FAQ
Western Australia
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:
- building fire integrity;
- means of egress;
- signs;
- lighting;
- fire fighting services and equipment;
- air handing systems;
- automatic fire detection and alarm;
- occupant warning systems;
- lifts;
- standby power supply systems;
- building clearance and fire appliances;
- glazed assemblies, balconies, balustrades, refrigerated chambers, strong rooms, vaults;
- bushfire protection measures;
- 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.
There isn’t a single prescribed interval for a broad “fire safety audit” that applies to every building in Western Australia. Instead, the frequency should reflect the building’s classification, the safety measures installed, its approval documentation and the inspection, testing and maintenance requirements that apply to those measures.
For existing Class 2 to Class 9 buildings, Regulation 48A of the Building Regulations 2012 requires the owner to ensure the building’s safety measures remain capable of performing to the relevant required standard. In practice, routine servicing should occur at the intervals required by the applicable standards and building documentation, while a broader compliance audit can be useful periodically and whenever there’s been a significant change to the building, its use, fire safety systems or available compliance records.
Regular audits can help identify overdue maintenance, defects, documentation gaps and other issues before they develop into larger compliance problems. If you’re unsure whether your current audit and maintenance program is keeping pace with your obligations, EBC Group can review your building’s fire safety documentation and help identify where further attention may be required.
Western Australia doesn’t use one universal annual “fire safety compliance certificate” equivalent to the annual fire safety reporting documents used in some other states. The certificate or approval required depends on the building, the type of work being undertaken and the relevant approval pathway.
Under WA’s building approvals framework, registered building surveyors may assess buildings and certify documents such as Certificates of Design Compliance, Certificates of Construction Compliance and Certificates of Building Compliance. These documents can support applications for building permits, occupancy permits or Building Approval Certificates, depending on the circumstances.
For an existing building, demonstrating ongoing fire safety compliance also means maintaining clear evidence that the applicable safety measures are being inspected, tested and maintained to the required standards. Where the approval history or compliance documentation is unclear, EBC Group can help review the available records, identify gaps and provide practical guidance on the next steps.
A fire safety assessment in Western Australia generally starts by establishing what safety measures apply to the building. This involves reviewing available building approvals and compliance documentation, identifying the systems and equipment installed on site, and confirming the standards or performance requirements they’re expected to meet.
The assessment can then examine items such as fire detection and alarm systems, fire-fighting equipment, emergency and occupant warning systems, exits, fire and smoke separation, mechanical systems and other relevant safety measures. For Class 2 to Class 9 buildings, this should be considered in the context of the owner’s obligation under Regulation 48A to keep applicable safety measures capable of performing to the required standard.
Site conditions and available maintenance records can then be checked for defects, overdue servicing, inconsistencies or missing documentation. From there, any issues can be prioritised and a practical rectification pathway established. EBC Group can assist with this process by reviewing records, assessing current compliance gaps and helping owners and managers work towards a clearer, more manageable fire safety compliance position.