AS 3959:2018

AS 3959:2018 PDF

AS 3959 2018 specifies requirements for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas in order to improve their resistance to bushfire attack from burning embers, radiant heat, flame contact and combinations of the three attack forms. AS 3959 download is available.

This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee FP-020, Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-Prone Areas, to supersede AS 3959—2009.

This edition incorporates the following changes:

(a) The site assessment in Section 2 has been simplified to address interpretational issues related to slope, grasslands and low threat vegetation.

(b) Section 3 clarifies that the shielding concessions relate only to the elements of the wall and do not apply to the subfloor or roofs.

(c) The protection of gaps and openings has been addressed by requiring suitable measures for doors and windows and providing for other gaps to be suitably sealed.

(d) The requirements for floors at BAL-12.5 and BAL-19 relating to bearers, joists and flooring within 400 mm above finished ground level now align with BAL-29.

(e) Windows address the framed material, hardware, glazing, seals and weather strips and screens. Doors address the door panel material, door frame material, hardware, glazing, seals and weather proofing, screens and to be tight fitting. Vehicle access doors recognise that guide tracks do not permit direct access for embers and do not require edge gap protection. Weather strips are to conform with a flammability index of no greater than five (AS 1530.2).

(f) Roofs can now include certain translucent or transparent roof coverings at BAL-12.5 and BAL-19 for verandas, carports or awnings where the roof is separated from the main building.

(g) Editorial changes have been made for consistency with Section 2 and to locate tables with the relevant sections of the site assessment methodology. Appendices F and H have been combined.