GLOSSARY · ADELAIDE
BAL rating
Plain English
Bushfire Attack Level rating assigned to properties in bushfire-prone areas. Drives construction requirements under AS 3959.
BAL ratings range from BAL-LOW (negligible risk) through BAL-12.5, 19, 29, 40, and BAL-FZ (Flame Zone - highest risk). Adelaide Hills properties commonly sit in BAL-12.5 to BAL-40.
Higher BAL ratings drive stricter construction requirements: ember guards on roofs, fire-resistant cladding, BAL-rated windows and doors, defensible spaces.
For Hills purchases, inspectors verify whether existing construction complies with the property's BAL rating. Non-compliant retrofits or extensions can create insurance and resale problems.