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AS 3959 - 2009
Building or renovating domestic premises in bushfire prone areas construction standard
In the wake of the recent bad bushfire seasons, the requirements of Australian Standard 3959 - 2009 Building in Bushfire Prone Areas - are being upgraded and increasingly enforced in areas where bushfire risk is evident. Compliance with the standard is required in construction of new buildings and certain renovations and extensions. This standard has now been enacted in Victoria and other sates will, in time follow suit.
AS 3959 - 2009 revision is the Standard that sets out the minimum construction requirements for each of five levels of defined Bushfire Hazard. This is determined by completing a threat matrix that looks at vegetations type and proximity and the slope of the land.
This standard It is not absolutely straight-forward, there are and will continue to be variations to this standard from State to State. It is absolutely imperitive that you consult your locakl Council or a Bushfire Risk Consultant to gain an accurate detirmination of the standard.
Please if you gain nothing else from this section of Bushfireinfo.com take the following on board!
If you are looking to purchase land, or buy an existing premises that you would move to renovate that is located in an area that has the potential to be rated a bushfire risk location, for heavens sake, before you sign contracts, invest the time to go to the local Council and establish if the property is located within a designated bushfire risk zone. Also ensure that you become aware of what level risk level this actually is. The level of risk rating has a direct bearing on the actual cost of build, this may be up to 30-40% more than a conventional build cost. Do NOT assume that a home that is located within a suburban area is not applicable, many are!
Please, I emplore you do not in any manner assume that your builder, architect or specifier are up to speed with the complexities of this new standard, check every thing totally for your self before you commit to a construction or renovation project.
Design and Construction of Homes in Bushfire risk locations
The new AS 3959 - 2009 bushfire code has just been enacted and released. This code covers the design and construction requirements for domestic dwellings being constructed in designated bushfire risk locations. With traditional design and construction it is estimated that it could cost 30% more to build in a bushfire risk location. This may cause significant financial concern for those folk that lost their homes and are now looking to rebuild their lives and homes.
The Great News is that there are already several Australian Design and Building companies that have moved to address this important issue, both from a bushfire safety design aspect and as importantly in a cost effective manner that seeks to keep the costs down to or near that of convential home construction.
This could be a home saver for many families!
BUSHFIRE BUNKERS
Life preservation in bushfire conditions is the key priority!
Rightfully, the issue of emergency bushfire bunkers has been raised. Good old Aussie innovation has moved straight onto the job!
At this time there is a portable bushfire bunker being developed that appears to cover off on both performance and design. This bunker will have up to a "2 hour" fire rating and can include up to 15 minutes oxygen supply for occupants. Looks like this product may be ideal resolve for existing homes and could be encorporated in new builds in bushfire risk areas. The inventors are also looking at bushfire shelters for the likes of horses and valued live stock.
Fire Retarding at risk Soft Wood Construction Timbers.
One key area of the AS 3959 code is the demand for all exterior soft wood timbers be fire retarded that are deemed to be at risk. Currently there is only one Australian company that offers a solid colour - water based fire retardant paint system that complies with the performance demands of the AS 3959 code for both Non - Weather exposed and Weather-Exposed locations. Further Information - www.ceasefire.com.au. Currently there are NO clear timber fire retardants avaiable that meet with the standard. This is mostly due to the servere weathering standards and testing demanded on such a product.
It is worthwhile to read the AS 3959, as that will give you a better idea of what can be expected. The code can be purchased from Australian Standards at www.standards.com.au.
The interpretation and application of the standard also varies from area to area. It is always a good idea to confirm with your local building inspector the way he or she interprets the standard, and what measures you have to take to comply with it. You must understand that while most building inspectors are more than happy to help, it is not their job to be aware of the products available to enable you to comply with the standard - that is your and your builder's responsibility. It is a good idea to alert your building inspector to the existence of the bushfireinfo.com if they are not aware of it already.