Guide
BAL ratings explained
If you're building or renovating in a bushfire-prone area, your site's Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) decides what your windows and doors must meet. Here's what each level means, and what we can supply.
What a BAL is
A Bushfire Attack Level measures how much a building could be exposed to embers, burning debris, radiant heat and flames in a bushfire. It's set by a site assessment under Australian Standard AS 3959, based on things like the vegetation nearby, its distance from the building and the slope of the land.
The higher the BAL, the stricter the construction requirements for the building, including its windows and doors. Your BAL rating is on your building permit or bushfire assessment.
The six levels
| Level | What it means | InFrame windows and doors |
|---|---|---|
| BAL-LOW | Very low risk. No specific bushfire construction requirements. | Any of our windows and doors. |
| BAL-12.5 | Ember attack. Radiant heat up to 12.5 kW/m². | IDEAL 4000 windows, Smart Slide doors and swing doors. |
| BAL-19 | Increasing ember attack and burning debris. Radiant heat up to 19 kW/m². | IDEAL 4000 windows, Smart Slide doors and swing doors. |
| BAL-29 | Increasing ember attack and burning debris. Radiant heat up to 29 kW/m². | IDEAL 4000 windows, Smart Slide doors and swing doors. |
| BAL-40 | Increasing ember attack and debris, radiant heat up to 40 kW/m², and an increasing chance of flame contact. | IDEAL 4000 windows, Smart Slide doors and swing doors. |
| BAL-FZ | Flame zone. Direct exposure to flames, with radiant heat over 40 kW/m². | Not available. |
Level descriptions summarise AS 3959. Double hung and bifold windows aren't available for BAL-40. For those windows and our other door types, tell us your BAL and we'll confirm the options.
What we supply for bushfire-prone sites
Up to and including BAL-40
Our IDEAL 4000 windows, Smart Slide doors and swing doors are available for sites rated up to and including BAL-40. That covers our awning, tilt and turn, sliding, fixed, casement and bay windows.
Other doors
For Vario Slide, lift and slide, stacking and bifold doors, tell us your BAL and we'll confirm what's available.
Specified in your quote
Tell us your BAL when you request a quote. The quote builder asks for it, and we specify each window and door to suit.
Not for flame zone
We don't supply windows or doors for BAL-FZ sites.
Know your BAL?
Choose it in the quote builder's project details, or include it with your plans. If you're not sure yet, choose "Not sure yet" and we'll help.
Common questions
Where do I find my BAL rating?
Your BAL rating is on your building permit or bushfire assessment. If you don't have one yet, your building surveyor or a bushfire consultant can tell you what's needed.
What is the highest BAL your windows meet?
Our IDEAL 4000 windows, Smart Slide doors and swing doors are available for sites rated up to and including BAL-40. Double hung and bifold windows aren't available for BAL-40. We don't supply for BAL-FZ.
Can uPVC windows be used in bushfire areas?
Yes. Our IDEAL 4000 uPVC windows are available for sites rated up to and including BAL-40.
Are all your doors suitable for bushfire areas?
Smart Slide and swing doors are available up to and including BAL-40. For our other doors, tell us your BAL and we'll confirm the options.
More answers on our common questions and energy efficiency pages.