Fire Attenuation Screens Adelaide
FIRE PROTECTION FOR YOUR WINDOWS & DOORS
Protect your home or business from floating embers with Stan Bond’s very best fire attenuation window screens. Custom designed to match your windows, our fire attenuation screens reduce the intensity of radiant heat flux by up to 27% over two hours (based on incident energy of 80kW per square metre), and a massive 43% based on incident energy of 40kW per square metre.
Get the protection your home deserves with Stan Bond’s fire attenuation screens Adelaide.
BAL Compliance Decision: Do You Need Fire Attenuation Screens?
Under AS 3959:2018 and the National Construction Code, requirements for fire-rated openings depend on your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL). Use this table to determine whether standard security screens are sufficient or whether Crimsafe Fire Attenuation screens are required for your opening.
Fire Attenuation Compliance Checklist for Adelaide Properties
Crimsafe fire attenuation screens meet the following compliance and performance standards:
- AS 5039:2008 — Security screen doors and security window grilles (security compliance)
- AS/NZS 3959:2018 — Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas (BAL compliance)
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) — Tested and rated for BAL-12.5, BAL-19, and BAL-29 applications
- Radiant heat reduction — CSIRO-tested to reduce radiant heat transfer by up to 59%
- Ember attack resistance — Woven stainless steel mesh prevents ember intrusion through openings
- Dual function — Provides both bushfire protection and AS 5039:2008 security screen compliance in a single installation
Stan Bond SA can supply the compliance certificates for installed Crimsafe fire attenuation screens on request. Contact us for the latest specification sheets for your building permit or insurance documentation.
When Are Fire Attenuation Screens Required? (NCC)
The National Construction Code (NCC) requires fire attenuation screens on window and door openings where buildings are within specified distances from site boundaries. Key thresholds vary by building class:
| Building Class | Description | Screens Required When... |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1a | Single dwelling (detached house) | External wall is less than 900 mm from a side or rear allotment boundary, OR less than 1800 mm from another building on the same allotment (NCC Housing Provisions 9.2.1) |
| Class 2 | Multi-unit residential (apartments, townhouses) | Assessed under NCC Volume One Part C4 (different thresholds to Class 1). A building certifier must confirm the specific distance triggers for your project. |
| Class 1b / 3 | Boarding houses, motels, hostels | Assessed individually under NCC Volume One by building certifier |
In Adelaide, Class 1a thresholds are commonly triggered in inner suburbs like Prospect, Unley, Goodwood and Norwood, where narrow allotments place external walls close to boundaries. Properties undergoing renovation, extension, or new construction should have plans checked by a building certifier for compliance.
Stan Bond SA supplies and installs Crimsafe fire attenuation screens and can provide product specification documentation for your building permit application. Contact us on 08 8336 2066 for a free measure and compliance assessment.
| BAL Rating | Risk Level | Typical Adelaide Zones | Standard Screens OK? | Fire Attenuation Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAL-LOW | Low bushfire risk | Inner suburban Adelaide (most metro areas) | Yes – any security screen sufficient | No |
| BAL-12.5 | Low-moderate risk | Fringe suburbs (Belair, Crafers, Highbury) | Yes – standard security screens comply | No |
| BAL-19 | Moderate risk | Hills Face Zone, some McLaren Vale, Kangaroo Island | Yes – AS 5039 security screens comply for most openings | No (check opening proximity rules) |
| BAL-29 | High risk — ember + radiant heat | Adelaide Hills, Aldgate, Stirling, Mylor, parts of McLaren Flat | No – standard screens do not comply for BAL-29 rated openings | YES – Crimsafe Fire Attenuation screens required |
| BAL-40 | Very high risk — extreme radiant heat | Rural-fringe Adelaide Hills, high-slope fire corridors | No – standard screens do not comply | YES – Crimsafe Fire Attenuation screens required. Additional structural protection may also apply. |
| BAL-FZ | Flame zone — direct flame contact possible | Immediately adjacent to bushland in extreme fire risk corridors | No | Consult specialist fire engineer – screens alone are insufficient for BAL-FZ |
BAL ratings must be assessed by a qualified fire authority assessor or your local council. Adelaide Hills Council, City of Mitcham and City of Burnside have the highest concentrations of BAL-29 and BAL-40 rated properties in metropolitan Adelaide. Source: AS 3959:2018; National Construction Code 2022; SA Country Fire Service.
The Highest Standards of Fire Protection
The Safest Fire Attenuation Window Screens
Fire attenuation screens are security-rated screens tested by CSIRO to reduce radiant heat flux by up to 59%. Required for Adelaide properties rated BAL-12.5 or higher under AS 3959. Crimsafe fire attenuation screens provide AS 5039:2008 security protection and radiant heat attenuation in a single product.
Stan Bond’s Fire Attenuation Screens abide by Australian standard AS 3959-2009 for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas.
If you’re wanting to comply with strict Australian standards and comply with all requirements of the Building Code of Australia, choose Stan Bond’s Fire Attenuation Window Screens – Adelaide’s finest window screens.
The Best Protection
Can Actually Save You Money!
DARE TO COMPARE
You want the best quality, require maximum protection and it needs to look great. That doesn’t mean it needs to cost the earth. In fact by choosing Ultra Fire Attenuation Security for your family or business, you not only receive greater flexibility of design, it can actually save you money.
The installation of Ultra Fire Attenuation Security reduces heat flux, which may eliminate the requirement for drench boxes to be installed above window openings.
Where Ultra Fire Attenuation Security is not deemed to be sufficient on its own, it can be used in conjunction with drench boxes increasing the attenuation properties by a considerable margin.
THE BEST FIRE PROTECTION MONEY CAN BUY
Stan Bond is Adelaide’s premier security door and window provider. If you’re after fire attenuation window screens, you’ve come to the right place. Trust Stan Bond to outfit your home with the very best window screens on the market. Visit us in store to view our full range of fire attenuation and security window screens.
Nice people, great job, great price.
Frequently Asked Questions About our Fire Attenuation Screens
Will Fire Attenuation Screens stop my house from burning in case of a bushfire?
The provision of a metallic mesh screen will prevent airborne brands/embers from freely passing through an open window. The mesh has also been tested to intercept a proportion of radiant heat; reflecting, absorbing and scattering it. The of the screens is ultimately to mitigate the risk of fire spread, but no screen can fully protect your home from severe fire conditions.
Do Fire Attenuation screens reduce the radiant heat of a fire?
Yes. Fire Attenuation Screens reduce the intensity of radiant heat flux and naked flame by up to 45%.
Can I escape out of a Fire Attenuation Screen?
Stan Bond’s Fire Attenuation Screens allow you to escape during an emergency. They are designed to unlock and open from inside.
Fire attenuation screens are security-rated screens that reduce radiant heat transfer from bushfires by up to 59% (CSIRO testing). Under AS 3959 (Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-Prone Areas), properties rated BAL-12.5 or higher may be required to install fire-rated screens on windows and doors. Crimsafe fire attenuation screens are the only Crimsafe product certified to provide both AS 5039:2008 security protection and radiant heat attenuation.
When Are Fire Attenuation Screens Required in South Australia?
Under the NCC and AS 3959:2018, fire attenuation screens are required for external windows and doors when:
- A wall opening is within 3 metres of a property boundary facing the bushfire hazard, or
- The opening is within 6 metres of another building on the same allotment, or
- The property is in a BAL-29 or BAL-40 designated zone (as determined by your local council or a fire authority assessor).
Standard security screens satisfy requirements up to BAL-19. Crimsafe Fire Attenuation screens are the required solution for BAL-29 and BAL-40 rated openings.
Source: National Construction Code (NCC) 2022; AS 3959:2018 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas; SA Country Fire Service. Consult your council or a fire authority assessor for your specific BAL rating.
Understanding Fire Attenuation and Bushfire Risk in Adelaide
South Australia has some of Australia’s most fire-prone landscapes. The Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, the Barossa Valley and many outer metro areas are classified as bushfire-prone under South Australian planning regulations.
Fire attenuation screens are a specialised type of security screen designed to reduce the intensity of radiant heat and block airborne embers — the two primary pathways by which bushfires spread to residential buildings.
Crimsafe fire attenuation screens use precision-manufactured stainless steel mesh with a 1.5mm x 1.5mm aperture. This aperture size meets the ember guard requirements of AS 3959-2009 (Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-prone Areas). The mesh reflects, absorbs and scatters radiant heat, reducing heat flux by up to 59% according to CSIRO testing.
How Crimsafe Fire Attenuation Screens Work
Crimsafe fire attenuation screens reduce bushfire risk through three key mechanisms:
- Ember blocking: The 1.5mm mesh aperture prevents airborne brands and embers from passing through open windows and doors — one of the most common ignition pathways for residential fires.
- Radiant heat attenuation: The stainless steel mesh reflects and scatters incoming radiant heat. CSIRO testing shows Crimsafe mesh reduces radiant heat flux by up to 59% under standard test conditions.
- Glass protection: The screen assembly protects glass from direct flame contact and radiant heat build-up, reducing the risk of glass fracture that would otherwise expose the interior to ember attack.
Fire attenuation screens are a risk reduction measure — part of a broader Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) compliance strategy. They do not make a building fireproof, but they significantly reduce the risk of ignition from radiant heat and ember attack.
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Ratings: What Adelaide Homeowners Need to Know
Every property in a designated bushfire-prone area must be assessed for its Bushfire Attack Level (BAL). This rating determines what building materials and protective measures are required by building code.
| BAL Rating | Risk Level | Typical Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| BAL-12.5 | Low-moderate | Ember protection required at all openings |
| BAL-29 | Moderate | Ember protection plus radiant heat protection |
| BAL-40 | High | Significant radiant heat and ember protection |
| BAL-FZ | Flame Zone | Maximum protection — Fire Protection Engineer required |
Crimsafe fire attenuation screens are suitable for use in BAL-12.5, BAL-29 and BAL-40 zones on windows, hinged doors, bifold doors, sliding doors and stacking doors. For BAL-FZ properties, Crimsafe screens require a Fire Safety Report from a licensed Fire Protection Engineer.
Adelaide Suburbs and Areas in Bushfire Risk Zones
The following Adelaide metropolitan and Hills areas commonly fall within BAL assessment requirements:
- Adelaide Hills suburbs: Bridgewater, Aldgate, Stirling, Crafers, Mount Barker, Hahndorf, Echunga, Nairne, Lobethal, Woodside, Balhannah, Gumeracha, Norton Summit, Summertown, Uraidla
- Northern outer suburbs: Two Wells, Angle Vale, Virginia (rural sections), Gawler outer areas
- Southern suburbs: Willunga, McLaren Vale, Sellicks Hill, Aldinga, Clarendon, Cherry Gardens
- Kangaroo Island: Classified as high bushfire risk — most new builds and renovations require BAL assessment
If your property is in one of these areas, or if you are building in a designated bushfire-prone zone, your building certifier will specify the BAL rating and what fire attenuation measures are required. Stan Bond has been supplying and installing fire attenuation screens to Adelaide Hills and outer metropolitan properties for over 15 years. We can advise on BAL compliance requirements and liaise with your builder or certifier.
Crimsafe Fire Attenuation Screen Technical Specifications
- Mesh type: 304 grade stainless steel, 0.9mm diameter wire
- Aperture size: 1.5mm x 1.5mm (compliant with AS 3959-2009 ember guard requirements)
- Radiant heat reduction: Up to 59% (CSIRO tested)
- Heat flux reduction at 80kW/m²: Up to 27% over 2 hours
- Heat flux reduction at 40kW/m²: Up to 43%
- Australian Standard: AS 3959-2009 — construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas
- Emergency escape option: Push-button release mechanism (opens from inside without a key)
- Frame: Powder-coated aluminium — full Crimsafe standard colour range
- Custom sizing: Made to measure at our Newton SA factory
- Warranty: 10 years standard
Installation Process
Stan Bond installs fire attenuation screens across Adelaide metro and the Hills region. Our process:
- Free measure and quote — we visit your property and measure all openings
- Custom manufacturing — screens are custom made at our Newton, SA factory
- Professional installation — trained installers fit the screens with correct fixings for each window and door type
- Compliance documentation — we provide product compliance information to support your building certification
Most residential fire attenuation screen installations are completed in a single day. Call 08 8336 2066 or request a free quote online.
More Questions About Fire Attenuation Screens
What is the difference between a fire attenuation screen and a security screen?
A standard Crimsafe security screen resists forced entry and keeps insects out. A fire attenuation screen does the same AND reduces radiant heat flux and blocks airborne embers, meeting AS 3959-2009 requirements for bushfire-prone construction. The 1.5mm x 1.5mm mesh aperture is the key specification that provides ember-guard compliance.
Which BAL ratings can Crimsafe fire attenuation screens be used for?
Crimsafe fire attenuation screens are suitable for BAL-12.5, BAL-29 and BAL-40 on windows, hinged doors, bifold doors, sliding doors and stacking doors. For BAL-FZ (Flame Zone) properties, specific window system testing is required. A Fire Safety Report from a licensed Fire Protection Engineer is required for BAL-FZ installations.
Do I need council or building approval to install fire attenuation screens?
If you are building a new home or undertaking a renovation requiring building approval in a bushfire-prone area, your building certifier will specify the required BAL rating and compliance measures. Fire attenuation screens form part of your building compliance documentation. For replacement screens on an existing installation, additional approval is generally not required. Consult your local council or building certifier if unsure.
Are fire attenuation screens the same as bushfire screens?
Yes. Fire attenuation screens, bushfire screens and radiant heat attenuation screens are all names for the same product. The key specification is the 1.5mm x 1.5mm mesh aperture meeting AS 3959-2009 ember guard requirements, plus tested radiant heat reduction performance. Crimsafe fire attenuation screens meet both criteria.
How much do fire attenuation screens cost in Adelaide?
Fire attenuation screens are priced similarly to Crimsafe security screens — custom made to your window and door sizes. Pricing varies based on the number of openings, sizes, door types and colour. Contact Stan Bond on 08 8336 2066 or use our online quote form for a free measure and written quote at your Adelaide property.
Can fire attenuation screens be fitted to sliding doors as well as windows?
Yes. Crimsafe fire attenuation screens are available for windows (fixed, hinged, sliding, louvre, casement), hinged doors, sliding doors, bifold doors, stacking doors and french doors. All door and window types that accept standard Crimsafe screens can also accept fire attenuation screens.
Fire Attenuation Screen Installations Across Adelaide
Stan Bond SA installs Crimsafe fire attenuation screens throughout Adelaide BAL-rated zones, with particular demand from Adelaide Hills council areas. Recent service areas include:
Steep fire corridors and dense bush interface require BAL-40 compliance on all external openings. Stan Bond SA has completed multiple installations for Adelaide Hills Council properties in this zone since 2022.
Popular residential suburb with extensive bushland backdrop. BAL-29 requirements apply to most properties within 100m of vegetation. Standard security screens are not sufficient for these openings.
Rural-residential properties in designated bushfire attack zones. Fire attenuation screens are council-required for planning approvals and building extensions.
Southern Hills and McLaren Vale fringe properties increasingly assigned BAL-29 or higher due to CFS risk mapping updates in 2023.
Not sure of your BAL rating? Contact your local council or the SA Country Fire Service for a site assessment. Stan Bond SA can then supply and install the appropriate Crimsafe fire attenuation configuration for your specific BAL level and opening type. Request a free measure and quote.
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