What We Do - Who We Help
We provide fast, affordable and reliable BAL Reports
Whether you are building a new home, extending or renovating in a Bushfire Prone area, you may require a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment Report to secure your building or planning permit. We focus on delivering fast, affordable and reliable BAL reports for Surf Coast, Geelong and Western Victorian homeowners, builders, planners, designers and architects.
We can quickly provide you with a reliable BAL assessment and report, containing your BAL rating, for new home builds. We can also quickly complete BAL assessments for alterations, extensions and renovations to an existing dwelling.
Arrange a time for us to come and visit your site...
If you require a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Report, give us a call now to arrange a time for us to visit your site. We can cooperatively and safely work around other contractors while calculating your BAL rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) system is a component of Australian Standard AS3959, which outlines construction requirements for buildings located in bushfire-prone areas. The system categorizes properties into six different levels, each representing a specific level of potential risk from ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. The levels are; BAL Low, BAL 12.5, BAL 19, BAL 29, BAL 40, and BAL FZ. See our blog article Decoding Bushfire Attack (BAL) Ratings to learn more about each BAL level.
In Victoria, a BAL report is required when planning to build or renovate a property within designated bushfire-prone areas. The report is mandated by the state’s planning regulations to ensure that the property’s construction is in line with the Australian Standard AS3959 – Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. The requirement for a BAL report applies to both residential and non-residential developments, and it is essential for property owners, architects, and developers to be aware of their property’s bushfire-prone status before commencing any construction work.
What is bushfire resistant timber?
Bushfire resistant timber are timber species that have been tested and are deemed to be acceptable to withstand exposure up to a BAL—29 condition. Below is a list of acceptable bushfire resistant timber species that can be used up to BAL 29:
- Silvertop Ash (Eucalyptus sieberi)
- Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis)
- River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
- Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata)
- Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon)
- Kwila (Merbau) (Intsia bijuga)
- Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera)
Once you have your BAL report you can discuss building materials options in more detail with your design team.
Am I in a bushfire zone in Victoria?
Victorian planning maps will indicate if you are located in a Bushfire Prone area or Bushfire Management Overlay. There are different requirements for each in order to successfully obtain a building permit. If you are unsure about your requirements, please contact us at Surf Coast BAL reports. Our team can answer your questions and provide you with a free quote for your BAL assessment and report.
What does a BAL rating of 12.5 mean?
BAL 12.5 is one of six possible BAL levels assigned to your building project following a BAL assessment. BAL 12.5 means your building has the potential to be exposed to radiant heat of up to 12.5kW/m2. This is based on a thorough assessment of your property’s location, vegetation, effective slope and other factors. See our blog article Decoding Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Ratings to learn more about each BAL level.
What building materials can be used for external walls if my property is BAL 40?
There are actually still plenty of options for external walls, even at BAL 40. Here are some examples:
- Full masonry or brick veneer with a minimum thickness of 90mm
- Precast or in situ walls of concrete or aerated concrete at 90mm thick
- Earth wall including mud brick with a minimum thickness of 90mm
- Fibre-cement cladding of 9 mm in thickness, or steel sheeting, provided the wall is sarked on the outside of the frame
Further options are available. Once you have your BAL Report and know your Bushfire Attack Level you can discuss these options in more detail with your building design team.
How do I find my BAL rating?
The first step is to figure out if your property is located in a Bushfire Prone area. You then need to assess the type of vegetation in the surrounding area and identify risks, including an accurate calculation of effective slope, as per AS 3959. Contact Surf Coast Bal Reports to have a team member perform an on-site visit and help you prepare your BAL report, ready to submit to council.
We are based in Torquay and offer an extensive service area, focusing most of our work within the following shire council regions:
- Surf Coast
- Geelong including the Bellarine Peninsula and Queenscliff
- Colac
- Otway
- Moorabool
- and Golden Plains.
* We may also have the option to travel to the following regions: Wyndam, Melton, Ballarat, Pyrenees, and Mornington Peninsula
What Our Clients Say
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Surf Coast BAL Reports is a small local, family-run business located in Torquay. We love the outdoors. Our kids have grown up on the Surf Coast and attend the local primary school in Torquay. We’re involved in the local football and soccer clubs through the winter months and Nippers over the summer months. As a family we’re in the water, chasing waves or wind, as often as we can. Matt grew up in regional Victoria and studied a Bachelor of Science. From his teenage years he was a member of the local CFA fire brigade…
Learn More About BAL Reports in our BLOG...
Decoding Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Ratings: Understanding the Differences
The Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) system is a component of Australian Standard AS3959, which outlines construction requirements for buildings located in bushfire-prone areas. The system categorizes properties into six different levels, each representing a specific level of potential risk from ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact...
The Crucial Role of Accurate Effective Slope Calculation in BAL Assessment
Living in a bushfire-prone area requires a thorough understanding of the unique challenges posed by bushfires. When it comes to protecting homes and buildings from the devastating impact of bushfires, a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment is essential. If your property is in a bushfire-prone area you will need to determine a BAL rating before you can successfully obtain ...
Understanding When a BAL Report is Required in Victoria, Australia
Many Victorian property owners live in a bushfire-prone area. With the increasing threat of bushfires, the Victorian government has implemented regulations to ensure that buildings in designated bushfire-prone areas are constructed to withstand potential fire hazards. If your property is in a bushfire-prone area you will need to determine a BAL rating before you can successfully obtain...