New Bush Fire Building Standards

Monday, 9 February 2009

Australian Building Codes Board

5 March 2009 
 

 NEW BUSHFIRE BUILDING STANDARDS

At its meeting today, the Australian Building Codes Board unanimously agreed to adopt the new national bushfire standard for residential buildings, replacing the 1999 Standard referenced in the Building Code of Australia.

The new standard, AS 3959-2009, which was finalised by Standards Australia today, takes a risk management approach and aligns construction requirements more closely to the assessed level of bushfire exposure for new building work.  It introduces a science-based method for assessing the potential level of bushfire attack at a building site, which is a more accurate and targeted way of determining the likely risk to life and property. 

The board chairman, Mr Graham Huxley AM, wrote today to Standards Australia to convey the board's decision.  He confirmed the board's policy intent to have the stringency of the new standard set at the highest option considered in its Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS).  The RIS found that this option would provide a positive net benefit and be more cost effective than current arrangements.  The final RIS is available on the board's website at www.abcb.gov.au  He asked that the new standard be published as soon as possible, noting that Standards Australia's technical committee had finalised its work.  

The board welcomed the Victorian Government's recent announcement regarding the Royal Commission that will inquire into all aspects of the recent bushfires, including questions relating to improving fire safety of housing and other buildings, and materials used in construction.

The board recognised that while construction standards for new houses are important, they are only one factor in addressing bushfire risks.  Other actions can be very important and a holistic approach to bushfire risk is essential.  Examples of other strategies include planning controls, vegetation management, community education, evacuation procedures and emergency response. 

To facilitate early action by Governments, the board is ready to assist any State or Territory that wishes to adopt the new standard prior to a formal change to the national Code when it is next updated in 2010.

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