This Guide has been written to help architects, designers, builders and owners to understand the Standard and what is required for each of the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) areas. It focuses on traditional building methods using timber.Where applicable, the contents explain alternative ways of compliance. For instance, there are several ways to comply with the Standard with respect to windows. One is the permanent fitting of bushfire shutters or screens. Another is to lift windows higher than 400 mm off the nearest external ‘horizontal’ surface – this saves on the extra glazing and joinery requirements needed to protect a lower window. Building safely means building bushfires out – it does not necessarily mean abandoning timber. In fact, the first roof system tested to comply with the most demanding BAL-FZ (Flame Zone) requirements uses seasoned plywood as a roof membrane to provide additional ‘insulation’ and to support other components. This roof system has now been incorporated into AS 3959 as a deemed-to-satisfy solution.

WS04-2012