Bushfire Regulations Update

By Jeff Harvey (Timber Manager)

In the aftermath of the recent devastating bushfires, Standards Australia have quickly move by revising the standard (AS 3959-2009) for construction in bushfire-prone areas.

Unfortunately and not for the first time in matters of this nature, there has been some ill informed negative information been aired about the suitability of timber in bushfire-prone areas.

Wood Products Victoria has accordingly issued a statement correcting the Victorian Government's initial press release which stated that in the extreme zone, a floor must be a concrete stab and exterior walls must be non combustible material (brick and concrete). These inaccuracies were pointed out to the Building Commission who have since issued public statements also correcting the original press release. A copy of Wood Victoria's statements is shown below.

Just a quick note to keep you informed of the timber industry's technical activities in relation to the Victorian Bushfires.

Following the devastating bushfires, the Victorian Government moved quickly to ensure that new house construction  would comply with the "most stringent" requirements.  Standards Australia in turn quickly turned around and published AS3959-2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas within a month of the government's request (had been in draft form for a number of years) and was formally gazetted in Victoria on the 11 March 2009 - now applies to ALL new homes built in Victoria.

There had also been some "negative" press in relation to the use of timber.  The Victorian Government's initial Press Release stated that in the extreme zone, you will be required to build on a concrete slab with exterior walls of non-combustible material (brick or concrete) - which is NOT correct.  These inaccuracies were pointed out to the Building Commission (BC) who have made efforts to correct this in subsequent newspaper articles and publications.  The BC and Standards Australia are currently running a series of Victorian seminars in relation to the standard (I attended the South Morang seminar on Tuesday (17/3)) and are making it clear that no materials are "banned" and that construction must (simply) comply with the standard - suspended timber floors can be used in all bushfire areas and, in extreme areas, 30 minute fire resistant exterior wall systems comply (can be clad with timber).

Specific activities currently being undertaken are:

  • Preparation of an industry bushfire "strategy" to co-ordinate activities.
  • Development of technical guides to assist designers, specifiers, builders and consumers meet the intent of the standard using timber products.
  • A meeting organised with the Building Commission to discuss what is planned and what assistance the timber industry can provide.
  • Meetings scheduled with material manufacturers (plasterboard, roof tiles) to develop specific detailing solutions for construction in extreme areas.
  • Fire testing of species used in cladding and decking products.

The industry has been very active in trying to assist both users of timber products and those that regulate its use to ensure that timber products are not unfairly discriminated against in the market place.

Regards,
Boris Iskra - Wood Products Victoria

If anyone has any difficulties or queries contact Jeff Harvey on 0412-550-740