Fire Safety - Understanding Your Responsibilities and Management Options
Building owners, managers and occupants have a legal responsibility to ensure that the work environment and/or premises made accessible to the public, are operated and maintained in a safe manner. This includes the appropriate provision and maintenance of fire safety systems, commonly referred to as Essential (Fire) Safety Measures.
Essential Safety Measures include:
- Fire detection and suppression systems such as smoke/heat detectors, fire sprinklers, hydrants, hose reels, and extinguishers
- Electrical fittings such as emergency and exit lighting, emergency power supply and occupant warning systems
- Air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems
- Paths of egress, exit doors and evacuation procedures
Ongoing testing and maintenance of Essential Safety Measures are prescribed to different degrees by the Building Code of Australia (BCA), various state based regulations and Australian Standards
The basic philosophy behind Essential Safety Measure compliance is:
- Understand and document what Essential Safety Measures are currently in your building(s), and what is required to be there;
- Ensure that the Essential Safety Measures are tested and maintained as per regulatory requirements providing confidence that they will operate appropriately when required;
- Prepare, maintain and make available when requested, documentation that demonstrates the Essential Safety Measures have been maintained appropriately, e.g. Annual Fire Safety Statements / Reports; and
- Understand at what stages of the compliance process that specialist services providers can best assist you in meeting your objectives.
Why Macutex?
Macutex Pty Ltd has a strong working knowledge of Essential Safety Measure regulations; structured processes and systems to ensure ongoing compliance; and the challenges faced by organizations in meeting their responsibilities. This is based on relevant industry experience of our management and technical staff over the last 20 years and ongoing Essential Safety Measure management and compliance services to clients nationally, including to local, state and federal government bodies.
Macutex provides independent compliance management support services and is not in the business of selling, implementing and/or maintaining fire safety equipment. We also believe that being fully informed and keeping it simple is the best approach.
Our Approach and Support Services
- Preliminary workshop and discussions to provide information relevant to your specific situation, ascertain the status of your current management practice, and identify areas for improvement.
- Undertake a baseline survey and compliance audit onsite to identify and/or confirm the current status of Essential Safety Measures within your building(s). This includes the preparation and/or updating of an Essential Safety Measures Register and associated maintenance schedule, as well as a report detailing the areas of non-compliance and recommendations and cost estimates for rectification.
- Project management of non-compliance rectification works (if required).
- Review existing and/or assist in implementing new maintenance service contracts to ensure all Essential Safety Measures are being appropriately maintained.
- Implement document and information management systems most suitable to your business as a means of demonstrating compliance. This includes but not limited to Onsite Essential Safety Measure Manuals; Maintenance Service Provider Workorder and Maintenance Records Management; Web-based Essential Safety Measure Asset Registers and Compliance Status Reports; Onsite Emergency Procedures and Evacuation Plans; and Annual Fire Safety Statements / Reports.
- Undertake regular onsite inspections to ensure ongoing compliance, including witnessing and validating all required interface testing.
- Engage with, and facilitate the communication process with relevant stakeholders such as your local Council, Fire Commissioner, maintenance service providers, and building occupants including the preparation and submission of all relevant compliance documentation on your behalf.
Macutex’s Key Message to Owners and Managers of Property Assets is
- Ensure you understand the facts in relation to your Essential Safety Measure responsibilities;
- Ensure you understand the current status of conditions on site, the performance of your maintenance service providers, and the risks and opportunities associated with your existing management practices; and
- Establish, implement and maintain a structured process to ensure ongoing compliance.
If you require further information and/or seek a scope of work and quotation for assistance in any aspect of the compliance process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.