building materials for walls, roofs, windows, and doors.
Maintaining a defensible space around the home by clearing vegetation and combustible materials is also crucial. Compliance with BAL-rated construction not only improves the safety and resilience of the home, but can also impact insurance eligibility in high-risk bushfire zones.
What do builders, designers and architects need to know about BAL ratings?
Builders, designers, and architects need to proactively conduct BAL rating assessment during the initial planning and design phase of a project. If it is happening during the construction process it is too late.
Conducting the BAL assessment first the team can make informed decisions about material selection, construction methods, and compliance from square one.
The need to specify materials that meet the BAL compliance standards outlined in the AS 3959, as well as any additional local guidelines. For the highest BAL FZ (Flame Zone) rating, they need to ensure they use tested and certified non-combustible products.
Beyond just meeting the standards, however, the chosen materials must also have the proper product warranties, certifications, and proven performance in bushfire-prone applications.
The installation method is just as important as the materials themselves in maintaining the intended level of compliance. A key aspect is ensuring that any gaps, joints, and penetrations in the building envelope are properly sealed. This is essential to prevent the entry of embers, which pose a major fire risk in bushfire-prone conditions.
Cutting corners on installation can undermine the effectiveness of even the most fire-resistant materials.
Talk to Bondor Metecno’s technical team for BAL compliance
Bondor Metecno is Australia’s largest manufacturer of CodeMark and FM-accredited insulated roofing and walling panels with distinct core materials available to address any performance requirement across fire, thermal and long spans. Our products are designed to suit Australian conditions and Australian Standards of construction.
Whether you are a homeowner, or a builder or architect, our dedicated technical team that can provide guidance and recommendations to help you select the appropriate Bondor products based on your project requirements and BAL rating.
Contact us today for help in navigating the complexities of BAL requirements and selecting the appropriate fire-resistant solutions for your project.