Wall & Floor Construction BAL-FZ Building Codes & Rules

- Comply with Bushfire Construction Requirements with Tools™: BAL-FZ requirements, fire danger insights, & detailed guidance for walls, roof, guttering & more!

Tools™ Best Practice

10 to 15^{Tools™ Best Practice}

Allow for drainage

Vent

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.2

Industry Recommendation

Movement Joint

Covered, Screened^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.2}, or
Fire Resistant Sealant^{Industry Recommendation}

AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (f)

Joints may be sealed with plastic joining strips, or timber storm moulds^{AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (f)}

Angle

Sarking

Cladding

Sarking

Sill Flashing

DPC /

Flashing

Sill

Drip Line

Flashing

Cavity

Closer

Tools™ Best Practice

Impact protective layer preferred^{Tools™ Best Practice}

Tools™ Best Practice

Sarking^{Tools™ Best Practice}

≥ 150mm horizontal lap
Vertical lap over 2 studs

Sarking

Tools™ Best Practice

≥ 150^{Tools™ Best Practice}

Tools™ Best Practice

≥ 150^{Tools™ Best Practice}

Lap & Tape

Floor Framing

Wall Framing

Cladding Wall Construction

Masonry Veneer Construction

Doors & Windows

-/30/- FRL^[1][2][3] system, or
System to AS 1530.8.2^[4][5][6]
Fully seal with non-combustible trims, mouldings & sealants^[7][8]

Door RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (i) (A)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (i) (B)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (ii)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (iii)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (iv)

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (a)AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (i) (A)}
Bushfire Shutter Installed^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (i) (B)}
No requirement if a Door is equipped with Bushfire Shutters
Bushfire Shutter Not Installed
Door System details
-/30/- FRL system^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (ii)}, or
System to AS 1530.8.2 under External Fire Test^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (iii)}
Doors must fit snugly into Frame & against any adjoining Door^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (iv)}
Seal side-hung Exterior doors below with Weather Strips or Draught Seals^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}
Seals must not affect FRL performance^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}

Screen RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.2

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.2AS 3959:2018, 9.5.2}
Window & Door Screens, when installed, require corrosion-resistant Steel or Bronze Mesh or Perforated Sheet^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
Supporting Frame for attaching Mesh & Screen assemblies & FIxings must be Metal^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}

Bushfire Shutter RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.1 (b)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.1 (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.1 (b)AS 3959:2018, 9.5.1 (a)}
Installing an optional Bushfire Shutter may exempt Windows & Doors from code requirements
System to AS 1530.8.2 under external fire test^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.1 (a)}
≤ 2mm gap protection for entire Window & Door assembly using non-removable system^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.1 (a)}
≥ 1 Openable Shutter for internal escape if all external Doors have Bushfire Shutters, manually operated from inside & outside in case of power outage^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}
Doors with perforations are not allowed^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}

Windows & Glazed Doors RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (b) (i)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (b) (ii)

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (a)AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (b) (i)}
Bushfire Shutter Installed^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (b) (ii)}
No requirement if Windows are equipped with Bushfire Shutters
Bushfire Shutter Not Installed
Openable Window parts require internal or external Screens or Perforated Sheets to have
-/30/- FRL system^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}, or
System to AS 1530.8.2 under external fire test^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}

Gaps RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 3.6.2

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 3.6.2NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
Gaps to Doors & Windows Opening details^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}
Door
≤ 2mm aperture size of Door Ember Screens, tight closed fit
Seal gaps at Jambs, Head, & Sill with Draught Seals & Excluders
Window
≤ 2mm aperture size of Window Screens, tight fit to Frames
Compliance with AS 2047 ensures Windows meet Gap protection requirements

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (i) (A)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (i) (B)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.5 (b) (i) (A)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.5 (b) (i) (B)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.5

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (b) (i)

AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (b) (ii)

-/30/- FRL^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (i) (A)AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4 (b) (i) (B)AS 3959:2018, 9.5.5 (b) (i) (A)} system, or
System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.5 (b) (i) (B)AS 3959:2018, 9.5.4AS 3959:2018, 9.5.5}
Fully seal with non-combustible trims, mouldings & sealants^{AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (b) (i)AS 3959:2018, 9.5.3 (b) (ii)}

Vents & Weepholes

Screened^[1]
≤ 1.2m Weephole spacing^[2][3]

Weephole RULES

NCC 2022 V4

Class 1 & 10

NCC 2022 H1D5 & HP5.7.5

[2019 3.3.1-3.3.3, 3.3.5-3.3.6, 3.3.5.9]

May 2023

AS 3700:2018, 4.7.2

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H1D5

NCC 2022 HP, 5.7.5

Masonry to be designed & constructed to the NCC^{AS 3700:2018, 4.7.2NCC 2022 Vol 2, H1D5}
Weepholes to be located above Flashing & spacing provided at^{NCC 2022 HP, 5.7.5}
≤ 1.2m CTS intervals

Vent & Weepholes RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.3NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
Screened Vents details on Exterior Walls^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}
≤ 2mm aperture opening Mesh or Perforated Sheet
Corrosion-resistant material

AS 3700:2018, 4.7.2

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.3

NCC 2022 HP, 5.7.5 (1) (b)

Screened^{AS 3700:2018, 4.7.2}
≤ 1.2m Weephole spacing^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.3NCC 2022 HP, 5.7.5 (1) (b)}

Floors

30/30/30 FRL^[1] & non-combustible material, or
≥ 30 mins RISF^[2], or
System to AS 1530.8.2^[3]

Subfloor Support RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.2 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.2 (b)

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

AS 3959:2018, 9.2

AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.1

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.2 (a)AS 3959:2018, 9.2 (b)}
Combustible materials stored in the Subfloor space are susceptible to ember intrusion & pose a fire hazard to the building's structure^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}
Enclosed Subfloor^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
No construction requirements if the Subfloor supports are enclosed & protected with a BAL-FZ compliant Wall
Unenclosed Subfloor
Protection for support Posts, Columns, Stumps, Piers, & Poles to have
30/-/- FRL non-combustible structure, or^{AS 3959:2018, 9.2}
System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.1}

Deck & Landings RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.7.2.4 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.7.3.3 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.7.2.1 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.7.3

AS 3959:2018, 9.7.3.1 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.7.3.2 (a)

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.7.2.4 (a)AS 3959:2018, 9.7.3.3 (a)}
All decking, landing & areas intended for foot traffic to be constructed with^{AS 3959:2018, 9.7.2.1 (a)AS 3959:2018, 9.7.3}
Non-combustible materials, or
Fibre-cement Sheet, or
System to AS 1530.8.2
Enclosed Subfloor Materials^{AS 3959:2018, 9.7.3.1 (a)}
No construction requirements for Supports & Framing when the Subfloor space is enclosed with a BAL-FZ compliant Wall & all openings are protected with Screens
Unenclosed Subfloor Materials^{AS 3959:2018, 9.7.3.2 (a)}
When the Subfloor is unenclosed, the Support & Framing should be^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
Non-combustible or
System to AS 1530.8.2

Floor RULES

NCC 2022 V2

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

Dec 2020 to Current

AS 3959:2018, 9.3.1

AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.1

AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.2

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.3.1AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.1}
No construction requirements for a concrete slab on ground^{AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.2}
Enclosed Subfloor^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
No construction requirements if the floor is enclosed and protected with a BAL-FZ compliant wall
Unenclosed Subfloor^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}
30/30/30 FRL system with the surface materials non-combustible, or
≥ 30 minutes RISF or
System to AS 1530.8.2

AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.2 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.2 (b)

AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.2 (c)

30/30/30 FRL^{AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.2 (a)} & non-combustible material, or
≥ 30 mins RISF^{AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.2 (b)}, or
System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.3.2.2 (c)}

Cladding

-/30/30 FRL^[1] or
System to AS 1530.8.2^[2]
Metal, Fibre-cement or other non-combustible material^[3]

Wall RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (b)

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.2

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC ^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (b)AS 3959:2018, 9.4.2}
Exposed elements of Exterior Wall details
≥ 90mm thk Wall, composed of non-combustible material^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}, or
-/30/30 FRL or 30/30/30 FRL System under external fire tests^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}, or
System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (a)}
Conceal, weatherproof or Butt Joint all Exterior Joints^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)}

Jointing RULES

NCC 2022 V3

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.2

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.2NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
Joints on the exterior to be concealed, weatherproofed, extended beyond the joint, strengthened, or or Butt Joined^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (b)

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)

-/30/30 FRL^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)} or
System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (b)}
Metal, Fibre-cement or other non-combustible material^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)}

Roof Construction BAL-FZ

AS 3959:2018, 9.2 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.2 (b)

Sub-floor Support

30/-/- FRL & non-combustible,^{AS 3959:2018, 9.2 (a)} or
System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.2 (b)}

AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (c) (i)

AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (c) (ii)

Eaves -/30/30 FRL^{AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (c) (i)}or

System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (c) (ii)}

FR Plasterboard

AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (c) (i)

AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (c) (ii)

Eaves -/30/30 FRL^{AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (c) (i)}or

System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.6.6 (c) (ii)}

Informative

Condensation^Informative

Ensure Cavity ventilation
Consider condensation management for local Climate Zone

Sarking

≤ 5 flammability index^[1]
Walls & Roof fully sarked^[2][3][4]

Sarking RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 3.10

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 3.10NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
Sarking requirement details^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}
Non-combustible material
Continuous to the outside to Walls & Roof
≤ 5 Flammability Index

AS 3959:2018, 3.10

AS 3959:2018, H2 (f)

AS 3959:2018, 9.6.2 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.6.3 (a)

≤ 5 flammability index^{AS 3959:2018, 3.10}
Walls & Roof fully sarked^{AS 3959:2018, H2 (f)AS 3959:2018, 9.6.2 (a)AS 3959:2018, 9.6.3 (a)}

AS 3959:2018, 3.6.1

≤ 2mm^{AS 3959:2018, 3.6.1} aperture Steel or Bronze Mesh

Masonry

30/30/30, or -/30/30 FRL^[1]
System to AS 1530.8.2^[2]

Wall RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (b)

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.2

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (a)

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC ^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (b)AS 3959:2018, 9.4.2}
Exposed elements of Exterior Wall details
≥ 90mm thk Wall, composed of non-combustible material^{NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}, or
-/30/30 FRL or 30/30/30 FRL System under external fire tests^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}, or
System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (a)}
Conceal, weatherproof or Butt Joint all Exterior Joints^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)}

Vent & Weepholes RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

NCC 2022 G5, H7D4, & S1

[2019 G5, 3.10.5, Sch 5]

May 2023

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.3

NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5

NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4

Building elements within Bushfire-prone Areas to be Bushfire Attack Resistant to NCC^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.3NCC 2022 Vol 1, G5}
Screened Vents details on Exterior Walls^{NCC 2022 Vol 2, H7D4}
≤ 2mm aperture opening Mesh or Perforated Sheet
Corrosion-resistant material

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)

AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (b)

30/30/30, or -/30/30 FRL^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (c)}
System to AS 1530.8.2^{AS 3959:2018, 9.4.1 (b)}

Enclosed Sub-floor

Prevents the need to protect floor framing^[1]
Reduces build-up of leaf litter & other materials that increase risk^[2]

Enclosed Sub-floor

NCC 2022 V1

Tools™ Best Practice

Prevents the need to protect floor framing^{Tools™ Best Practice}
Reduces build-up of leaf litter & other materials that increase risk^{Tools™ Best Practice}