The release of the ground-breaking FIRECOAT range is the culmination of years of dedicated research and development by leading scientists and engineers from the University of NSW Sydney.

The exterior paint has been accredited with a BAL-40 rating by independent body, The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), Australia's leading accreditation body.

What is the BAL Rating System?

The BAL rating is the Australian standard for measuring the risk of a home’s exposure to ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. The BAL rating determines the construction and building requirements necessary to protect homes in bushfire prone areas.

There are six levels of the BAL rating in accordance with the Australian Standard – AS 3959:2018 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. The ratings increase as fire severity increases. The higher the BAL rating of materials, the more protection is provided to structures as fire severity increases.

	
				BAL
				Description of risk - Bush Fire Attack Level
			
				BAL – LOW
				Low risk potential fire.
			
				BAL – 12.5
				Risk is primarily from potential embers during a fire
			
				BAL – 19
				Moderate risk, particularly from embers and burning debris.
			
				BAL – 29
				High risk, particularly from embers, debris and heat.
			
				BAL – 40
				Very high risk. Likely to be impacted by embers, debris, heat and potentially flames.
			
				BAL – FZ
				Extreme risk. Directly exposed to the flames of a potential fire front.

BAL	Description of risk - Bush Fire Attack Level
BAL – LOW	Low risk potential fire.
BAL – 12.5	Risk is primarily from potential embers during a fire
BAL – 19	Moderate risk, particularly from embers and burning debris.
BAL – 29	High risk, particularly from embers, debris and heat.
BAL – 40	Very high risk. Likely to be impacted by embers, debris, heat and potentially flames.
BAL – FZ	Extreme risk. Directly exposed to the flames of a potential fire front.

Protecting your property from fire

In addition to using FIRECOAT undercoats there are a number of measures you can take to protect your assets from fire. Visit the Your Home Government website for more ideas on bushfire protection.
Some low-cost options include:

Sealing all gaps around the house with appropriately specified joining strips or flexible silicon-based sealant
Installing appropriately specified building membranes behind weatherboards or other external cladding when they are being replaced
Installing appropriately specified building membranes beneath existing roofing (especially tiled roofs) when it is being replaced for maintenance
Installing draught excluders at the base of side-hung doors, and draught seals around window and door frames
Sealing vents and weep holes in external walls with aluminium mesh (<2mm gap)
Sealing around roofing and roof penetrations with appropriately specified flexible silicon-based sealant
Installing non-combustible gutter guards
Putting non-combustible metal mesh over areas of windows and doors where they can be opened
Reducing the amount of bushfire fuel around the house to create an asset protection zone or a defendable space.

In the event of a bushfire, it is recommended that you leave your property as soon as possible and follow advice provided by your local fire-fighting service. For further guidance and tips on protecting yourself and your property during a bushfire, refer to the Rural Fire Service website.

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Technical and Education

What is the BAL Rating System?

How do Firecoat Paints compare to other paints?

Protecting your property from fire

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