The coming of spring brings increased attention on bushfire risk for many regions of Australia. As we approach the warmer months, fire and emergency authorities have warned this year could face “a heightened threat of bushfires” following the warmest Australian August on record.
Bushfire events pose a monumental threat to the forest and wood products industry that can be felt across the supply chain – from damage to plantations and forests, to impacts to wood product quality and productivity.
FWPA maintains a strong focus on bushfire preparedness, management and mitigation in its research programs and resource development to protect commercial interests and reduce risk.
Our aim is to equip members across the sector with information and practical tools that will create more resilient products and practices within the industry and in the longer term, better protect Australian homes.
Below is a summary of key resources and information on bushfire risks and impacts, and best practice for timber construction in fire-prone areas developed via FWPA’s WoodSolutions program for the benefit of our members and supply chain customers.
Building in bushfire-prone areas
Timber framing and wood products can be used in a range of applications for residential construction subject to the requirements of Australian Standard AS3959 – Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas.
A bushfire attack level (BAL) assessment is a calculation of the degree of risk of bushfire attack of an individual building site. Across six levels, each BAL rating has requirements regarding which building materials can be used and how, for residential construction.
FWPA’s WoodSolutions program provides several resources for understanding and calculating a BAL assessment:
- Blog: Building with wood and BALs
An overview of BALs and the guidance they provide for the use of timber in bushfire-prone areas. - Webinar: Demystifying Bushfire Attack Level BAL Assessment
Hear from bushfire expert Dr Maria Kornakova about the BAL process, how it is calculated and its benefits. - Tool: BAL Bushfire Calculator V2.1
An online calculator to determine the BAL for a specific construction site. - Fact sheet: Building in bushfire prone areas (Fact sheet 19)
A printable summary of key Standards related to fire safety and overview of WoodSolutions resources to support the construction industry. - Podcast: WoodChat episode 14 – Building with wood in bushfire-prone areas
Best-practice methods on building with wood in bushfire-prone areas, with a focus on the important work FWPA is doing to provide resources for the construction industry and consumers about building resilient homes with timber.
Fire safe design
Of course, considering fire safety at the design stage is an important early step in improving bushfire readiness and resilience. WoodSolutions has published several design guides on this topic, suitable for a broad range of building practitioners including fire safety engineers, building certifiers, structural engineers, fire authorities, architects, and building consultants and is the go-to source for the correct specification and application of timber in bushfire zone construction. Click on each link below to access:
- Guide 15: Fire Design
- Guide 17: Fire Safe Design of Timber Structures – Compliance with the NCC
- Guide 18: Fire Safe Design of Timber Structures – Methods of Analysis and Supporting Data
- Guide 19: Performance Solution Fire Compliance – Internal Linings
- Guide 20: Fire Precautions During Construction of Large Buildings
- Guide 38: Fire Safety Design of Mid-rise Timber Buildings
Bushfire research and development
Current research projects
Several FWPA-supported research projects are currently underway, examining aspects of fire behaviour, impact and mitigation. Their findings will continue to equip all facets of the forest and wood products industry with greater knowledge, understanding and guidance for managing risks and reducing the impacts of fires.
Some examples are:
- Quantifying the wider economic impact of a large-scale fire in the Green Triangle plantation estate
While the direct impact of fires can be determined relatively simply, the impact of a large-scale fire on the wider community is more complex – especially given that the disruption to wood flows can be experienced for decades. This project seeks to quantify the impact on the wider community including processors, contractors, their employees and the service industry. The Green Triangle region will be used as a case study, and the method is expected to be transferrable to other regions.
- Cost/benefit analysis of the fire risk mitigation & nutrient impacts of treating pine thinning residues
Pine thinning residues left in situ increase fire risk. This project examines the cost/benefit of treating thinning residues in terms of fire risk mitigation and nutrient retention.
Existing research and resources
FWPA’s WoodChat podcast regularly interviews leading experts on bushfire risks, impacts and mitigation, covering a range of research and projects across Australia.
- Episode 27: Modelling the future to help minimise the impacts of bushfire events on forestry. You can also read more in our interviews with Rodney Carter, CEO of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and Professor David Bowman of the University of Tasmania.
- Episode 22: Future-proofing the forestry industry against the impact of bushfires
Increasing our industry’s collective knowledge and understanding of bushfire behaviour, risks and mitigation techniques is critical to protecting plantations and forests, ensuring timber remains the material of choice in Australia’s homes and infrastructure into the future. FWPA will continue to support research and develop resources to support members in this crucial area.
