Specific Requirements

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Keep evacuation routes clear of obstructions
1. Path of travel to exit from anywhere within the building to be clear
2. Keep area at final exit of building clear for 2 meters
3. Don't obstruct the exit from an adjoining building
4. Do not have doors locked that will obstruct the exit through a path of travel (fire doors to units)
5. Evacuation routes to be kept isolated
Keeping of Fire and Evacuation Plans
1. Must be developed by each occupant of the building
2. The managing entity must ensure the fire and evacuation plan takes into account the evacuation coordination procedures stated in the fire and evacuation plans for all parts of the building occupied by secondary occupiers
3. The occupier must ensure the fire and evacuation plan for the part of the building complements the evacuation coordination procedures under the fire and evacuation plan kept by the managing entity for the building
4. Ensure the fire and evacuation plan for the building is made available for inspection in the building during its normal business hours
5. Allow a person to inspect the fire and evacuation plan free of charge.
6. If any changes are made to the Fire Evacuation Plan by "any party" notice must be given within 1 month of the change
7. Must be reviewed at least annually
Evacuation sign and diagrams must be displayed
Evacuation procedures training must be given to each person at least annually
Training in the use of first response fire equipment must be given at least each 2 years
Evacuation practice must be conducted at least annually (The occupier, owner or managing agent to organise this practice)
Records must be kept for all training and evacuation practice
Records to be kept of all testing of fire equipment.
Records to be held for 2 years
Must have a Fire Safety Adviser in high occupancy building. (residential building >25m high; building with >29 workers; special buildings like budget accommodation)
All buildings must comply by 1 July 2009
Each occupier of a multi occupancy property must have Fire and Evacuation Plans
The Managing Entity must prepare Fire and Evacuation Plans from the final exit of each tenancy to the designated Assembly area
The Managing Entity must ensure all Fire and Evacuation Plans are complementary and integrated with the plans of all occupiers within the building
Example of operation of subsection (2)-
The fire and evacuation plan for a shop in a shopping centre provides for persons in the shop to assemble at a point (point ‘A') outside an exit of the shop in the general access area to await further instructions. The fire and evacuation plan kept by centre management for the shopping centre provides for evacuating persons from point ‘A'.
Fire doors to residential units:
1. This legislation also refers to the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (D2.21)
2. The requirement to have a lever handle to fire doors does not relate to the front doors of sole-occupancy residential units.
3. A deadlock can be fitted to residential unit fire doors, provided:
  1. Allows the door to self close (not a dead bolt)
  2. The lock is fire rated and complies with Australian Standard AS1905
  3. The lock is installed in accordance with Australian Standard AS1905
4. Security screen doors in front of the fire door is NOT acceptable
5. The fire door MUST have a self closer fitted and fully operational
6. The fire door MUST NOT be fixed open
Re-entry from fire-isolated exits (fire stairs) to comply with the following for buildings > 25m height
1. Doors to the fire stairs above 25m height MUST NOT be locked from the inside of the fire stairs, unless
  1. The doors are fitted with a fail-safe device to automatically open the doors in a fire; AND
  2. On at least every 4^th floor the door CAN NOT be lockable, or
  3. A communication system operates from within the fire stairs explaining the method of operation of the door