AS 3959-1999

1 - AS 3959:1999 CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS IN BUSHFIRE-PRONE AREAS
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
6 - FOREWORD
7 - SECTION 1 - SCOPE AND GENERAL
7 - 1.1 SCOPE
7 - 1.2 OBJECTIVE
7 - 1.3 APPLICATION
7 - 1.4 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
8 - 1.5 DEFINITIONS
8 - 1.5.1 Bushfire
8 - 1.5.2 Bushfire attack
8 - 1.5.3 Bushfire-prone area
8 - 1.5.4 Combustible
8 - 1.5.5 Fire retardant
8 - 1.5.6 Fire-retardant-treated timber
9 - 1.5.7 Foliage cover
9 - 1.5.8 Non-combustible
9 - 1.5.9 Site
9 - 1.5.10 Wildfire
10 - SECTION 2 - SITE BUSHFIRE ATTACK ASSESSMENT
10 - 2.1 GENERAL
10 - 2.2 PROCEDURE
10 - 2.2.1 General
10 - 2.2.2 Predominant vegetation class
11 - 2.2.3 Distance from vegetation
11 - 2.2.4 Slope
13 - SECTION 3 - BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
13 - 3.1 GENERAL
13 - 3.2 LEVELS OF CONSTRUCTION
13 - 3.3 FLOORING SYSTEMS
13 - 3.3.1 Level 1 construction
14 - 3.3.2 Level 2 construction
14 - 3.3.3 Level 3 construction
15 - 3.4 SUPPORTING POSTS, COLUMNS, STUMPS, PIERS AND POLES
15 - 3.4.1 Level 1 construction
15 - 3.4.2 Level 2 construction
16 - 3.4.3 Level 3 construction
16 - 3.5 EXTERNAL WALLS
16 - 3.5.1 Level 1 construction
19 - 3.5.2 Level 2 construction
19 - 3.5.3 Level 3 construction
19 - 3.6 WINDOWS
19 - 3.6.1 Level 1 construction
19 - 3.6.2 Level 2 construction
19 - 3.6.3 Level 3 construction
19 - 3.7 EXTERNAL DOORS
19 - 3.7.1 Level 1 construction
19 - 3.7.2 Level 2 construction
20 - 3.7.3 Level 3 construction
20 - 3.8 VENTS AND WEEPHOLES
20 - 3.8.1 Level 1 construction
20 - 3.8.2 Level 2 construction
20 - 3.8.3 Level 3 construction
21 - 3.9 ROOFS
21 - 3.9.1 Level 1 construction
24 - 3.9.2 Level 2 construction
24 - 3.9.3 Level 3 construction
24 - 3.10 EAVES
24 - 3.10.1 Level 1 construction
24 - 3.10.2 Level 2 construction
24 - 3.10.3 Level 3 construction
24 - 3.11 FASCIAS
24 - 3.11.1 Level 1 construction
25 - 3.11.2 Level 2 construction
25 - 3.11.3 Level 3 construction
25 - 3.12 GUTTERS AND DOWNPIPES
25 - 3.12.1 Level 1 construction
25 - 3.12.2 Level 2 construction
25 - 3.12.3 Level 3 construction
25 - 3.13 VERANDAS AND DECKS
25 - 3.13.1 Level 1 construction
26 - 3.13.2 Level 2 construction
26 - 3.13.3 Level 3 construction
26 - 3.14 SERVICE PIPES (WATER AND GAS)
26 - 3.14.1 Level 1 construction
26 - 3.14.2 Level 2 construction
26 - 3.14.3 Level 3 construction
27 - APPENDIX A - HOW TO USE THIS STANDARD
27 - A1 GENERAL
27 - A2 BUSHFIRE-PRONE AREA
27 - A3 BUSHFIRE ATTACK
27 - A4 CONSTRUCTION
30 - APPENDIX B - DESIGNATION OF BUSHFIRE- PRONE AREAS BY VARIOUS AUTHORITIES
30 - B1 SCOPE
30 - B2 VICTORIA - ASSESSMENT OF BUSHFIRE-PRONE ZONES
31 - B3 NEW SOUTH WALES - ASSESSMENT OF BUSHFIRE-PRONE ZONES
31 - B4 SOUTH AUSTRALIA - BUSHFIRE HAZARD MAPPING
31 - B5 QUEENSLAND - BUSHFIRE RISK ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
32 - APPENDIX C - INFORMATION ON BUILDING IN BUSHFIRE-PRONE AREAS
32 - C1 GENERAL
32 - C2 SITING
32 - C3 LANDSCAPING
32 - C4 MAINTENANCE
33 - APPENDIX D - BIBLIOGRAHY OF PUBLICATIONS FOR BUILDING IN BUSHFIRE-PRONE AREAS

Sets out requirements for the design and construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas in order to improve their performance when they are subjected to burning debris, radiant heat or flame contact generated from a bushfire. Also includes a methodology for assessing categories of bushfire attack in respect of a site situated in an area that has been designated by a relevant authority as bushfire-prone.

This Standard specifies requirements for the design and construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas in order to improve their performance when subjected to burning debris, radiant heat or flame contact generated from a bushfire.

First published as AS 3959-1991.
Second edition 1999.