Preset bushfire protection measures - fire separation

Fire separation permit conditions for outbuildings less than 10 metres from a dwelling

If the outbuilding is less than 10 metres from any existing dwelling used for accommodation the following conditions must be included on the Bushfire Management Plan as part of the planning permit application. The same conditions will be included on the planning permit by the responsible authority. Subsequent building approval must be in accordance with the planning permit conditions and Bushfire Management Plan.

Fire separation condition

The proposed outbuilding is separated from the adjacent building by a wall that extends to the underside of a non-combustible roof covering and:

  • has a Fire Resistance Level (FRL) of not less than 60/60/60 for loadbearing walls and -/60/60 for non-load bearing walls when tested from the attached structure side, or
  • is of masonry, earth wall or masonry-veneer construction with the masonry leaf of not less than 90 millimetres in thickness.

Any openings in the wall shall be protected in accordance with the following:

i. Doorways - by FRL -/60/30 self-closing fire doors
ii. Windows - by FRL -/60/- fire windows permanently fixed in the closed position
iii. Other openings - by construction with an FRL of not less than -/60/-.

Note: Control and construction joints, subfloor vents, weepholes and penetrations for pipes and conduits need not comply with item iii.

Source: Table 7 of clause 53.02 Bushfire planning of Victorian planning schemes.

Fire Resistance Level (FRL)

The FRL is a nominal grading period, in minutes, that is determined by subjecting a building element to a standard time temperature as set out in Australian Standard 1530.4-2005 to specify - Structural adequacy/integrity/insulation - eg. 60/60/60 or -/60/30

Note: Australian Standard - Methods for tests on building materials, components and structures.

Page last updated: 07/11/22