Bushfire Attack Level Calculator to AS 3959-2018

Welcome to CalcTree's Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) self-assessment tool! On this page, you'll be able to quickly find the BAL for a given location in Australia based on AS 3959-2018.
ExplanationThe BAL is a bushfire attack level assessment of how much danger a building is in from ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. The severity is determined by kilowatts/m2, which is a measure of the radiant heat that is present due to fire.
According to the Australian Standard AS 3959-2009 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas, the BAL is a fundamental factor in determining the specifications necessary to enhance the protection of building components from bushfire damage. Bushfire self-assessment is a critical step in ensuring the safety of both people and property. 
Simplified Calculation The drop-down toggles above show the various BAL ratings and the heat flux for each rating. Essentially, the greater the distance from the fire, the lower the heat flux, and therefore the construction standard in regard to bushfire protection is lower.
This simplified calculation to AS 3959:2018, Cl 2. CFA offices more readily accept it, and it provides a table of minimum distances from vegetation that must be adhered to for each attack level. An alternative detailed calculation method can be found in AS 3959:2018 Appendix B.
Simplified process to determine BAL
Inputs→ Fire Danger index
﻿﻿State/Region
:ACT​
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﻿﻿FDI
:100​
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What is it?
→  BAL Low Threat Exclusion
﻿﻿BAL Low Threat Exclusion
:(a) Vegetation more than 100m from site​
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What is it?
→ Predominant Vegetation Classification
﻿﻿Vegetation Classification
:A. Forest​
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What is it?
→  Distance to Classified Vegetation
﻿﻿Distance between site and classified vegetation
:32​
﻿
What is it?
→  Effective Slope Under Classified Vegetation
﻿﻿Effective slope under classified vegetation
:Downslope >10 to 15 degrees​
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What is it?
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OutputBushfire Attack Level
﻿﻿BAL
:BAL - Low​
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﻿﻿Bushfire Danger
:There is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements​
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Upper distance limits for BALs
﻿﻿BAL-FZ
:100kW/m2​
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﻿﻿BAL-12.5
:39kW/m2​
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﻿﻿BAL-19
:49kW/m2​
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﻿﻿BAL-29
:64kW/m2​
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﻿﻿BAL-40
:82kW/m2​
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Construction requirements for determined BAL
Based on the bushfire attack level determined, construction requirements should meet the following provisions from AS3959:2018.
﻿﻿Construction Requirements
:Section 4​
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Rating system
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Buoyancy Force Calculation
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BAL - LOW 
BAL - 12.5  🔥
Levels of ember attack and ignition of debris are increasing, and the heat flux can reach up to 12.5 kW/m^2.
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BAL - 19     🔥🔥
Levels of ember attack and ignition of debris are increasing, and the heat flux can reach up to 19 kW/m^2.
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BAL - 29     🔥🔥🔥
BAL - 40     🔥🔥🔥🔥
BAL - FZ     🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
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