As a building owner, manager or body corporate, there are numerous compliance regulations that fall under your responsibility when it comes to the safety of your residents, contractors and employees.
In most cases, heavy penalties will apply if there is a serious injury or death on your property due to your building failing to meet compliance regulations.
Here are 5 compliance documents you should be aware of –
1. Fire and Evacuation Plan
All buildings require a formal Fire and Evacuation Plan developed under the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008. The plan must always be kept onsite, and your wardens and evacuation team must be familiar with the process should a fire arise.
Additionally, your fire and evacuation signs must be displayed prominently in all common areas and short-term letting units. They must also be reviewed every five years or after any major change to the building.
2. Occupiers Statement
An Occupiers Statement confirms that your building’s prescribed fire safety installations have been maintained in accordance with the relevant maintenance standards.
The Statement must be signed by a representative of the body corporate, such as an occupier or committee member, and a copy sent annually to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. Copies must also be kept both onsite and offsite.
Other fire records need to be kept onsite and offsite, and readily available for QFES inspection, including:
- Training records
- Evacuation practice record
- Records of maintenance of all fire assets
- Certificate of classification
3. Asbestos Register
If your building was constructed on or prior to 31 December 1989, you may be required to maintain an asbestos register. The register should clearly indicate the location of the asbestos and detail your Asbestos Management Plan. You can find out more about obtaining an asbestos register here.
4. WH&S Compliance Plan
The ABMA Building Management Code (Australian Building Management Accreditation) states that the Body Corporate WHS Plan must be reviewed at least annually to ensure compliance. The review must include a reflection upon the adequacy and relevance of the WHS Plan throughout the past year.
The Plan must be reviewed and adequately updated if a Notifiable Incident occurs during the year, such as a serious slip or fall injury, or there is any “change to the workplace”. The latter may consist of:
- Alterations to common property
- Change of Committee or Nominated Representative of the Committee
- Change of building manager
- Any adverse event occurring on the common property (e.g. flood, storm, machinery breakdown, security breach).
Ensure your WH&S compliance is covered for slip and fall injuries with our non-slip surfacing treatments.
5. Certificates of Compliance
Under certain State and Council requirements, as well as Schedule 5 (Part 2) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, you need to have the following certifications for your building:
- Lifts, escalators and moving walkways
- Stairwell pressurisation
- Certain boilers and pressure vessel components
- Residential current devices
- Backflow prevention devices
If you are unsure if your building meets these standards, contact our Facilities Management team today on 1800 26 26 37 or at helpdesk@cmbm.com.au.
