Fire Certification for Apartments

Thenarrator on 17/07/2022 - 22:29
Last edited 17/07/2022 - 22:46

im part of the owners committee for a semi new apartment (about 5y). The fire certification for last few years were certified and signed off by the fire contractor. This year, the same fire contractor suddenly found a whole heap of stuff that suddenly became non compliant.

Doors became non compliant, gaps in lifts. The whole automatic fire system is missing and needed to be designed and built from scratch. An open cheque in repair cost pretty much.

When we asked the fire contractor why werent these picked up in previous years cert. They said it was just missed and a human error and the guy who certified it left the company.

These all sounds too dodgy. Theres a huge cost simply and solely based on one's words which apparently contains huge margin of error. Things dont add up. Time is running out as we need to certify it asap. Any fire engineers and contractors here who can give advice?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • JimmyF on 17/07/2022 - 22:38

    for a semi new apartment

    How 'new'?

    This year, the same fire contractor suddenly found a whole heap of stuff that suddenly became non compliant.

    If its not that old, then shouldn't be on the builder to fix?

    • Thenarrator on 17/07/2022 - 22:46

      about 5y old.

      • JimmyF on 18/07/2022 - 09:10
        +1

        If the building wasn't compliant at the time it was built, then head back to the builder ask request they fix it. But also get a 2nd inspection/report to confirm first.

  • oscargamer on 17/07/2022 - 22:52
    +1

    Get a second or third inspection.

  • Stewardo on 17/07/2022 - 23:00

    Imagine the tabloid newspapers headlines, “Towering Inferno”. “complex in breach for months”, survivors said.

    How many years are left on the warranty?
    A replacement emergency fire warning system seems like a major fault, 6 years. NSW

  • jug123 on 17/07/2022 - 23:05

    we had similar problems. Went to another company and they found different issues. The whole thing is a rort. Unfortunately youre screwed as u need youre complex to have a fire safety certificate. Find another company to do the checks then get the work done of whomever finds the least issues at the lower cost.

    • Thenarrator on 17/07/2022 - 23:19

      this is exactly what im predicting. thats shit. like the whole things almost a scam. arent fire contractors meant to have some sort of credibility/liability in their certs.

      • Stewardo on 17/07/2022 - 23:24

        Is this the same building with the unsolvable water leak, broken appliances, and a special levy on the strata after the first year?

    • JimmyF on 18/07/2022 - 09:15
      +1

      we had similar problems. Went to another company and they found different issues.

      The problem is the rules are up to the interpretation of the inspector, who might have a bit more give and take for the rules compared to others.

      I'm guessing that the company the OP had been using, has recently been caught out being too relaxed with the rules. Hence why the old inspector that passed all this stuff is gone and now they are going over it with a fine tooth comb.

    • Thenarrator on 18/07/2022 - 10:50

      can we sue the original fire contractor for having 'accidently' & 'incorrectly' certified that it is compliant a few years back.

  • Hybroid on 17/07/2022 - 23:32

    Only valid reason I can think of, aside from incompetence, is that the Building Code of Australia regulations were updated in 2021 and may have new clauses added that make the building not meet code now but it may well have passed fine when it was built 5 years ago. Not sure where the liability for that sits though. I would get a couple more opinions from other professionals.

    • brad1-8tsi on 19/07/2022 - 01:16
      +1

      BCA changes generally aren't retrospective unless new building work is being done. Even then it only relates to the new work, not the old parts of the building I've just been through it all at our townhouse complex.

  • holdenmg on 18/07/2022 - 00:18

    I'm confused.

    Was the Building ever complaint?
    When did it cease being fully compliant (and why)?
    How did the automatic fire system come to be missing/removed (and by who) and what measures were
    put in place while repairs/maintenance/upgrading were done?
    Are you currently covered/insured?
    Should residents be living there at all while things are put right?

    Maybe see a Solicitor or think about whether you are insured for any of this…

  • Presence on 18/07/2022 - 08:05

    The whole automatic fire system is missing and needed to be designed and built from scratch.

    Something doesnt sound right here, at all!

    You'd never have been allowed to move in if it was required. I can't help but think someone is taking you for a ride.

    How big is the building?

  • brad1-8tsi on 19/07/2022 - 01:18

    What does your strata manager say? Seek legal advice. You might have to take it back as far as the certifier.

    Why have you left it so late? Ours was done 3 months ago

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