Regulation 48A of this document requires that the owner of an existing building that is Class 2 to Class 9 building must ensure that the safety measures in each part of the building are capable of performing to a standard set out in the relevant building standards for the part and the mechanical ventilation, hot water, warm water and cooling water systems are adequately maintained to safeguard people from illness or injury and the building’s services in each part of the building continue to perform to a standard of energy efficiency that is equal to or greater than the standard in the relevant building standards for the part.

Safety measures are defined as follows:

1. building fire integrity;
2. means of egress;
3. signs;
4. lighting;
5. fire fighting services and equipment;
6. air handing systems;
7. automatic fire detection and alarm;
8. occupant warning systems;
9. lifts;
10. standby power supply systems;
11. building clearance and fire appliances;
12. glazed assemblies, balconies, balustrades, refrigerated chambers, strong rooms, vaults;
13. bushfire protection measures;
14. building use and application.

To identify which safety measures that need to be maintained in your specific building you will need the building approval records, specifically the “Certificate of Design Compliance” document which contain details of the relevant building standards. Building records should be retained by the owner. If these documents have been misplaced, the owner can request archived information on building approvals from the relevant permit authority (local government, shire, or council).

The Department of Fire & Emergency Services has put out a statement whereby they have recommended that Australian Standard (AS) 1851 Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment be used as the standard for all new and existing fire safety systems be maintained to for compliance. 

Building owners should ensure proper due diligence is performed before appointing any fire safety practitioner. Only competent fire safety system installers and maintenance contractors should be used.

Routine servicing and any rectification or repair maintenance should be carried out by competent personnel with relevant skills, experience and training.

Non-compliance may result in a fine of $5,000 and place occupants and other users of the building in risk of their life and safety. 

We assist building owners and agents in achieving compliance with the complex and ever-changing safety measures legislation in the State of Western Australia by ensuring that each installed safety measure is identified, and an appropriately qualified maintenance practitioner is engaged to carry out the required ongoing routine servicing under AS1851-2012.

This will ensure the maintenance of all Safety Measures are maintained by appropriately qualified personal ensure the risk, health and safety is minimised ensuring all stakeholders are protected.