News

Archive for January, 2017

Launch of the Bushfire Prone Planning 2016 Website

19 December 2015 in General
Bushfire Prone

As a kick start to the New Year Bushfire Prone Planning (BPP) has revamped its existing website with a fresh new look and extra features including the online Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Calculator, now available as a free and interactive tool under the Resources page. The BAL Calculator can assist in your planning to enable you to make a preliminary bushfire risk assessment of your

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BPP Staff Attend FPA Australia Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Short Course

29 January 2016 in General

Several of our BPP staff members attended the Fire Protection Association Australia BAL Course in Perth Last week (January 2016). The purpose of this course is to provide participants with the required skills, knowledge and ability to determine a Bushfire Attack Level and provide advice on the required construction provisions. The course covers a wide range of elements including: • Bushfire behaviour • Bushfire planning and building legislative

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Recent Fire Activity in South West WA – Radiant Heat Impact on everyday materials (Harvey/ Waroona Fires)

22 February 2016 in General

On a recent work trip into the Harvey/ Waroona area of the South West of Western Australia, our Co-Director Mike Scott spotted this great example of the impact radiant heat can have on everyday materials during a Bushfire event. Some 4 weeks on from the bushfire there are many indicators of the level of radiant heat produced by this bushfire as it moved through the Harvey/

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What is a BAL ? (Bushfire Attack Level)

23 February 2016 in General
BAL Report

A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) is a means of measuring the severity of a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact. It’s measured in increments of radiant heat (expressed in kilowatts/m2). A BAL is the basis for establishing the requirements for construction (under the Australian Standard AS 3959-2009 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire

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BPP Staff Achieve FPA Australia BPAD Level 1 Accreditation

23 February 2016 in General

Several Bushfire Prone Planning staff attended the Fire Protection Association Australia BAL Course in late 2015- early 2016 . The course provides participants with the required skills, knowledge and ability to determine a Bushfire Attack Level and provide advice on the required construction provisions. 3 Bushfire Prone Planning staff members have completed the course and achieved BPAD Level 1 Accreditation with FPA Australia.

Bushfire Prone Planning (BPP) Staff Present at FPA Australia Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Short Course Albany, WA

23 March 2016 in General
FPA Australia

Two BPP staff members have presented at the FPA Australia (Fire Protection Association Australia) BAL Course in Albany (February/ March 2016). Both Mike Scott (BPP Co-director) and Sean Winter (BPP Bushfire Consultant) delivered sessions on a wide range of topics including:        

  • Bushfire behaviour,
  • Bushfire planning and building legislative requirements in Western Australia,
  • Assessing and determining bushfire attack levels,
  • Knowledge of bushfire impact and building design to mitigate bushfire impact,
  • Knowledge

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State-Wide BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) Assessments – Western Australia

29 March 2016 in General
State Wide BAL Assessments

Bushfire Prone Planning is a bushfire risk management company that prides itself on the ability to offer State-Wide BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) Assessments and Bushfire related services. Our Senior Bushfire Consultant Alex Aitken was in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the Eastern Goldfields last week (March 2016) completing a Bushfire Risk assessment for a new subdivision.  The trip entailed liaison with the client, a site assessment

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Bushfire provisions of the Building Code of Australia apply from today (April 8th 2016)

08 April 2016 in General
Bushfire Prone

The bushfire construction requirements of the Building Code of Australia apply to all designated Bushfire Prone areas from today. The four month transitional period has ended (April 8th), applications for certain building approvals will require a BAL assessment and compliance with the bush fire construction requirements of the BCA. It is Bushfire Prone Plannings unique combination of advanced technical skill sets (Method 1 and Method 2 Bushfire

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Requirement for BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) Assessments on the installation of Evaporative Air Conditioners

19 April 2016 in General
Bushfire and House Example (Western Australia)

If you are considering installing a roof-mounted evaporative cooler in a designated bush fire prone area (WA) you need to have your property assessed for its level of bush fire risk as this will determine the appropriate level of protection that your evaporative cooler will require. https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/publications/roof-mounted-evaporative-coolers Air Conditioning BAL Requirements   Bush fire requirements for roof-mounted evaporative coolers BAL-LOW Low

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Requirement for BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) assessments on the construction of Garages, Sheds and Carports in Bushfire Prone Areas

22 April 2016 in General
Bushfire shed

If you are considering building a shed or doing building work in a designated bushfire prone area you may be required to comply with the bushfire construction requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). This will require compliance with Australian Standard AS 3959 – Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas and may trigger the need for a BAL assessment to be undertaken

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