and that existing buildings that have inherent non-compliances are audited and actioned accordingly. As legislation and standards evolve it is important that non compliances such as walking surfaces to stairs and ramps are checked to reduce claims against trips and slips. Other non-compliant risks such as handrail heights and compliant glazing to impact areas also need to be assessed especially during fit-outs or refurbishments. Slip Resistant Surfaces – The Building Code of Australia is limited in clarifying the issue of slip resistance under the deemed to satisfy provisions. The most appropriate section of the BCA to consider for new buildings or alterations is the Performance requirements under Part DP 2 of Volume 1 which states; “So that people can move safely to and within a building, it must have – (a) walking surfaces with safe gradients; and (b) any stairways and ramps with – (i) slip resistant walking surfaces on – • ramps; and • stairway treads or near the edge of the nosing;” There is also a small mention to slip resistance under part D2.10 of the BCA however this is limited to fire isolated ramps. For new buildings and building refurbishments we recommend a slip test be provided by the installing contractor for pedestrian areas identified in the above extract of the BCA.
Verification Evidence: Fire Door Installation: AS1905.1: Fire Door Inspections AUST – Essential Property Services advises hotel engineers, property managers and
occupiers of buildings relying on fire doors inspections for life safety during an emergency, e.g. a fire. Determining whether a fire door was suitable for its use is meaningless where the fire door failed and loss of life has occurred. Part of a building occupier’s protection is a requirement in AS1905.1-2005 ‘Components for the protection of openings in fire-resistant walls, Fire-resistant-doorsets’. Section 6.3 Evidence – Fire Door. Clause 6.3.1 Installation states: 6.3. EVIDENCE 6.3.1 Installation When the installation of a fire-resistant doorset in a building has been completed, the manufacturer or the certifier after fire door inspections have been performed shall provide to the building owner (or his or her representative) written evidence in the form of a numbered certificate indicating that – (a) f ire door inspections of the installation has been carried out; (b) each fire-resistant doorset is identical with the tested specimen, or, where there are variations form the tested specimen, variations are in accordance with this Standard; and (c) as far as can be ascertained during fire door inspections, the fire-resistant doorset has been installed in accordance with this standard. AS1905.1 Clause 6.3.2 also requires a fire door schedule of fire door inspections evidence with the numbered certificate and the following information to be provided in a record system and made available if required: Fire door identification number. Fire door location, Fire door type, Frame type, Nominal dimensions of the door – width, height and thickness, Fire resistance level (FRL), Facing and edging material type, Lockset and closer type, Miscellaneous items (for example, vision panels), Test
opinion reference, Date of inspection and Manufacturer or certifier. Permanent fire door inspections maintenance records for fire doors may need to be kept in accordance with AS1851.7. ‘Maintenance of fire protection equipment’, Fire-resistant doorsets, are usually provided in a fire door inspections logbook format: fire door inspections maintenance records under various state essential safety measures regulations will dictate whether this provision is a statutory function under the regulation. Some States may nominate AS 1905.1 as the ongoing Standard for compliance. We strongly suggest you keep fire door inspections records under AS 1851 to protect all parties’ interests. Most States will nominate fire doors as an essential safety measure/ essential fire safety measures, where all fire door inspections verification and maintenance will form part of the Annual Essential Safety Measures Report/ Annual Fire Safety Statement.
About the HENDRY Group Derek Hendry is the Managing Director of the HENDRY group of consulting companies that include HENDRY Building Surveying Consultants, HENDRY Disability Access Consultants, Essential Property Services and Emergency Plan. HENDRY pioneered the private certification system of building approvals in Australia, and the consultancy assists clients nationally in all facets of building control and disability access compliance, essential safety measures audits and emergency planning requirements. HENDRY publish a monthly e-newsletter entitled ‘Essential Matters” and provide a subscription service, BCA Illustrated, which provides over 3000 illustrations that interpret and explain the BCA as it applies to your building. http://www.hendrygroup.com.au
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