Friday, 06 March 2009

The Victorian Government will introduce tougher building standards for homes, targeting high bushfire risk areas, to help save lives and property.

The Premier, John Brumby, said the Victorian Government was taking action to rebuild and better protect communities in the wake of this year’s devastating bushfires.

“Victoria has endured Australia’s worst ever natural disaster, with the devastating bushfires claiming 210 lives and destroying more than 2000 properties,” Mr Brumby said.

“Our Government is standing by the many people in those communities who are beginning the long and difficult task of rebuilding.

“The Teague Royal Commission is examining all aspects of the bushfires, but our Government is taking action now to give certainty to people rebuilding in bushfire-prone areas and to lay out a clear framework for new homes including alterations and additions.

“Bushfire survivors want to start rebuilding their homes and their communities as soon as possible and we want to ensure they can rebuild in the quickest and safest way possible.”

Mr Brumby said Victoria was bringing forward the adoption of the Australian Standard for Design and Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas. The standard was due to be adopted by all States and Territories in May 2010. It will be effective in Victoria from Wednesday, 11 March.

The new Australian Standard will apply across the whole State, and areas will be defined under six Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) categories from low to extreme risk.

Every new home built in Victoria will undergo a BAL assessment as part of the application for a building permit. This will determine the method of construction to be used to better protect properties from the threat of bushfires.

In the most extreme fire risk areas, measures required for new homes will include:
• A concrete slab;
• Exterior walls must be constructed of non-combustible material such as brick veneer or concrete;
• Non-combustible material on the roof, veranda or deck;
• Sealed wall and roof joints to guard against ember attacks;
• Shutters made from aluminium or other non-combustible material, or toughened glass for windows;
• Door frames made from fire resistant timber, with a weather strip at the base;
• Metal, rather than plastic, external trimmings such as vents, guttering and down pipes.

“This year’s devastating bushfires have rewritten the rules, registering temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees Celsius and wind speeds of more than 120km/h,” Mr Brumby said.

“Prolonged drought and climate change require action on building standards, particularly in bushfire-prone areas. We must take into account extreme fire activity in building new homes.”

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/premier/premier-releases-bushfire-building-standard.html