Timber Cladding for Buildings In Bushfire Areas

Bushfires are occurring more frequently across the globe. According to the Climate Council, communities in our own backyard face an increasing risk with bushfire conditions being significantly worse than in the past. The devastating effects of bushfires raise the question: how can we design and build homes to minimise the risk?

Timber cladding is a popular choice for home designs in Australia, particularly in rural settings where the risk of bushfires is higher. But is building with timber a bushfire risk? Can you still use timber cladding without compromising protection?

According to Australian Standards, timber cladding can be used in building designs for bushfire prone areas, including high risk zones. To minimise the risks and meet the requirements, it’s crucial to select the right timber species and cladding profiles.

This article provides an overview of the requirements for using timber cladding in bushfire prone areas, as well as a guide to the best timber cladding to meet BAL requirements. For project-specific advice about selecting bushfire resistant timber cladding, speak to the team at Mortlock Timber.

BUILDING IN BUSHFIRE ZONES

When designing and building in bushfire risk zones, the building needs to effectively resist damage from radiant heat, keep embers out and resist damage from flames. The first step is an assessment of the property to determine the level of bushfire risk or the bushfire attack level (BAL). 

BAL is a means of measuring the severity of a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. It is measured in increments of radiant heat. Determining the level of risk for a property requires an assessment from an accredited BAL assessor in your local area. Plans, material specifications, construction documents and building methods need to be in accord with the bushfire attack level listed in that assessment.

The Building Code of Australia is the primary standard for all new buildings and new building work to existing homes. AS3959-2018 sets out the minimum design and construction requirements, including bushfire requirements, for homes in bushfire prone areas.

THE 6 BUSHFIRE ATTACK LEVEL RATINGS

• BAL–LOW: Very low risk. Standard construction materials and methods, including timber framing and cladding materials can be used. These sites have no special requirements as there is such a low risk of bushfire attack.
• BAL–12.5: Low risk. Some possibility of ember attack has been identified from looking at the closeness of vegetation, the site itself and local conditions with construction elements expected to be exposed to a radiant heat flux not greater than 12.5 kilowatts per square metre (kW/m2).
• BAL–19: Moderate risk. Sites identified as having an increasing level of predicted ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers together with an increasing radiant heat flux, not greater than 19 kW/m2.
• BAL–29: High risk. Increasing level of chance of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers, together with an increasing radiant heat flux not greater than 29 kW/m2.
• BAL–40: Very high risk. Further possibility of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers; together with an increasing radiant heat flux, not greater than 40 kW/m2, and an increased likelihood of exposure to bushfire flames.
• BAL–FZ: Extreme risk. A home with this BAL has a predicted direct exposure risk to flames from a fire front, ember attack and a radiant heat flux greater than 40 kW/m2.

The information above on the six levels is based on Appendix G of AS 3959 and sourced from Wood Solutions Guide #04. The Australian Standard AS 3959–2018 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas and Wood Solutions Building with Timber in Bushfire-prone Areas Technical Design Guide provide an extensive guide to help architects, designers, builders and owners to understand the Standard and what is required for each of the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) areas.

FIRE RESISTANT TIMBER SPECIES

Although many timbers burn easily, some timbers are naturally fire resistant. High density timbers tend to have a higher resistance to ignition and burn at a slower rate. What’s more, bushfire resistant timbers tend to burn in a predictable manner. This predictability can assist with improving safety during the building design process.

Common fire resistant timber species include:

• Pacific Teak
• Spotted Gum
• Ironbark
• Blackbutt
• Jarrah

WHAT TIMBERS CAN I USE IN BAL RATED AREAS?

The following timber species are appropriate for external cladding in BAL areas:

• BAL LOW – Pacific Teak, Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Blackbutt, Jarrah
• BAL 12.5 – Pacific Teak, Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Blackbutt, Jarrah
• BAL 19 – Pacific Teak, Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Blackbutt, Jarrah
• BAL 29 – Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Blackbutt

IMAGE SOURCE: WOOD SOLUTIONS GUIDE #04

Bushfire resistant timber cladding for BAL-FZ

For BAL-FZ, the wall system needs to achieve a fire resistance level (FRL) of 30/30/30. This is achieved by adding a layer of fire-grade plasterboard behind the timber cladding. In addition, an appropriate flame zone roof is required to make the building safe. We recommend contacting a fire engineer to ensure everything is up to code. Mortlock Timber is not qualified to certify projects or guarantee the above information.

BUSHFIRE RESISTANT TIMBER CLADDING AT MORTLOCK

Mortlock Timber supplies a wide range of bushfire resistant timber cladding products. We’ve supported designers and builders constructing new buildings in bushfire prone areas to meet Australian Standards while maintaining the aesthetic quality of the construction.

Both our Trendplank Timber Cladding and Shou Sugi Ban range are suitable for use in bushfire-rated areas.

• Trendplank Timber Cladding – our popular concealed fixed timber cladding is appropriate for external walls, ceilings and internal feature walls. Expertly designed to allow for natural timber movement while maximising longevity.
• Shou Sugi Ban Timber Cladding – charred timber cladding, manufactured in-house at Mortlock Timber using Burnt Ash, Jarrah or Spotted Gum. Achieves a classy carbon black finish with reduced maintenance requirements.

Does Shou Sugi Ban or charring the timber increase the fire rating of the timber?

Charring the timber surface does not conclusively increase the fire rating of the timber. After conducting lab testing on this matter, the results showed that charring timber does not change the fire properties of the wood.

GET IN TOUCH

For more information about our bushfire resistant timber cladding options, download our product and pricing guide. Or get in touch with the Mortlock team today on 1800 870 452.