Bushfire testing－AS 3959 BAL 12.5/19/29/40/(FZ）-澳大利亚--防火网,防火阻燃测试网

In Australia, there are rigorous standards for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. Buildings in nominated bushfire zones must be capable of resisting the impact of a bushfire without active firefighting intervention.

The fire performance of construction details, materials and systems is determined in accordance with Australian Standard AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas.

AS 3959 BAL 12.5/19/29/40/(FZ）

BAL–LOW
The risk is considered to be VERY LOW.
There is insufficient risk to warrant any specific construction requirements.

BAL–12.5
The risk is considered to be LOW. There is a risk of ember attack from a fire.
The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 12.5kW/m².

BAL–19
The risk is considered to be MODERATE. There is a risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers and a likelihood of exposure to radiant heat.
The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 19kW/m².

BAL–29
The risk is considered to be HIGH. There is an increased risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers and a likelihood of exposure to an increased level of radiant heat.
The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 29kW/m².

BAL–40
The risk is considered to be VERY HIGH. There is a much increased risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers, a likelihood of exposure to a high level of radiant heat and some likelihood of direct exposure to flames from the fire front.
The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux not greater than 40kW/m².

BAL–FZ(Flame Zone)
The risk is considered to be EXTREME. There is an extremely high risk of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers, and a likelihood of exposure to an extreme level of radiant heat and direct exposure to flames from the fire front.
The construction elements are expected to be exposed to a heat flux greater than 40kW/m².

In Australia, the results from the following tests can be used to determine the fire performance which is required in accordance with AS 3959:

AS/NZS 3837 Method of test for heat and smoke release rates for materials and products using an oxygen consumption calorimeter
AS 1530.8.1 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures. Part 8.1: Tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated bushfire attack – Radiant heat and small flaming sources
AS 1530.8.2 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures. Part 8.2: Tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated bushfire attack – Large flaming sources.

Bushfire attack levels 12.5 to 40

AS 1530.8.1 is used to simulate a passing bushfire for Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL) between 12.5 and 40.

This test involves mounting a steel panel over the opening of a fire resistance furnace to generate a specific radiant exposure regime onto the specimen.

Alternatively, compliance with BAL ratings from 12.5 to 40 (including Flame Zone (FZ)) can be demonstrated using conventional fire resistance testing in accordance with AS 3959.

BAL flame zone

AS 1530.8.2 is used to simulate direct flame exposure for BAL Flame Zone (FZ).

For this test, the specimen is mounted into a fire resistance furnace test frame as it would for fire resistance testing.

Alternatively, compliance with BAL FZ can be demonstrated using conventional fire resistance testing in accordance with AS 3959.

Bushfire-resisting timber

AS 3959 defines Bushfire-resisting timber as withstanding exposure up to a BAL 29 condition.

This can be determined from testing small samples to AS/NZS 3837.

To pass this test, many timbers have their ignitability modified with fire retardant by either impregnation or surface coatings. For these, BRANZ also has the facilities to carry out the required accelerated weathering cycle ASTM D 2898 Method B, with the water flow rate modified to be the same as that within ASTM D 2989 Method A.

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