The complexity of fire safety in commercial properties continues to mount, with the deadline for commercial property owners to comply with the fire maintenance regulations of Australian Standard 1851 looming.
Effective February 2025, commercial building owners must apply mandatory procedures for maintaining fire safety measures.
The final tranche in a raft of fire safety reforms introduced in 2022, to make buildings safer and increase compliance with fire safety measures, from 13 February 2025, owners must use an accredited person(s) to certify newly installed fire safety measures before issuing a fire safety certificate and include relevant information about that accredited person in the fire safety certificate.
Commercial building owners must also maintain essential fire safety measures in accordance with procedures in the Australian Standard 1851-2012 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment.
What does compliance with AS1851 mean for commercial property owners.
AS1851 provides clearly defined and rigorous inspection and testing requirements for all elements of fire protection systems. This includes items elements such as, fire detection, early occupant warning, alarm systems, sprinkler systems, fire hydrants, exit and emergency lights, paths of travel and emergency plans. It also encompasses previously much overlooked fire protection elements such as passive fire and penetration management.
“It is important to recognise” says MMJ’s Facilities Lead, Julianne Little, “that these maintenance standards have been addressed to best ensure the fire systems in a building are operating optimally and are ready to respond effectively in case of emergencies. We all hope to never need the systems in place, but we must ensure they are provided and maintained correctly to ensure the safety of building occupants”.
“The costs for some owners will be greater”, says Head of Asset Management, Tracy Preston, “however, having a clear point of reference to the relevant maintenance standards in AS1851, now helps owners and managers to ensure that contractors and tenants are complying with the relevant requirements”.
“We have been working with our contractors to prepare for these changes” says Julianne “and the education we are undertaking is invaluable in protecting our clients from risk not only of physical harm to property and people, but to the validity of insurance policies and the ability to minimise insurance costs. For example, AS1851 requires monthly visual checking of exhaust hoods in tenancies. In response, MMJ have prepared a system for tenant compliance checks to meet the requirements of this standard. Without such action, commercial property owners may find it difficult to avoid hefty insurance premiums when it comes time for their insurance renewals”
Implications for Property Owners
To prepare for these changes, property owners are advised to:
- Review Existing Systems: Assess current fire protection systems and their maintenance records to identify any gaps or areas needing immediate attention.
- Consult with Experts: Engage with qualified fire safety professionals who are well-versed in the updated AS1851 requirements. They can provide guidance on compliance strategies and help implement necessary changes.
- Update Maintenance Contracts: Review existing maintenance contracts with service providers to ensure they align with the new AS1851 requirements.
- Educate Tenants: Inform relevant personnel about the updated standards and their implications. This includes tenants who may need to cooperate during inspection and testing periods and potentially invest in changes within their own practices, procedures and systems.