With the release of the Building Regulations 2006 it is now a requirement for all public buildings to have an annual essential safety measures report prepared before 13 June 2009.

There is also an additional requirement for buildings constructed prior to 1994 to be issued with an essential safety measures schedule. After this date, all new buildings will have an essential safety measures list as a schedule to their Occupancy Permit. Stokes Perna can assist in the preparation of all annual safety measures schedules and reports. 

When the construction of a building is complete, the owner of the building is responsible by law for its maintenance, in particular the building’s safety features or Essential safety measures (ESM). ESM installed in your building may include, but not limited to sprinkler systems, fire hose reels, fire detectors and alarms, fire doors and penetrations in fire rated materials.

Why are Essential safety measures maintained?

The upkeep of ESM will ensure that the safety systems which deal mainly with fire situations within the building remain at the required operational level throughout the life of the building. The type of maintenance depends on the complexity of the service and the piece of equipment or feature.

How is the maintenance administered?

The maintenance requirements for ESM are administered under the Building Regulations 2006 in Victoria. This legislation requires that the ESM installed into a building are maintained routinely by the building owner (to the relevant Australian Standard), reviewed annually and certified in the prescribed format.

How is compliance achieved?

Certification is achieved by consideration and assessment on the testing documentation in accordance with the relevant ESM maintenance standard. Procedures are reviewed and scrutinised for all testing undertaken through the previous 12 months. In Victoria, compliance is reached with the issue of the "annual essential safety measures report" in accordance with clause 1208 of the Building Regulations 2006.

How is compliance enforced?

Compliance is enforced with an inspection carried out of the facility by a member of the fire brigade, council or building enforcement officer. Failure to comply is a breach of the Building Regulations and may result in penalties being imposed of up to $10,000 for individuals and $50,000 for companies per breach. More importantly, non-compliance could place not only building occupants’ lives at risk, but also those in adjoining buildings and passers-by.

How can Stokes Perna help?

Stokes Perna is highly experienced in this field, having both inspected and consulted in this field since the inception of the regulations. Stokes Perna can identify, audit and review the requirements for the ESM installed in a nominated building, and also implement maintenance procedures to ensure compliance.

Stokes Perna is capable to provide the required certification for the ESM satisfying the owners obligation under the states regulations. Stokes Perna is more then happy to talk to you about this topic or even run a seminar of briefing session.

How can FM Innovations help?

FM Innovations have designed the WSMenterprise software to help track, plan and manage all your Essential Safety Measures as well as you Environmentally Sustainable Developments.  FMI's Works Management Module (FM-Work) has been developed to not only manage your planned ESM and ESD requirements but also the day-to-day maintenance management jobs at your site(s).

Do you know?

Which Essential Safety Measures certificate is required?

What maintenance standard is required?

Please contact FM Innovations for further information.