We recently had an article published in Strata Look Up discussing essential fire safety practices. As the recent Docklands apartment fire highlights, fire safety is crucial, and our Strata Look Up article offers valuable insights into maintaining safety and compliance for building owners across Australia.
Incident Overview
The fire began on a private balcony due to improperly stored equipment behind an air conditioning unit. This incident emphasizes the need for good housekeeping to prevent flammable clutter and highlights the importance of regular air conditioner maintenance. However, it also points to broader safety concerns:
- Building owners are responsible for maintaining essential services, particularly within their own apartments.
- Essential services contractors, often limited to common areas, are typically not tasked with individual apartment inspections.
Regulatory Requirements
Building Regulations mandate that owners adhere to maintenance standards as outlined in their Occupancy Permit or Certificate of Final Inspection. In many cases, owners corporations contract essential services management for common areas. For example, Docklands building management likely hired a contractor for maintaining these services, but individual apartments are generally excluded from regular inspections due to access and cost challenges. Apartment owners, therefore, bear the responsibility of maintaining essential services within their units.
Recommended Practices for Owners Corporations
Owners corporations should consult with the Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS) or essential services contractors to get practical maintenance advice. An annual audit of a sample of apartments may help ensure consistent inspections over time.
Educating Apartment Owners
Apartment owners should be informed about their maintenance responsibilities and consider hiring fire safety consultants for audits if needed. While managers may regard apartment maintenance as a private issue, one neglected unit can endanger an entire building, as seen in the Docklands fire, making fire maintenance a collective responsibility for all involved.