Product Advisor

Advise on Screening in Bushfire Areas

If you live in a bushfire prone area, the following information can be useful if you want to install insect screens in your property:

• According to the new Bushfire Attack Level Standard AS3959:2009 in BAL – LOW, BAL -12.5, BAL -19, and Category 1 (AS3959) areas, hinged doors such as Bi-fold doors, French doors, Stacker doors do not require special protective metal and bronze screens - provided they are built to comply with the standard. In such cases, retractable and pleated retractable fly screens can be discreetly fitted to the interior of the opening. Please note other types of windows may require metal screens to be attached to the exterior of the opening.
   
• BAL 12.5
  - Windows – All openings must be screened internally or externally with metal screens steel, bronze or aluminium
  - Hinged doors – no screens required, therefore retractable flyscreens can be applied
  - Sliding doors – no screens required but if screened must be with metal screens steel, bronze or aluminium
   
• BAL 19
  - Windows - All openings must be screened internally or externally with metal screens steel, bronze or aluminium
  - Hinged doors – no screens required, therefore retractable screens can be applied
  - Sliding doors – no screens required but if screened must be with metal screens steel, bronze or aluminium
  - The Australia Standard 3959 has been updated and republished AS3959:2009 in response to the recent devastating bushfires.  So far the Bushfire Attack Level AS3959:2009 has been adopted by Victoria and ACT, with all other states to adopt the standard in 2010; the Building Code of Australia is due to reference the standard on 1st May 2010

Disclaimer
We highly recommend you contact your local council for up to date information. This page has been developed to provide general information, it should not be viewed as a definitive guide and should be read in conjunction to the full Standard AS3959:2009.  While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, Artilux Australia expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person for anything done in reliance on this publication.  Artilux Australia Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility for any mistakes, errors or omissions on this page.