In a country whose climate lends itself to such extremes as this one, Australian legislation has been galvanised to protect homeowners from the elements. Among the extreme heat, potential for cyclones to make landfall, and bushfires, there are no shortage of potential dangers to your own four walls here.
This reality has bred standards of building design and construction. For bushfires, the threat of a given area is measured the BAL rating system, which recommends minimum building standards for a given area. It sums up your risk based on a number of key factors, many of which are related to your exposure to direct flames. The rating figures run from BAL O to BAL FZ.
The lowest ratings require no construction or modification measures, but the higher end of the scale – up to FZ, or fire zone – recommend numerous changes to your home and property. Bush clearing around the house, the removal of flammable materials from the property, specific, non-flammable building materials or treatments, and defence measures to flying embers are just some of them.
Security screens, like those provided by the renowned all-Australian provider SP Screens, provide an element of fire safety for your windows and doors. These steel screens are not only resistant to forced entry, they are also heat-resistant, and can ensure that burning embers do not enter the home when it is under threat from a bushfire.
A BAL assessment can determine whether your home is in need of measures to keep it safe this fire season, and your inspector can provide suggestions on the best methods of remediating any potential weak points. It is highly recommended.