Essential Safety Measures
When the construction of a building is complete, the building owner is responsible for its upkeep and maintenance, particularly its safety features or essential safety measures. The maintenance of essential safety measures will ensure that important safety systems within the building remain at the required operational level throughout the life of the building.
The type of maintenance needed depends on the complexity of the safety measure, equipment or feature and the maintenance program required or expected at the time of installation.
Building occupiers have an obligation to ensure all exits and paths of travel to exits are kept readily accessible, functional and clear of obstructions.
Building owners must ensure that an essential safety measure is maintained so that it operates satisfactorily. A communication letter went out to Stakeholders on 1 August 2019; click the link below for a copy of the letter.
Essential Safety Measures (ESM) - How and Why to Maintain Your Compliance
Building owners must prepare an annual essential safety measures report on the buildings essential safety measures. They may authorise an agent, such as a specialist maintenance contractor, to complete the report. The annual essential safety measures report is to be in accordance with the approved form.
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. These documents must be made available to the municipal building surveyor or the chief officer on request after 24 hours' notice has been given. Annual essential safety measure reports and records of maintenance checks, safety measure and repair work must be made available for inspection on request after 24 hours' notice has been given.
A template for the preparation of the annual report is available on this site. Also available is a template prepared by the Country Fire Authority for the Fire Orders and evacuation plans required in alpine buildings.
Sample Annual Essential Safety Measures Report Template
CFA Fire Orders Template Landscape
CFA Fire Orders Template Portrait
Below is a list of Essential Safety Measures that are listed in your buildings Building Standards of Occupany Inspection Report. Notes on how to perform and who is required to complete each item is available in the table below by clicking on the link. Please check your Building Standards Report for which items are relevant to your building. This information is also available on the Victorian Building Authority website www.vba.vic.gov.au.
The Annual Essential Safety Measures Report is required to be completed as mensioned above.
LISTING OF ESSENTIAL SAFETY MEASURES
| Essential safety measure to be inspected or tested | Installation standard or level of performance | Nature of inspection or test frequency |
| Exit Signs |
BCA D1.12, E4.5, E4.6, E4.8, G4.4 |
Every six months to AS 2293-2005 |
| Emergency Lighting |
BCA E4.2, E4.4, G4.4 |
Every six months to AS 2293-2005 |
| Smoke and heat alarm system |
Clause 3 of Specification E2.2a Click here for notes on what is required Clause 4 of Spectification E2.2a (fire panel system) |
Monthly as prescribed in AS 1851-2012, Section 6 |
| Fire hose reels |
BCA E1.4 |
Every six months to AS 1851-2012, Section 14 |
| Fire extinguishers |
BCA E1.6 |
Every six months to AS 1851-2012, Section 15.4 |
| Exit doors |
BCA Section D |
Inspection every three months to ensure doors are intact, operational and fitted with conforming hardware |
| Paths of travel to an exit |
BCA D1.6 |
Inspection every three months to ensure there are no obstructions and no alterations. |
| Building elements required to satisfy prescribed fire resistance levels |
BCA Section C, D1.12 |
Annual inspection for damage, deterioration or unauthorised alteration |
| Materials and assemblies required to satisfy fire hazard properties |
BCA C1.10 |
Annual inspection for damage, deterioration or unauthorised alteration |
| Solid core doors and self-closing mechanisms |
BCA C3.11 |
Annual inspection for damage, deterioration and check operation of closers |
| Fire orders |
G4.9 |
Annual inspection to ensure warning sign is in place and legible |
| Penetrations in fire rated structures |
BCA C3.15 |
Annual inspection for damage, deterioration or unauthorised alteration |
| Signs on doors alerting people that they open inwards |
G4.9 |
Annual inspection to ensure warning sign is in place and legible |