What do I need to do to make my building compliant with the Australian Standards?

Follow the relevant sections of the AS 3959 that are applicable to your buildings BAL rating. The table below (AS 3959 Table 3.1) shows which sections of the Standard that the build shall comply with: Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Description Section from AS 3959: 2018 Construction section Low Insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements Section 4 12.5 Ember attack Section 3 & 5 19 Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux Section 3 & 6 29 Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux Section 3 & 7 40 Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux with the increased likelihood of direct contact with flame Section 3 & 8 FZ Direct exposure to flames from fire front in addition to heat flux and ember attack Section 3 & 9

Does SSWM Bushfire Mesh meet the Australian Standards for Vents and Openings?

Yes, SSWM has four (4) stainless steel woven mesh products that comply to AS 3959. These are: Flexi – aperture of 1.23mm and wire diameter of 0.18mm Tough – aperture of 1.67mm and wire diameter of 0.45mm Extreme – aperture of 1.51mm and wire diameter of 0.8mm Ultimate – aperture of 1.64mm and wire diameter of 0.9mm We state that our Bushfire Mesh exceeds the AS 3959 requirements because we have done performance testing at the University of Southern Queensland. We can show that a mesh with an aperture of 1.67mm will reduce 98.5% of all embers passing. We know that using a mesh with a 2mm aperture is less effective.

What are the three (3) threats from Bushfire?

The three threats and the % of are: Ember Attack – Small burning combustible material that are transported by the wind Radiant Heat – The heat generated from a fire that is transferred using radiation waves Direct Flame – The heat generated through conduction of a flame to an object

Which specification is right for my application?

SSWM Product Selection Guide & Planning Guide are great resources and tools to select the most appropriate mesh for your application. A customer will need to consult and confirm with their local fire authority or Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) Accredited Practitioner and contact your local council to ensure that you are meeting all the building and AS3959-2018 requirements. Remember Bushfire Mesh is a part of the total solution.

Why SSWM Bushfire Mesh?

It is manufactured to ISO 9000 Quality Standards It is strong and can keep animals and insects out of protected spaces Available in black powder coated finish and blends into the environment Provides a privacy feature when installed Supplied with additional wires, top and bottom to make securing easy Has been independently tested and passas all the Australian Standards (AS 3959) Meets the Respective Australian Building Codes Meets the Highest Bushfire Attack Level BAL-FZ requirements Class A rated product per UL 723 / ASTM E84

When there is no fire situation: The Bushfire Mesh (woven mesh) allows airflow and will allow areas that get wet to dry out When there is a Fire situation: The Bushfire Mesh (woven mesh) allows airflow and the mesh acts as a filter that “knocks out” embers as they are carried by the winds Solid metal barriers deflect the wind up and over the fence leaving the ember in the wind allowing the ember to enter the defendable space Solid fences require large footings as they are subject to the full force of the wind Woven Mesh is strong and it keeps its shape

Why Stainless Steel vs Aluminium or Galvanised?

Stainless steel has a high melting point and the research states that the protection should be able to withstand 900+ degrees C where as aluminium Melts at 700 Degrees C Stainless steel is non corrosive and low maintenance where as galvanised steel loses its non corrosive protection over time Stainless steel is non combustible and will not increase your building fire load Stainless steel can reflect Radiant heat resulting in a lower temperature on the non fire side. This lower temperature will reduce the likelihood of fire continuing beyond the barrier

What are the requirements for AS 3959?

To cover any gap that is greater than 3mm with a product that is: Non combustible Non-corrosive Opening size less than 2mm

Industrial / Agriculture

Bushfire Protection Mesh

BUSHFIRE MESH RANGE

As Australia’s leading stockist of Bushfire Mesh, we’re proud to be working with the commercial and agri sector to continue their investment in bushfire protection for buildings and critical infrastructure. Often located in isolated and high risk bushfire prone areas our commercial partners have been using Bushfire Mesh Shield to create defensible spaces around their critical assets, significantly reducing the risk of ember attack. Firefighting resources will be deployed to protect people and having Bushfire Mesh Shield installed will ensure the continuity of these commercial operations. Protecting power and telecommunication infrastructure during bushfires is critical and will save lives.

SSWM Bushfire Mesh Ember Stop range has been independently verified by CSIRO and meets the physical properties of AS3959- 2018:

STAINLESS STEEL SHIELD BUSHFIRE MESH

Reflect, absorb and diffuse with Bushfire Mesh Shield – protection against ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame.

SSWOB 01230

Malleable SOFT

SSWOB 01670
SSWO 01670

Self Supporting FLEXIBLE

SSWOBS 01510

Self Supporting RIGID

SSWOB 01640

Self Supporting RIGID

SSWM Bushfire Mesh Range is designed to suit any application, from soft to rigid, wide to narrow.

Same Day Despatch

Freight friendly rolls quickly despatched to rural areas

Quality Assured & Tested

98.5% of embers that pass Bushfire Mesh are no longer a threat

Easy Installation

No specialty skills or tools are required

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE YOUR CRITICAL ASSETS
TO BE MORE RESILENT TO BUSHFIRES IN AUSTRALIA?

One of the key ways you can prepare your critical infrastructure is by installing Bushfire Mesh Shield to create a barrier around your commercial building. The Shield is a passive barrier that provides separation from the asset and the ignition source, protecting against the three threats of Bushfire.

THE 8 WAYS YOU CAN PREPARE YOUR WORKPLACE FOR BUSHFIRES

FLEXI

TOUGH

EXTREME

Vents & Weepholes

Openings larger than 2mm should be sealed with Bushfire Mesh to catch, hold and release embers from entering building space.

FLEXI

TOUGH

EXTREME

Screens for Windows & Doors

External windows and doors should be fitted with Bushfire Mesh screens to reflect and absorb radiant heat. This will stop glass from cracking and falling out and allowing embers into the building.

FLEXI

TOUGH

EXTREME

Roofs & Walls

Bushfire Mesh should be used to seal off ventilation openings greater than 2mm to stop dangerous embers reaching the roof space.

FLEXI

TOUGH

EXTREME

Roof Penetration (Evaporative air cooling system)

Should be fitted with Bushfire Mesh covers with max. aperture of 2mm to stop embers from entering the building.

FLEXI

TOUGH

EXTREME

Louvres

Install a mesh that can keep birds and embers out of your workplace by using Bushfire Mesh. This product still allows sufficient airflow without transporting dangerous embers.

FLEXI

TOUGH

EXTREME

Subfloor Spaces Verandahs & Decks

Install screens to prevent combustible material building up under the decks and for embers to enter the area. Screens can be dug into the ground and will not corrode as it is 316 stainless steel.

FLEXI

TOUGH

EXTREME

Gutter & Valley Leaf Guard

Install Bushfire Mesh guards to stop leaves and debris collecting in gutters and becoming a fuel source for embers.

FLEXI

TOUGH

EXTREME

Perimeter Fence

Install Bushfire Mesh around boundaries. Bushfire mesh will act as an ember shield and flame arrestor and deflect flames. This then becomes your first line of defense during a bushfire.

White Paper

* A systematic and quantitative approach through barrier thinking and risk reduction to manage the risks of asset destruction caused by bushfires

* It addresses the following four (4) parts: prevention, preparation, response & recovery and puts the building at the centre of the efforts

* Change the current response form reactive to proactive
* With adaptation and more resources, the cost of recovery for the community and individuals will decrease

We look at the risks 80% embers, 10% radiant heat and 10% direct flame and agree to tackle the greatest risk first. Testing has demonstrated that Bushfire Mesh is effective against the 3 threats of fire.

The new approach is helping us quantify that by installing barriers they act as shields on our homes and assets and can significantly reduce the risk of the 3 threats of fire.

PROJECTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Western Australia

Mining Site

Projects Across Australia MINING SITE WESTERN AUSTRALIA A mining site in Western Australia that came…

Woodend Victoria

Country Retreat

Projects Across Australia COUNTRY RETREAT FOR OVER 50s WOODEND VICTORIA A country retreat located in…

Hesket, Victoria

Rural Home

Projects Across Australia The subfloor space while closed has large gaps between the horizontal timbers…

Gippsland, Victoria

Rural Home

Projects Across Australia The owners were proactive and wanted to protect their home from bushfire…

Woodend Victoria

Rural Home

Projects Across Australia A modern home in a picturesque rural setting with many sheds and…

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE CUSTOMER BASE

From large companies, small family business to individuals. We also supply a huge range of industries.

COMPLIMENTARY PRODUCT CONSULTATION

Speak with a product expert regarding your project

SAME DAY DESPATCH
when your order is received
by 9am for Australia wide delivery

There are Bushfire consultants and Fire Engineers that can be called upon to seek advice. These people are qualified to be able to support you in your design and construction of your building that will ensure you meet the requirements of the Australian Standards. In some cases, they are able to “sign off” on your design and construction to meet your planning and building requirements.

Follow the relevant sections of the AS 3959 that are applicable to your buildings BAL rating. The table below (AS 3959 Table 3.1) shows which sections of the Standard that the build shall comply with:

Bushfire Attack Level (BAL)	Description	Section from AS 3959: 2018 Construction section
Low	Insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements	Section 4
12.5	Ember attack	Section 3 & 5
19	Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux	Section 3 & 6
29	Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux	Section 3 & 7
40	Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux with the increased likelihood of direct contact with flame	Section 3 & 8
FZ	Direct exposure to flames from fire front in addition to heat flux and ember attack	Section 3 & 9

No. Because buildings come in many different shapes and forms it is difficult to provide off the shelf protection for different openings. SSWM Bushfire Mesh allows you to design your own fixings based on your building requirements and can share with you other building’s solutions via YouTube videos. You will need to make sure that what you install meets the requirements of the Australian Standards construction section. Some of these requirements ask for metal fixings and as the BAL rating increases, certain materials can’t be used for frames. Window and Door fabricators work with our products and can provide you with a frame and fixing solution that meets these standards.

Yes, we have a different product that can be used in all of the BAL ratings from Low to Flame Zone. SSWM understands that people are looking for a solution that is “fit for purpose” which is why we suggest different products due to the different intensity of the BAL. The below table explains this:

BAL Rating	Low	12.5	19	29	40	Flame Zone (FZ)
SSWM Suitable Product	Flexi	Flexi	Tough	Tough	Extreme & Ultimate	Extreme & Ultimate

Yes, SSWM has four (4) stainless steel woven mesh products that comply to AS 3959. These are:

Flexi – aperture of 1.23mm and wire diameter of 0.18mm
Tough – aperture of 1.67mm and wire diameter of 0.45mm
Extreme – aperture of 1.51mm and wire diameter of 0.8mm
Ultimate – aperture of 1.64mm and wire diameter of 0.9mm

We state that our Bushfire Mesh exceeds the AS 3959 requirements because we have done performance testing at the University of Southern Queensland. We can show that a mesh with an aperture of 1.67mm will reduce 98.5% of all embers passing. We know that using a mesh with a 2mm aperture is less effective.

The standard states for vents and openings (section 3.6) that a mesh with an aperture of 2mm or less made from a non-corrosive metal is required. This requirement is for all BAL ratings.

AS 3959 requires buildings to meet certain construction standards to improve their resilience to Bushfires. AS 3959 states the criteria for the different BAL’s that shall be achieved. AS 3959 considers proactive barries to prevent bushfire ignition and reactive barries to reduce the consequence of bushfire ignition. As the BAL rating increases so do the requirements to protect the building.

It is a rating or Risk Assessment that has been determined from Australian Standard 3959 to determine the risk of a fire in a specific location. It takes into consideration several factors including:

Fire danger index of the region
The vegetation classification
The distance from the building to the fuel load
The slope of the area

The three threats and the % of are:

Ember Attack – Small burning combustible material that are transported by the wind
Radiant Heat – The heat generated from a fire that is transferred using radiation waves
Direct Flame – The heat generated through conduction of a flame to an object

SSWM Product Selection Guide & Planning Guide are great resources and tools to select the most appropriate mesh for your application. A customer will need to consult and confirm with their local fire authority or Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) Accredited Practitioner and contact your local council to ensure that you are meeting all the building and AS3959-2018 requirements. Remember Bushfire Mesh is a part of the total solution.

It is manufactured to ISO 9000 Quality Standards
It is strong and can keep animals and insects out of protected spaces
Available in black powder coated finish and blends into the environment
Provides a privacy feature when installed
Supplied with additional wires, top and bottom to make securing easy
Has been independently tested and passas all the Australian Standards (AS 3959)
Meets the Respective Australian Building Codes
Meets the Highest Bushfire Attack Level BAL-FZ requirements
Class A rated product per UL 723 / ASTM E84

When there is no fire situation: The Bushfire Mesh (woven mesh) allows airflow and will allow areas that get wet to dry out
When there is a Fire situation: The Bushfire Mesh (woven mesh) allows airflow and the mesh acts as a filter that “knocks out” embers as they are carried by the winds
Solid metal barriers deflect the wind up and over the fence leaving the ember in the wind allowing the ember to enter the defendable space
Solid fences require large footings as they are subject to the full force of the wind
Woven Mesh is strong and it keeps its shape

Stainless steel has a high melting point and the research states that the protection should be able to withstand 900+ degrees C where as aluminium Melts at 700 Degrees C
Stainless steel is non corrosive and low maintenance where as galvanised steel loses its non corrosive protection over time
Stainless steel is non combustible and will not increase your building fire load
Stainless steel can reflect Radiant heat resulting in a lower temperature on the non fire side. This lower temperature will reduce the likelihood of fire continuing beyond the barrier

To cover any gap that is greater than 3mm with a product that is:

Non combustible
Non-corrosive
Opening size less than 2mm

Our showroom and dispatch operate from 8:30am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. We are closed on weekends and public holidays.

Yes, we welcome visitors! Please prearrange your visit so we can assist you without interruption and ensure the right team member is available.

We accept payment via EWAY or direct deposit (EFT). For security reasons, we do not accept credit card details over the phone.

Absolutely. You’re welcome to arrange your own freight provider. Please notify us in advance so we can coordinate pickup and documentation.

Orders received before 9:00am are dispatched same day. Orders received after 9:00am will be dispatched the next business day.

Yes. Once your order is dispatched, we’ll send you a tracking link or consignment number via email.

We have a technical datasheet for each product:

These include a to scale image, specifications, dimensions and weights. These are found on the website product page under the “PRODUCT SPECIFICATION” tab. We also include a link to the relevant datasheet in all quotes, proformas and invoices.

We stock pre-cut rolls in 15 metre and 30 metre lengths.

Yes. We offer volume-based pricing and trade discounts for approved resellers and commercial customers. Contact us for a quote.

Yes. Pickup is available from our Tullamarine, VIC or Sunnybank Hills, QLD warehouse. Please confirm your pickup time so we can have your order ready.

Bushfire Mesh is supplied as a DIY or contractor-installed product. We do not offer installation services but can recommend experienced installers in your area and you can refer to our SSWM Bushfire Mesh DIY Guide.