Bushfire risk assessment process for planning and the elements of BAL Assessments. Chris Wyborn General Manager Education & Bushfire Services

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1 Bushfire risk assessment process for planning and the elements of BAL Assessments Chris Wyborn General Manager Education & Bushfire Services

2 About FPA Australia Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) is Australia s national peak body for fire safety. Our Vision is to lead and support a professional industry to minimise the impact of fire on life, property and the environment, for a safer community Not-for-profit organisation Head office is based in Melbourne with 35 full time employees State and Territory Leadership Teams Provider of information, products and services including education to the fire protection industry and broader community Corporate members employing approximately 18,000 people across Australia

3 FPA Australia s bushfire activities FPA Australia s activities related to bushfire protection National Technical Advisory Committee for bushfire matters Member of Standards Australia FP-020 Committee (AS3959) State Bushfire Working Groups Provide guidance to universities on qualifications in bushfire protection Contribute to reviews of regulations and policies on bushfire protection throughout Australia Develop technical guidance, mentoring and support to industry and government including the development of technical documents Provide training services and professional development opportunities Manage an Accreditation Scheme for Bushfire Practitioners

4 Holistic Response to Bushfire Safety Emergency Management Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Effective Building and Planning Systems Safer Resilient Communities Fuel Management & Fire Prevention Activities 67 Recommendations 19 related to planning & building matters Effective Warning Systems and Safer Places Community Engagement & Education

5 Planning System Approach to Bushfire District / Regional Level (Avoid) Subdivision (Minimum BAL 29 exposure) Local structure plans and master plans (Go, Slow, No) Infill Development (BAL 29 or less) Minor Development (BAL 40 or BAL-FZ) Risk Acceptance

6 Assessing bushfire risk in the planning context

7 Bushfire Risk Assessment Process Starts at the broad scale level as to whether a site is defined as bushfire prone Hazard Assessment (Bushfire Attack Level) Type of development proposed What is the acceptable level of risk (structure planning, subdivision, infill) Land area subject to development Can planning mitigate risk? Is development dependent on construction only? Vulnerability of occupants Added risks arising from development (high risk land uses) Bushfire Protection Measures (BPMs) Ongoing maintenance of BPMs Education of occupants

8 Bushfire Protection Criteria The bushfire protection criteria are a performance-based system of assessing bushfire risk management measures. The bushfire protection criteria consist of four elements: Element 1: Location Element 2: Siting and design of development Element 3: Vehicular access Element 4: Water Each element has an intent which outlines the desired outcome for the element; a Performance Principle and Acceptable Solutions.

9 What is a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Means of measuring the severity of a building s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact Determined by flame length and radiant heat flux Expressed as increment of radiant heat flux expressed in kw/m2 AS provides two methods for determining the Bushfire Attack Level

10 Determining bushfire impacts using AS Environment & Site Information Fire Behaviour Model Model Determinations Weather & Climate Forest Rate of spread Fuel Types Grass Fire Intensity Topography Building Location Heath Heat Transfer (Radiation) Flame Lengths Bushfire Attack Levels

11 Method 1-6 Step process to Determine BAL Determine FDI Classify all Vegetation plots Determine Distance Determine Effective Slope Determine BAL for each plot Determine Site BAL and apply construction provisions

12 Why is vegetation classification important? It is the primary governing factor in determining the BAL rating; It is one of the most contentious issues in the industry; Many square pegs for round holes AS Vegetation Classifications Class A - Forest Class B - Woodland Class C - Shrubland Class D - Scrub Class E Mallee / Mulga Class F Rainforest Class G - Grassland Excludable Fire Behaviour Model Forest Grass Heath

13 Vegetation Classification Issues Low Threat Exemptions

14 Vegetation Classification Issues Low Threat Exemptions

15 Vegetation Classification Issues Short Fire Runs

16 Vegetation Classification Issues Non Homogenous Vegetation

17 Vegetation Classification Issues Grasslands

18 Modified vegetation and timing of the assessment The BAL Assessment must be completed as the vegetation presents at the time of the assessment. This means the vegetation must be classified as is when the inspection occurs. ii. iii. There are three exemptions: i. Post bushfire, where vegetation must be assessed in its prefire mature state; If vegetation has been temporarily landscaped / modified to a low threat state and there is no expectation of maintaining the current status in perpetuity; and If revegetation of an area has occurred it must be assessed on the mature revegetated state.

19 Standardisation of BAL Reports & Certificates FPA Australia has developed in conjunction with the State Government a standard BAL Report and Certificate Effective from 1 July 2016: All BAL Reports issued by Accredited Practitioners must be consistent and include the elements from the template report All BAL Reports must be accompanied by the approved BAL Certificate without modification

20 Bushfire Accreditation FPA Australia developed and administers the Bushfire Planning and Design Accreditation Scheme - BPAD Scheme. Implemented in 2006, it recognises practitioners who can assist the community undertaking development on land subject to bushfire impact. Adopts a National Framework approach customised for specific jurisdictions Accredits individuals (practitioners) who provide bushfire assessment, planning, design and advice services. Requires practitioners to meet criteria based on specific accreditation and competency requirements.

21 BPAD National Framework BPAD Category Description BPAD Level 1 Recognises practitioners who determine Bushfire Attack Levels using simplified methods and provide advice on appropriate design and construction requirements BPAD Level 2 BPAD Level 3 Recognises practitioners who develop planning and building applications by applying prescribed design requirements in accordance with local regulatory requirements in addition to the activities described for a Level 1 Practitioner Recognises practitioners who develop planning and building applications by developing alternative design solutions (excluding construction provisions) in accordance with local regulatory requirements in addition to the activities described for a Level 1 and Level 2 Practitioner

22 Key components of the BPAD Scheme

23 Benefits of Accreditation The benefits for the community and government include: Increased safety and reliability resulting from professional assessment and determination of appropriate mitigation measures. Provision of effective, professional and consistent advice for land-use planning and building decision processes. Improved planning and building approval process by relying on the reports and recommendations of accredited professionals. Confidence that planning and building applications are compliant. Community confidence that an Accredited Practitioner is competent and protected through insurance.

24 Complaints and Continuous Improvement Complaints Handling and Opportunities for improvement State of the Industry new, evolving, practices need and will improve over time. We need to partner with local government to ensure that the industry progresses and matures into a source of reliable, consistent and professional industry. Brochure

25 Bushfire Training Courses FPA Australia has developed two training courses specific to building and planning in bushfire prone areas in Western Australia. Bushfire Attack Level Assessor - Short Course 5 day short course that provides participants with the required skills, knowledge and ability to determine a Bushfire Attack Level and provide advice on the required construction provisions. Building & Planning in Bushfire Prone Areas - Awareness Course 2 day awareness course that provides participants with a broad understanding of the building and planning requirements for development in bushfire prone areas in Western Australia.

26 BAL Assessor Short Course 5 Days The course covers a wide range of elements including: bushfire behaviour bushfire planning and building legislative requirements in Western Australia assessing and determining bushfire attack levels using AS3959 knowledge of bushfire impact and building design to mitigate bushfire impact; and knowledge of bushfire resistant construction

27 Planning and Building in Bushfire Prone Areas (2 Days) The course covers a wide range of elements including: bushfire behaviour bushfire planning and building legislative requirements in Western Australia understanding of the application of AS3959; and bushfire specific documentation to support building and planning applications

28 Subsidy for local government Subsidy of $870 available to Local Government employees for the 5 Day course and $600 for the 2 Day course. Town Planners, Building Surveyors and staff performing planning and building surveying functions are eligible Three applicants per council entitled to the 5 day course subsidy and one applicant per council for the 2 day course subsidy Subsidy is paid as a refund on successful completion of the 5 day course and is deducted from the enrolment fee for the 2 day course Limited opportunities remain must be spent before 30 June 2017