Is Your Gutter Guard BAL Compliant? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you live in a bushfire-prone area in Australia, you're likely aware of the growing emphasis on building compliance and fire protection. But did you know that your gutter guard could be the difference between a compliant home and a serious fire risk? In this guide, we’ll explain what BAL compliance means, when gutter guards are required, and how All Flow Gutter Guard helps you meet the latest Australian bushfire safety standards.



What Is BAL Compliance?

BAL stands for Bushfire Attack Level, a system used to assess the risk of a building being affected by bushfire. BAL ratings are assigned based on factors such as vegetation type, slope, and proximity to bushland.

There are six BAL categories:

• BAL-LOW – Very low risk
  
  
• BAL-12.5 – Low risk
  
  
• BAL-19 – Moderate risk
  
  
• BAL-29 – High risk
  
  
• BAL-40 – Very high risk
  
  
• BAL-FZ – Flame zone (extreme risk)



Each category has different construction requirements under the Australian Standard AS 3959: Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-Prone Areas.

Do You Need Gutter Guards to Be BAL Compliant?

Here’s where many homeowners get confused. Gutter guards are not always required for BAL compliance, but in some cases, they are recommended or must meet strict criteria if used.

So, to be clear:

• You don’t have to install gutter guards to be compliant in all zones.
  
• But if you do install gutter guards, they must meet BAL compliance criteria for your zone.



Why Gutter Guards Matter in High-Risk Zones

Ember attacks account for the majority of home losses in bushfires. When embers land in gutters clogged with dry leaves, bark, and twigs, they can ignite rapidly. Ember guards help by:

• Blocking embers from entering gutters
  
• Preventing fuel build-up
  
• Reducing fire ignition points on your roofline
  
• Allowing gutters to stay water-ready during bushfire days

Compliant gutter guards provide a passive defence system, helping your home meet standards and increasing your bushfire resilience.



All Flow Gutter Guard: Built for BAL Compliance

At All Flow, we offer two CSIRO-tested aluminium mesh options, both fire-rated to AS 1530.2-1993:

✔ Expanded Mesh (Standard)

• Lightweight and durable
  
• Suitable for general leaf and pest protection
  
• Ideal for BAL-12.5 and BAL-19 zones

✔ Woven Mesh (Ember Guard)

• Extra-fine mesh with <2mm openings
  
• Meets ember guard requirements for BAL-29 to BAL-FZ
  
• Blocks even the smallest embers and debris



Key Features of All Flow Gutter Guard

• Fire-rated to AS 1530.2–1993
• CSIRO tested for bushfire performance
• Suitable for both metal and tile roofs
• Rust-free powder-coated aluminium
• Available in 23 Colorbond® colours
• Includes Colorbond® BlueScope Steel accessories
• 15-year performance guarantee

All Flow Gutter Guard is engineered for Australian conditions. Whether you're protecting a family home, shed, or outbuilding, it delivers long-term, compliant protection you can trust.



Retrofitting Gutter Guards for Compliance

If you're renovating, building an extension, or simply upgrading your home in a bushfire-prone area, retrofitting your gutters with BAL-compliant mesh can:

• Help meet current AS 3959 standards
  
• Improve your home’s insurance compliance
  
• Add critical protection ahead of fire season
  
• Be applied to homes, garages, sheds, and outbuildings

Installing compliant gutter mesh now may save you thousands in the event of a fire.



How to Find Your BAL Rating

Not sure what your BAL category is? Here are some ways to find out:



1. Check Existing Property Documents

If your home was built or renovated in recent years, your BAL rating may be listed in your building permit, bushfire management overlay (BMO) report, or council documentation.



2. Use an Online Tool

Use these official tools and maps to determine if your property is in a bushfire-prone area or to estimate your BAL (Bushfire Attack Level):

Victoria – Planning Maps Online

Use this map to view overlays for bushfire risk, vegetation, and zoning.
Victoria Planning Maps Online
Tip: Turn on the “Bushfire Management Overlay” (BMO) layer to check your property.

New South Wales – Bush Fire Prone Land Checker (RFS)

Check if your land is officially designated as bush fire prone.
Check Bush Fire Prone Land – NSW RFS 

 Note: This does not give a BAL rating but indicates bushfire-prone designation.

Queensland – Bushfire Mapping Tools

Use these tools to check bushfire potential in your area:
QLD Postcode Checker 

QLD Bushfire Prone Area Mapping (Open Data)

Western Australia – Bushfire Prone Areas Map (DFES)

View WA’s official bushfire-prone area map:
WA Interactive Map – Landgate 

Instructions for Use (PDF)  

The latest mapping took effect on 24 September 2024.

These tools offer a preliminary estimate of your BAL rating.

3. Hire a Certified BAL Assessor

For legal or council purposes, a qualified BAL assessor can inspect your property and issue an official BAL certificate.

"Knowing your BAL rating is essential to choosing the right level of fire protection for your property — including your gutter guard system."

Why This Matters More Than Ever

The concept of bushfire compliance in building standards is not brand new, but it has become more stringent and widely enforced in recent years, especially after major fire events like:

• 2009 Black Saturday Fires (Vic)
  
• 2019–2020 Black Summer Bushfires (NSW, QLD, VIC, SA)

These devastating events highlighted the need for:

• Stronger construction codes
  
• Improved material testing
  
• Proactive retrofits of existing homes

Key Standards & Updates:

• AS 3959:2009 (updated in 2018) clarified bushfire-prone construction, including gutter guard recommendations for BAL-12.5 and up.
  
• The National Construction Code (NCC) now incorporates AS 3959 and is more strictly enforced by councils.
  
• CSIRO testing and fire rating benchmarks (like All Flow’s AS 1530.2–1993 mesh rating) have become the gold standard.

What’s Newer?

• Enforcement: Local councils and certifiers are more rigorously applying the standards.
  
  
• Responsibility: Homeowners are increasingly expected to know and follow BAL-related requirements.
  
  
• Insurance: Some insurers now require evidence of bushfire-rated features, especially in high-risk zones.
  
  

"Compliance isn’t just a legal box to tick — it’s an essential part of protecting your home, your family, and your investment."

Ready to Get BAL Compliant?

All Flow makes it easy to protect your property with high-performance, BAL-compliant gutter guards.  Order online now at allflow.net or call 1800 033 116 for expert advice.