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AS 3959:2018

Current

Current

The latest, up-to-date edition.

Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas

Available format(s)

Hardcopy , PDF 1 User , PDF 3 Users , PDF 5 Users , PDF 9 Users

Language(s)

English

Published date

11-14-2018

Preview
US$149.61
Excluding Tax where applicable

To download or make a comment on the Draft Standard, click here to go to the

AS 3959 2018 specifies requirements for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas in order to improve their resistance to bushfire attack from burning embers, radiant heat, flame contact and combinations of the three attack forms. AS 3959 download is available.

Committee
FP-020
DevelopmentNote
New PDF incorporating Amendment 2.
DocumentType
Standard
ISBN
978 1 76072 253 1
Pages
119
PublisherName
Standards Australia
Status
Current
Supersedes

This Standard specifies requirements for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas in order to improve their resistance to bushfire attack from burning embers, radiant heat, flame contact and combinations of the three attack forms.
Although this Standard is designed to improve the performance of buildings when subjected to bushfire attack in designated bushfire-prone areas there can be no guarantee that a building will survive a bushfire event on every occasion. This is substantially due to the unpredictable nature and behaviour of fire and extreme weather conditions.
This Standard does not provide any requirements for fencing and screen walls. Fencing and screen walls may reduce exposure of a building to embers, radiant heat and flame contact from the bushfire front and from other potential fire sources such as adjacent buildings. The efficacy of fencing and walls depends on its resistance to ember, radiant heat and flame attack and potential for ignition and subsequent sustained flaming, height and structural design and specific site configurations. Therefore no specific advice has been provided in this Standard but designers may consider utilizing fencing and walls to improve house survivability beyond the base levels provided in this Standard..

With the growing risk of bushfires in Australia, AS 3959:2018 provides a framework for designing and constructing buildings to improve their resistance to heat, flames, and burning embers. The Standard outlines requirements for what materials to use; how to create defensible space; and the types of design features to implement. The aim is to reduce the risk of fire damage while making buildings safer for occupants in bushfire-prone areas.

AS 3959:2018 applies to all major renovations and new building construction in the residential and commercial sectors.

Purchasing the AS 3959:2018 Standard will help you to design and construct buildings with vastly enhanced resistance to bushfires and the three main attack forms. Bushfires can spread quickly. AS 3959:2018 limits the potential for ignitions and burning with its guidance on fire-resistant materials, roof protection, Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessments, maintenance, and more.


The AS 3959:2018 Standard also promotes:



  • Compliance with regulations: The Standard ensures you comply with local council regulations and government policies enacted to prevent bushfires; reducing exposure to legal and financial risks and penalties

  • Long-term durability: The Standard’s focus on fire-resistant materials and techniques supports design and construction techniques that will keep buildings durable and functional for years to come In Australia

  • Property protection: The Standard saves homes and protects them from being destroyed by bushfires; protecting communities and businesses

  • Better safety: The Standard provides recommendations for windows, roofing, walls, and flooring that are fire-resistant; enhancing safety even in extreme bushfire conditions

Originated as AS 3959-1991.
Previous edition 2009.
Fourth edition AS 3959:2018.
Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (June 2019).
Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 2 (December 2020).

AS 4285:2019 Rooflights

You may also need access to AS 4285:2019

This Standard specifies requirements for the manufacture and testing of rooflights comprising a factory-manufactured assembly to permit natural light transmission.

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