As a leading expert in bushfire testing compliance, our team played a pivotal role in developing the Australian standards AS 1530.8.1 and AS 1530.8.2, which govern bushfire testing procedures.
Why Bushfire Testing?
Bushfires are very common in Australia. Although they don’t always end in a catastrophe, they do present real and immediate danger to people and property in high-risk areas. Subjecting building components to simulated bushfire testing is a good way to mitigate risk. It is also a requirement of all buildings and developments in bushfire prone areas to comply with AS 3959.
AS 1530.8.1 Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL) 12.5 to 40 (kW/m2)
AS 1530.8.1 provides the methods for determining the performance of external construction elements when exposed to radiant heat, burning embers and debris. The test simulates the radiant heat from a bushfire front and uses small flaming sources to mimic typical amounts of accumulated burning organic debris.
Specimens are assessed for performance against one of the prescribed levels of exposure – BAL 12.5, BAL 19, BAL 29 or BAL 40. Test specimens are subjected to an irradiance profile simulating exposure to radiant heat from a rapidly approaching bushfire front, with additional exposure to direct flame impingement from small secondary fires simulating burning debris
AS 1530.8.2 Bushfire Attack Level FZ (flame zone)
AS 1530.8.2 details the method for tests on elements of construction for buildings exposed to simulated bushfire attack – large flaming sources. This standard is specific for a bushfire attack level of flame zone (BAL FZ). The objective is to classify the performance of elements required to resist exposure to direct flame impingement from the fire front and large secondary fires.
Unlike AS 1530.8.1 which exposes specimens to radiant heat, testing to AS 1530.8.2 exposes the specimen to the furnace conditions described in AS 1530.4 for 30 minutes. It is intended for elements of construction that would be likely to be in the direct path of a bushfire front.
R+D Bushfire Testing
Pilot-scale indicative testing allows our clients to investigate the likely performance of variations within a product range – before committing to full-scale testing. This pilot-scale testing will not result in a BAL rating being assigned, but it can be a cost-effective option when developing a product range.
The specimen is exposed to the same crib size and radiant heat profiles as a full-scale test, but the testing is done using the pilot-scale furnace as the radiant heat source (1.2 m x 1.2 m).
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Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical and Aerospace
Master of Fire Safety Engineering, Bachelor of Biotechnology
