In order to conduct a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment through a simple method of assessment, you must be at least a level 1 BPAD accredited Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) practitioner. This accreditation is given by the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA) under the Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) scheme. The accreditation provides proof to the government and the community that the practitioner has a recognised background of technical skills and knowledge of the planning/building and the bushfire protection criteria. We advise our readers to only use accredited practitioners for their Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessments.
Since a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment done by a level 1 BPAD accredited practitioner uses a simplified method of assessment, the report gives a very limited amount of information. They are simply a declaration of your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating while taking into account classified vegetation and the separation distance from that vegetation. Now imagine that you live on a bush property or in the hills and you want to build an extension to your current home. You hire a level 1 BPAD accredited Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessor to conduct an assessment. Because vegetation on your own lot resembles woodland, your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) certificate shows a very high Bushfire Attack Level(BAL) rating of BAL-40. You ask your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessor what this means. He tells you that getting a developmental approval is probably not possible and even if it were it is about $17,000 extra in cost of construction in order for your building to comply with the AS3959 codes for bushfire construction. You ask your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessor for a solution as to how to reduce your rating, he will simply tell you he cannot help you any further and you must engage a level 2 BPAD accredited Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) practitioner that can help you reduce your rating, gain developmental approval and in turn save you thousands of dollars in construction costs.
A level 2 BPAD accredited Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) can work beyond the scope of a level 1 by developing the planning, building and design requirements for bushfire prone areas even further. They can write more complex reports like Bushfire Management Plans (BMP) that uses a deep understanding of planning and building legislation to reduce Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating from a BAL-FZ to a BAL-29 or below. A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) can also give recommendations on fire mitigation strategies and how a development or subdivision can prepare itself in case of a bushfire and ensure the safety of the habitants as well as property. They can also illustrate bushfire risk in the form of graphics such as a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Contour Maps and a Bushfire Hazard Level Assessments used for larger subdivisions or large scale developments so the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings and/or Bushfire Hazard Levels can be demonstrated on a scaled map.
Therefore, it is important to gauge which level BPAD accredited practitioner you should use for Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessments. If you’re unsure if your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating would be high or low, it would be best to employ a level 2 BPAD accredited Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) practitioner so they conduct one assessment and include it into a Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) rather than doing and paying for two separate Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessments.
Contact Green Start Consulting’s experienced level 2 BPAD assessor for expert advice on everything building industry related including Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Reports, Bushfire Management Plans (BMP), Bushfire Management Statement (BMS) and Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Contour Maps.
Author Green Start Consulting – Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessors and Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) authors.
Due to constantly evolving legislation the information provided within this blog may no longer be valid. The advice given on this site is general in nature and does not take into account your specific circumstances. Please email one of our building surveyors to check what is right for you
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