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These include the following Classes which are defined in A3.2 of the National Construction Code Series Volume One, Building Code of Australia Class 2–9 Buildings:
All commercial and public buildings have some form of Essential Safety Measures in the form of construction, equipment maintenance, or paths of travel to the exits.
A building's fire safety systems are called Essential Safety Measures and are integral for people's safety in commercial and public buildings in the event of an emergency.
Each building has its own unique list of Essential Safety Measure items depending on its class, size and location.
The term ‘essential safety measure’ is defined in Part 15 of the Building Regulations 2018 and includes items listed in Schedule 8 of the Regulations, such as:
The building owner is required to maintain essential safety measures so that they operate satisfactorily.
There are different obligations under the regulations, depending on when the building was built or when work occurred on the building.
The owner must also keep records of maintenance checks, safety measures and repair work so a municipal building surveyor or chief officer of the fire brigade can inspect them.
Building owners must prepare an annual essential safety measures report on the buildings essential safety measures. They may authorize an agent, such as a specialist maintenance contractor, to complete the report for them.
The below contractors may be able to help you.
These private companies do not represent Council in any way:
Each year building owners must complete an Annual Essential Safety Measures Report to show that the building's fire safety features (ESMs) have been maintained to the standards.
The annual report must be available for council or Country Fire Authority inspection.
The report must be in an approved layout.
We inspect commercial properties to ensure that building fire safety features are maintained.
Building owners are given at least 24 hours' notice before inspections.
The Victorian Building Authority has produced information to help you.
For further information refer to the Victorian Building Authority website or contact council.