This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge to perform Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessments.

Individuals undertaking Bushfire Attack Level assessments require a theoretical knowledge of fire, an understanding of regulatory frameworks, an ability to assess a location and consult with clients on the benefits of achieving fire resistance. It includes analysing the cause and effect of bushfire attack and correlating information about site conditions and determining the Bushfire Attack Level for a site.

The unit is applicable to personnel who are responsible for conducting a Bushfire Attack Level assessment as described in industry standards related to the construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas.

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in some jurisdictions.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Analyse cause and effect of bushfireattack on buildings

1.1

Objectives of planning and building legislation and standards covering development in areas exposed to bushfire are reviewed to identify measures to improve performance of buildings when subject to bush fire attack

1.2

Requirements for Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment are identified and complied with including Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), legislative, organisational and certification requirements

1.3

Interaction between fuel, topography and weather is assessed for the site and potential bushfire behaviour and its impact on people and property is determined

1.4

Potential fire impact on buildings including construction durability and immediate environment is determined

1.5

Sources of combustion are identified to determine how they influence the BAL

2

Correlate information about site conditions

2.1

The location of the site being assessed is identified

2.2

Fire Danger Index (FDI) and/or wind speed is determined for the site

2.3

Vegetation classification, type and height is determined for the site

2.4

Distance from vegetation to building sites is measured, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.5

Slope of land under vegetation is measured, in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Determine BAL for site

3.1

Relevant FDI, vegetation classification and type, distance to vegetation and slope are used to determine BALs applicable to the site

3.2

BALs appropriate to the site are verified, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3

Details of BAL assessment is documented and reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

legislation and standards must include all the following

AS 3959 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas (or successor)

NASH Standard - Steel Frame Construction in Bushfire Areas (National Association of Streel Framed Housing)

National Construction Code (Building Code of Australia)

planning requirements and relevant state and territory legislation

buildings must include the following

alterations and additions to existing buildings

new buildings

Fire Danger Index (FDI) must include one or more of the following

forest fire and grassland fire danger indexes

organisational and jurisdiction specific requirements for their use

vegetation type must include one or more of the following

as defined in AS3959 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas (or successor)

as specified in organisational and jurisdictional guides

Fire

Fire