Premium Protection

Established in 1989, Sydney-based Blockout Industries – also known as Blockout Shutters, has a solid track record in bushfire protection, recently adding to its offering, with its new Fireblock BAL-FZ Bushfire Roller Shutter – designed to provide the highest Bushfire Attack Level BAL-FZ (Flame Zone) protection.

Bushfire Shutters Business Development Manager Antony Hudson tells WFA the company has leveraged its 30 years of manufacturing in Australia to develop roller shutters that withstand harsh conditions, safeguarding homes and families against extreme weather, bushfires, intruders, light and noise.

“We design and manufacture steel and aluminium roller shutters for commercial and domestic markets, covering a complete range including our trademarked Orignal Blockout, Maxiblock, Extruded Maxiblock Maxiview for glass windows and roofs.

“Our new Fireblock BAL-FZ Bushfire Roller Shutter offers the highest Bushfire Attack Level BAL-FZ (Flame Zone). Australian developed, engineered and manufactured, the Fireblock Bushfire Shutters are scientifically tested by CSIRO Fire Technology Laboratories a NATA Accredited Testing Laboratory, according to Australian Standard AS1530.8.2-2018, meeting the required Australian Standard for Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas BAL-FZ Australian Standard AS3959-2018 SECTIONS 3.7 & 9.5.1.’

“BAL ratings relate to the anticipated Bushfire Attack Level for a particular site, with

BAL-FZ (Flame Zone), the most extreme exposure to bushfire. BAL-40 is the second highest level, keeping in mind that BAL-FZ is over double the heat exposure to that of BAL-40.

Hudson explains that Flame Zone assessed building or renovation sites can only be fitted with products scientifically tested to the Flame zone standard.

“Using our Fireblock shutter tested to the flame zone standard ensures that your home has the best possible asset protection against a bushfire.

“The Fireblock Bushfire Roller Shutter uses hard wearing painted interlocking steel slat profile with foam polyurethane core, steel pelmet covers and steel tracks. Aluminium cannot be used in BAL-FZ roller shutters as it will melt & fail at 660.3 degree C. The Fireblock Bushfire shutter was subjected to over 800 degree C during the test at the CSIRO.”

Fireblock offers a number of key features:

Positioned as “the ultimate in Australian bushfire protection,” it is tested to Australian Standard AS1530.8.2-2018 by the CSIRO with aluminium window and standard 6mm toughened glass.

Its steel construction is developed by the company’s Australian team of designers and engineers, with over 30 years combined roller shutter experience.

It offers easy electric operation via wall switch or remote, including failsafe override operation from within the house in the case of power outage.

It has a multi-purpose, practical design that can be used every day all year round. Users can partially or fully open / close a blockout shutter to control the comfort within the home.

Building in a bushfire prone area

“If you’re thinking of extending an existing home or building a new home, one of the many things you will need to check is whether the land is in a bushfire prone area,” says Hudson. “Bushfire Prone Area means land with the presence of bushfire-prone vegetation.”

There are three main areas of concern for homes in a bushfire prone area:

Ember Attack: Burning or smouldering leaves, twigs and debris landing near or on the home blown by winds.’

Radiant Heat: Ignition of surfaces on the home, via radiant heat without flame contact.

Flame Contact: Direct contact with bushfire flames. This area has highest BAL ratings BAL-40 or BAL-FZ

“If your property does fall into a bushfire prone area, we can help with our BAL-FZ or BAL-40 bushfire window roller shutter. (BAL is short for Bushfire Attack Level),” says Hudson.

How do bushfire window roller shutters work?

“Windows are one of the weakest points for entry during a bushfire. Unprotected windows can crack and explode from the radiant heat. Window curtains and blinds inside the room can ignite and burst into flames. Strong winds can pick up debris and smash the window glass, with embers able to enter the room.

“The Fireblock bushfire window roller shutter has been tested to BAL-FZ Flame Zone. Our Fireblock shutter is made of a double walled steel shutter curtain, which helps protect the window and glass from radiant heat and flying debris and embers, preventing the fire from penetrating the room.

Bushfire shutters are operated from inside the room, either via manual or electric control. Motorised electric bushfire shutters come with a fail-safe manual override function in case of power loss. Electric shutters can be remote operated individually or as a group via wireless remote, even automatically via internal smoke sensor.

Other benefits 

“Just like all of our window roller shutters the bushfire shutter can be used every day,” says Hudson. “They provide benefits including security; sun and weather protection, energy saving, noise reduction, privacy and natural light control, bushfire protection, climate control and home value.”