Building in a BAL Zone: What You Need to Know
Australia’s beautiful landscapes come with the reality of bushfire risk in many areas.
If you’re building or renovating in a bushfire-prone location, your home may fall within a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) zone. These zones define the potential risk from ember attack, radiant heat, and even direct flame contact—and they come with important building requirements.
At Monier, we understand the critical role your roof plays in bushfire resilience. With the right roofing system, you can protect your home without compromising on style or performance.
What is a BAL Rating?
A BAL rating measures the severity of a building’s potential exposure to bushfire hazards. There are six BAL levels, ranging from BAL-LOW (minimal risk) to BAL-FZ (Flame Zone), which indicates direct exposure to flames and extreme radiant heat.
Each level comes with construction requirements set out in the Australian Standard AS 3959 – Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas, including specifications for roofing, walls, windows, and more. These requirements help improve a building’s resistance to bushfire attack.
Why the Roof Matters in a BAL Zone
Roof spaces are highly vulnerable during bushfires, particularly from ember entry. Burning embers can penetrate gaps in the roofline, igniting insulation, roof timbers or accumulated debris. This is why roofing in a BAL zone must be designed and installed with care.
Monier’s concrete and terracotta roof tiles are non-combustible, making them well-suited to homes in bushfire-prone areas. When installed correctly with ember protection and fire-rated sarking, tiled roofs can form part of a compliant and resilient roofing solution under AS 3959.
Monier + CSR: Smarter Solutions Together
Monier tiles are built tough for Australian conditions and can help meet BAL requirements when installed correctly. As part of the CSR family, we also recommend Bradford Insulation’s Bushfire Roofing Design Guide—a great resource for understanding how insulation, sarking and roof design work together to improve bushfire resistance.
View the Bradford Bushfire Roofing Systems Design Guide
Peace of Mind with Monier
Monier tiles offer more than great looks—they’re part of a durable, fire-resilient roofing system that can help protect your home in challenging environments. Backed by long warranties and generations of Australian manufacturing expertise, our products help you build with confidence.
