We’ve talked before about some of the construction features that newly built homes are required by law to include if they’re situated in a bushfire zone.
But what about older homes?
The reforms introduced following the Black Saturday bushfires featured a grandfather clause for older and pre-existing homes. The clause exempts them from having to include these newly mandated features
Of course, just because you’re exempt doesn’t mean that you can get away with not working bushfire protection into an existing home.
In fact, it’s probably for the best that you do, especially if your area has a high bushfire attack level!
But how does that translate into practice?
Retrofitting fire-resistant features into an existing home
Under the BAL system, there are certain features that newly-built houses in Victoria (and around the country) will need to incorporate into their designs depending on the level of fire risk faced.
(What are the 6 bushfire attack levels? Click here to find out!)
While many of these decisions need to be made at the point of design (such as your choice of material for exterior walls or your concrete slab), some of these features can be retrofitted into existing homes, helping increase your bushfire protection!
Depending on what your bushfire attack level report tells you, you may have to...
(What are the 6 bushfire attack levels? Click here to find out!)
While many of these decisions need to be made at the point of design (such as your choice of material for exterior walls or your concrete slab), some of these features can be retrofitted into existing homes, helping increase your bushfire protection!
Depending on what your bushfire attack level report tells you, you may have to...
Fireproofing subfloor supports
Not all homes sit flat on the ground - many are raised.
And we aren’t just talking about the classic Queenslander style, either - many homes further south are raised, sitting on supports.
The problem is that these areas can often attract leaves, twigs and all sorts of other flammable debris that could potentially catch alight if they come into contact with embers or sparks.
If your home is raised, you can protect yourself by enclosing these supports with an external wall or non-combustible cladding to keep out potential sources of fire.
And we aren’t just talking about the classic Queenslander style, either - many homes further south are raised, sitting on supports.
The problem is that these areas can often attract leaves, twigs and all sorts of other flammable debris that could potentially catch alight if they come into contact with embers or sparks.
If your home is raised, you can protect yourself by enclosing these supports with an external wall or non-combustible cladding to keep out potential sources of fire.
Protecting your windows
You may not know it, but bushfire-proofing your home extends to your windows as well!
Normal glass often has a hard time withstanding extreme temperatures, and can break and fall out of its frame once the heat gets high enough.
This gives embers and other flaming debris an entry point into your home, which can in turn cause your home to catch alight.
Special, fire-resistant glass is rated to withstand hours of exposure to intense heat in accordance with Australian Standard AS1530.4, which outlines fire-resistance standards.
And it isn’t just the glass itself, either - it’s important that your window frames are rated against fire and heat exposure as well.
While your old home may not be required to install new windows, for your safety we recommend installing them anyway, especially in windows facing the highest fire risk.
If your BAL report comes back with a BAL-FZ score - the highest one possible - it may be a good idea to take even stricter measures, and install bushfire shutters as well.
Normal glass often has a hard time withstanding extreme temperatures, and can break and fall out of its frame once the heat gets high enough.
This gives embers and other flaming debris an entry point into your home, which can in turn cause your home to catch alight.
Special, fire-resistant glass is rated to withstand hours of exposure to intense heat in accordance with Australian Standard AS1530.4, which outlines fire-resistance standards.
And it isn’t just the glass itself, either - it’s important that your window frames are rated against fire and heat exposure as well.
While your old home may not be required to install new windows, for your safety we recommend installing them anyway, especially in windows facing the highest fire risk.
If your BAL report comes back with a BAL-FZ score - the highest one possible - it may be a good idea to take even stricter measures, and install bushfire shutters as well.
Installing a bushfire shutter door
It isn’t just the windows that need to be protected against fire - so too do your doors.
Some measures you can take to up your door’s bushfire resistance include:
- Fire-resistant door framing
- Installing bushfire shutters
- Installing a mesh screen
- Replacing it with a thicker doors
- Lining the edges with fireproof strips
Whether your home just squeezed in before the cut-off date or dates back to Federation, each of these modifications to your door can be made without having to dramatically change your home’s structure.
Some measures you can take to up your door’s bushfire resistance include:
- Fire-resistant door framing
- Installing bushfire shutters
- Installing a mesh screen
- Replacing it with a thicker doors
- Lining the edges with fireproof strips
Whether your home just squeezed in before the cut-off date or dates back to Federation, each of these modifications to your door can be made without having to dramatically change your home’s structure.
Fireproofing your roof
Roofs are one of the biggest danger areas when it comes to fire. Many roofs - especially older ones - feature tiny gaps between tiles and at the edges where sparks and embers can enter.
Once they get in, there’s a high risk that the insulation inside will catch on fire, spreading quickly to the rest of your home.
This is especially problematic with older homes, as years of wear and tear could mean that the seals responsible for closing off each of these gaps coming loose.
Luckily, these are easily replaced.
If you want to fireproof your home, a good place to start is by replacing the fireproof coverings used to seal:
- Roof and wall junctions
- Openings
- Ridges and gaps
While certain other measures such as removing roof-mounted air conditioners or adding roof sarking might be a little bit too much at the moment, replacing coverings and sealing your roof is a relatively affordable improvement that can go a long way towards protecting you.
Once they get in, there’s a high risk that the insulation inside will catch on fire, spreading quickly to the rest of your home.
This is especially problematic with older homes, as years of wear and tear could mean that the seals responsible for closing off each of these gaps coming loose.
Luckily, these are easily replaced.
If you want to fireproof your home, a good place to start is by replacing the fireproof coverings used to seal:
- Roof and wall junctions
- Openings
- Ridges and gaps
While certain other measures such as removing roof-mounted air conditioners or adding roof sarking might be a little bit too much at the moment, replacing coverings and sealing your roof is a relatively affordable improvement that can go a long way towards protecting you.
Identifying risk factors starts by getting your hands on a Bushfire Attack Level
The first step towards reducing your bushfire risk is understanding what specific risks your property faces.
Your property’s bushfire attack level assessment is a crucial step in making your property bushfire-safe.
While many parts of the state fall into areas designated as bushfire management overlays, not all properties in these bushfire zones face the exact level of risk - it all depends on the specific geographic features around the property.
Some measures you can take to up your door’s bushfire resistance include:
- Topography (fire travels faster uphill, and slower downhill)
- Vegetation type and proximity
- Locations of natural and man-made firebreaks
As part of your bushfire attack level assessment report, you’ll receive a BAL rating outlining your overall fire risk depending on each of these factors.
Once you have your BAL report, you’ll be able to start looking at which of the features listed above will be required to keep your home protected against bushfire and up-to-date with the latest in bushfire protection.
Your property’s bushfire attack level assessment is a crucial step in making your property bushfire-safe.
While many parts of the state fall into areas designated as bushfire management overlays, not all properties in these bushfire zones face the exact level of risk - it all depends on the specific geographic features around the property.
Some measures you can take to up your door’s bushfire resistance include:
- Topography (fire travels faster uphill, and slower downhill)
- Vegetation type and proximity
- Locations of natural and man-made firebreaks
As part of your bushfire attack level assessment report, you’ll receive a BAL rating outlining your overall fire risk depending on each of these factors.
Once you have your BAL report, you’ll be able to start looking at which of the features listed above will be required to keep your home protected against bushfire and up-to-date with the latest in bushfire protection.
How to get a Bushfire Attack Level report in Victoria
Our property information service is committed to making your life easier... and safer!
Property information isn’t just for building projects - it can also be a big help to people with pre-existing homes.
A BAL report is only one of the pieces of property information you might need when improving your home - whatever it is you need however, you can trust our team to find it for you.
Our property information service is dedicated to helping you get a hold of the information, documents and certificates you need without the waiting time.
It’s as simple as:
1. - Creating an account
2. - Selecting the information you need from a drop-down menu
3. - Receiving your information
As an all-in-one system, we’re committed to making the process faster and easier. Instead of having to spend hours on the phone, waiting in line or writing lengthy email chains, you can focus on other, more important things.
Need your BAL report? You’ve come to the right place - begin the search with just an address.
eed assistance or want to chat? Call us on (03) 8527 6300 or Contact our friendly team here
A BAL report is only one of the pieces of property information you might need when improving your home - whatever it is you need however, you can trust our team to find it for you.
Our property information service is dedicated to helping you get a hold of the information, documents and certificates you need without the waiting time.
It’s as simple as:
1. - Creating an account
2. - Selecting the information you need from a drop-down menu
3. - Receiving your information
As an all-in-one system, we’re committed to making the process faster and easier. Instead of having to spend hours on the phone, waiting in line or writing lengthy email chains, you can focus on other, more important things.
Need your BAL report? You’ve come to the right place - begin the search with just an address.
eed assistance or want to chat? Call us on (03) 8527 6300 or Contact our friendly team here
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. As with all things property, we strongly recommend consulting a professional to ensure that all stages of your building project (including the Title search) go smoothly.