Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 42Nov 19, 2012 4:29 pm Ryan 1977 How far along are you? are you just trying to price the house or already building? Hi Ryan [and everyone else following this thread], We're still in council. About 10 months and counting... all down to bushfire challenges... Simon Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 43Nov 26, 2012 10:27 pm Hi everyone, Dont know if everyone is having problems with the current BMO and getting the CFA to sign off on planning permits. The CFA has recently released a new document,“GUIDELINES FOR MEETING VICTORIA’S BUSHFIRE PLANNING REQUIREMENTS”, which will allow you to construct and obtain a planning, permit in a BAL FZ Area. I have been Liaising with a fairly new company, where they have been really helpful in Constructing in a FZ area; their link is as follows www.refugehomes.com.au Check them out, hope this helps, john Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 44Feb 27, 2013 3:56 am Simon and Jo How are you getting on? I haven't built a FZ house yet. Wondering how it is working out? I am happy to help but as I said I havent yet built FZ. I think things are getting easier though. cheers Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 45Feb 27, 2013 3:02 pm Hi Leighton, an interesting comment about you think things are getting easier. Would be interested to know what you have heard as i am also building in FZ... Cheers, Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 46Apr 14, 2013 11:15 am Hi All, For those of you building in NSW, check your DA conditions. I believe the rules are more relaxed in NSW than in VIC and QLD and the standard clause is as follows: Windows assemblies shall comply with modified Sections 3 and 9 of AS3959 (as above) or the following: - 1). They shall be completely protected by a non-combustible and non perforated bushfire shutter that complies with Section 3.7 of AS3959 excluding parts (e) & (f); and 2). They shall comply with the following: a) Window frames and hardware shall be metal; b) Glazing shall be toughened glass, minimum 6mm; c) Seals to stiles, head and sills or thresholds shall be manufactured from materials having a flammability index no greater than 5; d) The open able portion of the window shall be screened internally or externally with a mesh with a maximum aperture of 2mm, made from corrosion resistant steel or bronze. The frame supporting the mesh shall be metal. The key part to the above being excluding parts (e) & (f) of Section 3.7 AS3959, which basically reduces the requirements of the bush fire shutters. I'm looking to build in BAL-FZ area (no DA approval yet) and found this out doing some prelim research and calling a few companies. If anyone finds a cost effective solution to a BAL-FZ door (I don't think NSW allows exposed timber), please let me know!! Dan Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 47Apr 15, 2013 8:45 am We have not as yet found a cost effective FZ door. We have decided to have a wall the acts as a shield to the door area and have a BAL 40 door. Otherwise it was shutter over a normal door. Look forward to hearing more about your FZ build Dan if it progresses. Good luck. They aren't making it easy for us! Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 48Apr 15, 2013 11:16 pm Hi All, Its been a while since I've been on here... we got approval back in December 2012, however at the level of Flame Zone - which we knew would be the case, and have been trying to get changed to BAL40 [for various reasons]. So we're still waiting. That is an interesting extract Dan. My understanding is that you don't need to have screens/shutters over fixed windows and doors - thus making it slightly easier. I'll see if I can find the bit that backs this statement up. And Leighton - I'd love to hear your reason on why/how its getting easier - I am an optimist, but sometimes this just feels too hard Simon Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 49Apr 19, 2013 2:43 pm Hi All, In NSW if your assessment has this in it Windows assemblies shall comply with modified Sections 3 and 9 of AS3959 (as above) or the following: - 1). They shall be completely protected by a non-combustible and non perforated bushfire shutter that complies with Section 3.7 of AS3959 excluding parts (e) & (f); BAL 40 Windows with BAL 40 Roller shutters will pass, i know this as i own AdShutters and we have done a lot of work in these Bushfire areas and i see peoples frustration with these new laws everyday. They made these new rules when building but no one wants to take responsibility on what will pass, there is a lot of grey in these rules and i myself investigating for customers found i would get a different answer with each person i spoke to but finally one answer that kept coming up was what i had mentioned above when it excludes part e) & f) it will pass when you have BAL 40 Windows with BAL 40 Roller shutters (These roller shutters are an extruded aluminium material, more like a commercial grade rather then your standard domestic style) The only BAL FZ shutter is the paarhammer shutters which looks like a swingable steel door. The laws in NSW i have found are a little more relaxed then Victoria. Anyway i hope this helps you guys out. Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 50Apr 19, 2013 2:48 pm Thanks for the info Adza85. Sadly I am in Vic and our rules do seem to be stricter. Not sure why!! There are other FZ shutters available, which we are getting, can't afford Paarhammer, and if you have an FZ shutter, you can have any window underneath i.e. doesn't need to be BAL40. I was wondering though, with your product, woud a BAL 40 window with your shutters be a cheaper option for those instead of an FZ shutter with normal window? Cheers, Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 52Apr 19, 2013 3:00 pm Wow, that seems great then! We had a quote for shutters on 9 windows and it came to something in the range of $18,000! Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 54Apr 19, 2013 3:10 pm Manual roller shutters. They are concealed though. With tracks running down each side of the window. Or something like that. Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 55Apr 30, 2013 11:04 am ktotherose Manual roller shutters. They are concealed though. With tracks running down each side of the window. Or something like that. Hi ktotherose, Which manufacturer had concealed roller shutters? I haven't seen those before. Cheers Simon Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 56Apr 30, 2013 11:06 am We are actually concealing them in our house design. The walls will have a little spot where the rollers will hide away. The tracks won't be concealed though. Can't remember the brand. Will find out and let you know if you like. Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 59Apr 30, 2013 12:29 pm Yep that is correct. Makes it a little less obtrusive! Re: Anyone built in the FLAME ZONE??!! 60Jul 09, 2013 9:50 pm Hi you guys should try Nilfire for your Fire windows. They have great customer service and provide a quote really quick. The guys have been great! http://www.nilfire.com.au/ Hi All It has been a few weeks since my last update. The build has been progressing well. No major issues to report. The scaffolding was dropped today, gyprock will be… 96 357007 Yes it had a house on it. But Melbourne water only wanted something the original size of the existing house. We managed to fit a 45sq house on. 10 33668 First time building 2 storey home, is under construction (in Framing stage) in NSW. I have 3 toilets and need bidet spray in… 0 16855 |