If you're planning a new shed, garage or carport on a property in a bushfire-prone area, you may be wondering if you need a BAL report. For many sheds the answer is no. It depends mostly on one thing: how close the shed will be to your house.

The 6 metre rule

In Tasmania, sheds, garages and carports are classed as Class 10 buildings. The bushfire rules treat them differently depending on where they go.

• More than 6 metres from your house: the shed usually does not need to meet bushfire construction standards, and you usually won't need a BAL report for it.

• Closer than 6 metres to your house: the shed is treated as part of the bushfire risk to the house. It will usually need a BAL report and must be built to the right Bushfire Attack Level.

The rule also covers sheds that are close to other sheds. If your new shed is within 6 metres of another outbuilding, and that outbuilding is within 6 metres of your house, the new shed may also need a report. Fire can travel from building to building, so a chain of sheds leading up to the house is treated as part of the risk.

Why does 6 metres matter?

A shed close to your house can catch embers and burn, and that heat and flame can then reach the house. Sheds often hold fuel, timber, mowers and other things that burn easily. Keeping them at least 6 metres away gives your house a much better chance in a bushfire.

What about attached garages and carports?

A garage or carport attached to the house is part of the house, so it is built to the same BAL as the house. If you're adding one to an existing home in a bushfire-prone area, talk to your building surveyor early. Larger additions to an existing home may also need a BAL report. Our post Do I need a BAL report to build in North East Tasmania? explains when a report is needed for a new home.

What if my shed has to be close to the house?

Sometimes the block or the layout means the shed needs to go within 6 metres. That's fine. It just means you'll need a BAL report, and the shed will need to be built to the right standard (AS 3959). Your shed supplier or builder can usually quote for a bushfire-rated version once they know the BAL.

How do I know if my property is bushfire-prone?

You can check the bushfire-prone areas map on theLIST. Open LISTmap, search your address, and turn on the bushfire-prone areas layer. You can also ask your council. Much of North East Tasmania, including large parts of Dorset, is mapped as bushfire-prone.

Do I still need a building permit?

Possibly. Whether a shed needs a permit depends on its size and use, and that is a separate question from the bushfire rules. Dorset Council's Building a Shed in Tasmania fact sheet is a good place to start, or you can check with your council's building and plumbing team.

A few tips before you build

• Place the shed at least 6 metres from the house if you can. It can save you the cost of a report and a bushfire-rated build.

• Keep the area around the shed clear of long grass, leaves and stored timber.

• Don't store fuel or firewood against the house.

• If your property already has a Bushfire Hazard Management Plan, check that the new shed doesn't sit in the way of the hazard management area or firefighting access.

Quick answers

Do I need a BAL report for a garden shed? Usually not, if it is more than 6 metres from your house and from any shed that is close to your house.

Does a carport need a BAL report? An attached carport is part of the house and is built to the house's BAL. A freestanding carport follows the same 6 metre rule as a shed.

Can I use a shipping container as a shed? Containers used for storage are usually treated like sheds, so the same 6 metre rule applies. Check with your council about permits.

Need help with your shed or extension?

We prepare BAL reports and Bushfire Hazard Management Plans across North East Tasmania, including Gladstone, Scottsdale, St Helens, George Town and Launceston. If you're not sure whether your shed needs a report, email us and we'll let you know. If you'd like to know what to expect on the day, read What happens at a BAL site visit (and how to get ready).