Who to contact for BAL Assessments and retrofitting bushfire construction?

[Fotty86]

I'm in the Perth Hills and am looking at retrofitting my existing dwelling to be more resistant to bushfire, I know that BAL Assessments exist but would like to know who to contact for information about retrofitting my existing dwelling, where to start, what to do and what order?

[WAFS]

Hi, 

I believe a BAL Assessment is the first point of call, as this will give you the risk level.

Then you then may need to modify the vegetation within the yard to the standard required to reduce the  risk to an acceptable level (if you have the space available around your dwelling to do this).

Once the BAL Rating is at its lowest you can achieve, you can contact a bushfire consultant to work out what additional measures need to be undertaken to bring your dwelling back up to the same standard.

Bunnings have a good BAL-40 Paint  its applied externally and fire coat looks very effective.

I have knowledge in BAL assessments and would be able to assist further if you have any other questions?

[Fotty86]

Thank you for that quick response, I'm in Darlington and have a smaller lot, so there is not so much space available, how does this effect me? And what if I do not want to chop all my trees down.

[WAFS]

So with a BAL Assessment in a smaller lot you may not have the space to lower the BAL Rating if the neighbours yards have bush in them, you may just be best talking to a bushfire consultant to get specific advice.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Fotty86. It's marvelous to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about BAL requirements.

@WAFS has provided some good advice, and it sounds like you'd be looking for a specialised professional to assist with your project. You'd likely find a builder that specialises in retrofitting structures. If you wanted to do the work yourself, you'd probably need to start by reading through regulations and determining what does and doesn't currently meet requirements. The best place to start would be with your local council if you are in a bushfire-prone area; they'd have a list of requirements and best advice for your area.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[riggs12]

If you google BAL Assessment WA you will find people that can help you get an assessment, or The Department of Commerce have questions and answers about BAL Assessments.

[Chris1256]

Hi I have found a great little Blog on Bushfire Retrofitting for existing structures:

Retrofit for Bushfires

Seems pretty simple, there are a few Bunnings mentions in there as well as some of this gear you can buy to assist.

Here is a second one i have found as well, its from CSIRO:

Bushfire Best Practice CSIRO

Few great pages within:

[EricL]

Hello @Chris1256 

Thank you for sharing those resources. Let me tag @Fotty86 to make them aware of your recommendations.

Eric

[Chris1256]

Hey @Fotty86 some of the bushfire standards are changing, i have had a look into it but its a little bit too complicated, however there is a blog here that shows that residential areas where lots are not created before 2015 do not have o comply with the full standards.

check it out.