Timbers:
Designing for Timber Cladding in Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Zones - Australia
Bush fires are becoming increasingly dangerous in Australia, and design is now required for certain bush fire areas.
Typically the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) is used to ascertain the level of fire resistance required by a building. The higher the BAL number, the more intense the bush fire risk.
Timber detailing needs to be appropriate for the BAL zone, and of course external timber cladding is an area of focus.
The WoodSolutions Design Guide provides an excellent overview of how and where Abodo timber cladding can be used on a BAL rated building.
Abodo timber cladding can be used up to BAL 19, assuming it is used 400mm above an external surface. For higher BAL ratings it is possible to use a rated fire-grade plasterboard system FRL 60/60/60.
Consult USG Boral for more detail.
