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The free bushfire attack level (BAL) calculator on Calcs.com gives an indicative assessment. It is not a certified assessment, and it is not sufficient on its own for a building permit application. This article sets out what it is for and what a permit requires.

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What the free calculator is for

Use the free BAL calculator for indicative assessment. Typical uses include:
  • an early view of the likely BAL rating for a site
  • testing how a change in setback or slope affects the outcome
  • preparing for a conversation with a consultant or a client
It gives you a fast answer while options are still open.

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What a building permit requires

A formal BAL assessment for a building permit must be certified by a qualified bushfire consultant. The output of the free calculator does not meet that requirement, however carefully the inputs were entered. Treat the free result as preparation for the formal assessment, not a replacement for it. The consultant carries the certification, and the responsibility for the assessment stays with them.

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What a Calcs.com trial adds

A full Calcs.com trial adds the ability to save, export, and customize the calculation for formal documentation. That helps you keep a record of the assessment inside a project and present it alongside the rest of the calculation package. Saving and exporting does not change the certification position. A certified assessment by a qualified bushfire consultant is still required for the permit.

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Inputs to confirm

Whichever version you use, the result is only as good as the site information behind it. Confirm the vegetation classification, the distance to the classified vegetation, and the effective slope under the vegetation before you rely on the rating.