Timber in Bushfire Prone Areas

In many parts of Australia, the construction of new buildings and additions to existing
buildings will be assessed as being in a Bushfire-prone Area. The relevant Australian Standard
– AS 3959 – provides six different Bushfire Attack Levels for proposed construction:

1 BAL – LOW 4 BAL – 29

2 BAL – 12.5 5 BAL – 40
3 BAL – 19 6 BAL – FZ (Flame Zone)

Each level is based on the assessed threat dependant on the relevant Fire Danger Index, the
surrounding type of vegetation (e.g. forest, woodland, shrubland etc), the distance from the
site to the vegetation and the ‘effective slope’ under the vegetation.
As the assessed threat increases, so do the restrictions on the building materials that may be
used. Where there are restrictions on the building materials, timber is permitted in many
applications as the tables on pages 3 through 6 ‘Simplified Bushfire Standard Complying
Timber Construction in NSW’ show.

TABMA
NEW SOUTH WALES

TIMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS ASSOCIATION

 Timber in Bushfire Prone Areas
2
The type of timbers that are allowed are dependent on the Bushfire Attack Level of the site.
These timber can be summarised as
BAL12.5 and 19
3
l General Timber – Timber with density of 750 kg/m or greater, are timbers density at 12
percent moisture content. Suitable timbers are listed in AS 3959 Table E1.
l Joinery Timber (window and doors only) – Timber with density of 650 kg/m3 or greater, are
timbers density at 12 percent moisture content. Suitable timbers are listed in AS 3959
Table E2.
BAL29 – Bushfire resisting timber
Can be timber with an inherent resistance to fire or fire retardant treated.
The following seven timber species have been tested and found to meet the required
parameters without having to be subjected to fire retardant treatment:

l Blackbutt l Silvertop Ash

l Merbau l Spotted Gum
l Red Ironbark l Turpentine
l River Red Gum

It should be noted that AS 3959 does not replace any other standards which might set out
minimum requirements for construction in a particular area but rather AS 3959 sets out
requirements which are dependent upon the degree of assessed threat posed by the Bushfire
Attack Level (BAL) and which are additional to the requirements of those other standards.
Further Information
The external use of building materials in houses built in declared bushfire prone areas is
controlled under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) Parts P2.3.4 and 3.7.4. Before the BCA
requirements apply, the local authority must declare the area, in which a house is to be built,
to be a bushfire-prone area.
Compliance with Australian Standard AS 3959 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone
Areas is ‘deemed to satisfy’ the BCA requirements for Class 1 Buildings along with the NSW
Rural Fire Services – Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2006.

TIMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS ASSOCIATION TABMA

NEW SOUTH WALES
 Timber in Bushfire Prone Areas
3
Simplified Bushfire Standard Complying Timber Construction in NSW
In NSW building regulations vary from the requirements in the Acceptable Construction
Manual within the Building Code of Australia (BCA) which is AS 3959 Construction of
Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas standard. The table below incorporates the requirements of
both AS 3959 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas 2009, as well as Planning for
Bushfire Protection – Addendum: Appendix 3, NSW Rural Fire Service – Planning for Bush Fire
Protection.
Although every effort was taken to reflect regulations of AS 3959 Construction of Buildings in
Bushfire-prone Areas standard it is recommended this information sheet is used in
conjunction with AS 3959, especially where in doubt.

Stairs/Decks/Ramps
Building Subfloor
BAL–12.5 and BAL–19 BAL–29 BAL–40 BAL–FZ
Element Space

Wall enclosing Enclosed Less than 400mm from the Timber framing provided Timber framing provided NSW building
subfloor space ground or an external horizontal the framing is clad with the framing is clad with regulations do not
1
surface use timber framing non-combustible material non-combustible clad, i.e. recognise deemed-
provided the framing is clad with or bushfire-resisting timber2 masonry or min 9 mm fibre to-satisfy
non-combustible material such as cement construction
fibre cement, bushfire-resisting solution within this
2
timber or timber with density of BAL. Building
3
750 kg/m or greater. designs will require
an alternative
400 mm or more above the
solution
ground there are no construction
requirement any timber can be
4
used

Subfloor supports Enclosed Any timber4

(posts, stumps,
columns, stair Open
stringers etc) Bushfire-resisting timber2 Metal

Deck/ramp Enclosed Any timber4

bearers and joists
Open Bushfire-resisting timber2 Metal, concrete or brick

Decking and Enclosed

stair treads Bushfire-resisting timber2 Tiled or concrete decks
Open

Balustrades and Enclosed Less than 125 mm from any glazing or any combustible wall handrails Less than 125 mm from any
Handrails and balustrades shall made from non combustible material or glazing or any combustible
Open bushfire-resisting timber
2
wall handrails and
125 mm or more from the building handrails and balustrades have no balustrades shall made from
requirement any timber can be used
4 non-combustible material

TIMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS ASSOCIATION TABMA

NEW SOUTH WALES
 Timber in Bushfire Prone Areas
4

Elevated Floors/Subfloors
Building Subfloor
BAL–12.5 and BAL–19 BAL–29 BAL–40 BAL–FZ
Element Space

Wall enclosing Enclosed Less than 400mm from the Timber framing provided Timber framing provided NSW building
subfloor space ground or an external horizontal the framing is clad with the framing is clad with regulations do not
1
surface use timber framing non-combustible material non-combustible clad, i.e. recognise deemed-
3
provided the framing is clad with or bushfire-resisting timber masonry or min 9 mm fibre to-satisfy
non-combustible material such as cement construction
fibre cement, bushfire-resisting solution within this
2
timbers or timber with density of BAL. Building
3
750 kg/m or greater. designs will require
an alternative
400 mm or more above the
solution
ground there are no construction
requirement any timber can be
4
used

Subfloor supports Enclosed Any timber4

(posts, stumps,
columns etc) Open Bushfire-resisting timber2 Brick, steel or concrete stumps
4
Bearers and joists Enclosed Any timber

Open Less than 400 mm above the ground use Bushfire-resisting timbers2 Any timber provided the
or line the underside of the floor framing with fibre cement or sheet underside of the lowest joist
metal (roofing) or bearer is protected with a
400 mm or more above the ground there are no construction non-combustible material
requirement any timber can be used4 such as a metal roof sheet
or fibre-cement sheeting

Flooring Enclosed Any timber4

Open Less than 400 mm from the ground provided the underside is lined Any timber provided the
2
with sarking or mineral wool or Bushfire-resisting timbers underside of the lowest joist
400 mm or more above the ground there are no construction or bearer is protected with a
requirement any timber can be used
4 non-combustible material
such as a metal roof sheet
or fibre-cement sheeting

TIMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS ASSOCIATION TABMA

NEW SOUTH WALES
 Timber in Bushfire Prone Areas
5
Walls
Building
BAL–12.5 and BAL–19 BAL–29 BAL–40 BAL–FZ
Element

External wall Less than 400mm above the ground or Bushfire-resisting timber and Non-combustible clad, i.e. NSW building
1
surface an external horizontal surface , the sarking required between masonry or min 9 mm fibre regulations do not
cladding is to be timber with density of cladding and framework cement recognise deemed-
3 3
750 kg/m or greater , bushfire- to-satisfy
2
resisting timbers or with non- construction
combustible material solution within this
BAL. Building
400 mm or more above the ground or
1 designs will require
an external horizontal surface there
an alternative
are no construction requirement: any
4 solution
timber can be used
4
External wall Any timber
framing

Internal wall Any timber4

surface

Internal wall Any timber4

framing

External Mouldings/Internal Timbers

Building
BAL–12.5 and BAL–19 BAL–29 BAL–40 BAL–FZ
Element
4
Internal wall Any timber NSW building regulations do not recognise
framing deemed-to-satisfy construction solution within
this BAL. Building designs will require an
Internal Timber (Doors, Any timber4
alternative solution
joinery, wall lining, ceiling
linings, staircases, flooring
over concrete slab etc)

Roof Framing
Building
BAL–12.5 and BAL–19 BAL–29 BAL–40 BAL–FZ
Element
4
Roof framing under Any timber NSW building regulations do not recognise
compliant non- deemed-to-satisfy construction solution within
combustible roof this BAL. Building designs will require an
5
covering alternative solution

TIMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS ASSOCIATION TABMA

NEW SOUTH WALES
 Timber in Bushfire Prone Areas
6
Framing for Roofed Structures like Verandas, Garages, Carports
Building
BAL–12.5 and BAL–19 BAL–29 BAL–40 BAL–FZ
Element

Where attached structure Any timber4 NSW building regulations do not recognise
separated from the building deemed-to-satisfy construction solution within
by a fire rated FRL 60/60/60 this BAL. Building designs will require an
wall that extends to the alternative solution
underside of a non-
5
combustible roof covering

Where the roof of an Any timber4

attached structure is
separated from the roof
space of the main building
by a masonry veneer wall,
90 mm thick

NOTES
1 An external horizontal surface or a ledge includes decks, carport roofs, awnings and similar
elements or fittings having an angle less than 18 degrees to the horizontal and extending
more than 110 mm in width from the wall or window or door.
2 Bushfire-resisting timbers include Blackbutt, Merbau (Kwila) and Red Ironbark, River Red
Gum, Spotted Gum, Silver top Ash and Turpentine.
3
3 Timber with density of 750 kg/m or greater, are timbers density at 12 percent moisture
content. Suitable timbers are listed in AS3959 Table E1.
4 Consideration such durability, strength and appearance need to be considered in addition to
bushfire requirements. These issues are not dealt in this guide.
5 Complying roof systems include conventional non combustible roof and materials (tile,
metal sheet) ensuring any gaps over 3mm are protected by ember guards. For further detail
on sealants, skylights, etc refer to AS 3959.
6 Wood Solutions Guide 04: Building with Timber in Bushfire-prone Areas is available for free
on www.woodsolutions.com.au

Disclaimer:
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that this publication is in accordance with current information, it is not intended
as an exhaustive statement of all relevant data. All comments in this information sheet are written with timber framed
construction in mind and may exclude other forms of construction. In addition, successful design and construction depends
upon numerous factors outside the scope of this publication. The authors and publishers accept no responsibility for errors
in, or omissions from this publication, nor for specifications or work done or omitted in reliance on this publication.

TIMBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS ASSOCIATION TABMA

NEW SOUTH WALES