Ballarat Soil Testing

Ballarat Soil Testing is able to provide clients with:

• Soil classifications
• Land capability assessments
• Bushfire attack level reports
• Contour & feature surveys
• Wind speed classifications
• Preliminary contamination assessments

About

Founded in 2006, Ballarat Soil Testing has supplied soil testing and environmental services for its valued clients in the Ballarat region and throughout Western and Central Victoria.

We take pride in our reputation for providing fast and reliable service, and are dedicated to helping guide our clients through the soil investigation and site inspection process.

Ballarat Soil Testing have consulted to land developers, structural engineers, builders, owner builders, architects, municipal councils and local Government agencies in residential, commercial and industrial projects.

We are a member of The Foundations and Footings Society (Vic.) and the Housing Engineering Design & Research Association (HEDRA) and have full Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance for additional peace of mind.

Using dedicated trailer-mounted soil sampling equipment, we are geologists who know the ground.

Soil Classification

• This is a site investigation, pertaining to footings of proposed residential buildings, which provide sufficient information to enable a site classification to be made in accordance with all relevant clauses in AS2870-2011.

Information is included on the presence and depth of fill material, natural soil profile and soil reactivity where required.

Land Capability Assessments

• This document provides a detailed LCA for the allotment, information about the site and soil conditions along with monitoring and management recommendations.

The report is written to comply with all relevant and current Victorian legislation, guidelines, codes and standards, including:

• AS/NZS 1547:2012, Onsite domestic wastewater management;
• AS/NZS 1547:1994, Onsite domestic wastewater management;
• Code of Practice Onsite Wastewater Management, Publication No. 891.3, February 2013, Environmental Protection Authority;
• Land Capability Assessment for Onsite Domestic Wastewater Management, Publication 746.1, March 2003, EPA Victoria;
• Victorian Land Capability Assessment Framework, January 2014, Municipal Association of Victoria.

Preliminary Contamination Assessments

It is a requirement of council to have the site assessed for potential soil contamination.

A preliminary site investigation is where information is collected and an assessment of information is derived from records of its previous use (preliminary study) and a site inspection, usually with limited sampling.

Samples may need to be analysed in a laboratory, usually for heavy metal contamination.

The preliminary site investigation is to provide sufficient information to determine:

• Whether there has been potentially contaminating land use;
• The nature of probable contaminants;
• The possible locations of contamination; and
• The nature of the contamination.

Bushfire Attack Level Reports

A BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) is a means of measuring a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact, in a bushfire event. It is a basis for establishing the requirements for construction to improve protection of building elements from attack by bushfire.

The BAL takes into consideration a number of factors including the Fire Danger Index, the slope of land, types of surrounding vegetation and its proximity to any building.

There are six levels of bushfire attack under the Australian Standard 3959-2009, ranging from low to flame zone.

• BAL – Low There minor requirements that warrant specific construction requirements
• BAL – 12.5 Ember Attack
• BAL – 19 Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux between 12.5 and 19 kW mÇ
• BAL – 29 Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux between 19 and 29 kW mÇ
• BAL – 40 Increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by windborne embers together with increasing heat flux with the increased likelihood of exposure to flames
• BAL – FZ Direct exposure to flames from fire front in addition to heat flux and ember attack

Contour & Feature Surveys

Ballarat Soil Testing is able to provide the client with detailed contour & feature surveys using Topcon Hiper SR GPS survey equipment with accurate drawings supplied in both PDF and Cad file formats.

Alternatively, we offer ‘spot levels’ for your site using a laser level in order to measure the ‘fall’ of the property. This is important for drainage and sites requiring a ‘cut and fill’.

Wind Speed Classifications

Ballarat Soil Testing is able to provide you with a Wind Speed Classification for your property in order to comply with the requirements of AS/NZS1170.2:2011 and classified in accordance with the wind classifications allocated in AS4055:2012.

Cracked and Damaged Building Investigations

The purpose of the site investigation is to provide a classification of damage due to foundation movements with reference to walls and concrete floors in accordance with all relevant clauses in AS2870-2011.

Information is to be included on the presence and depth of fill material, natural soil profile and soil reactivity where required.