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City of Greater Shepparton
URL: http://greatershepparton.com.au/council/buildingplanning/building/buildingnews/
Building News and Safety Regulations
Balcony Maintenance
Property owners have a responsibility to ensure their balconies are safe to use. Balconies need to be inspected on regular bases and maintained to ensure they are at all times structurally sound. A guideline has been prepared by the Building Commission for the safe use, inspection and maintenance of balconies.
http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/resources/documents/12894_BC_Maint_Balconies.pdf
Energy Efficiency (Commercial, Industrial and Public Buildings)
New provisions are contained in Section J – Energy Efficiency of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) 2007– Volume One.
The primary objective of the requirements is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all new buildings by efficiently using energy. The minimum requirements address the building’s fabric, external glazing, building sealing, air-conditioning and ventilation, lighting and power, and access for maintenance. Further information can be obtained from the Australian Building Codes Board Web site:
http://www.abcb.gov.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=Publications
Energy Efficiency (Domestic Only)
The design of a new dwelling must be designed to meet new energy requirements. Dwellings must have a minimum 5 Star Rating and have a water tank with a minimum storage capacity of 200 Litres connected to sanitary fixtures or solar hot water heating unit. Currently dwellings with a timber floor only need to meet a 4 star rating. Additional information is contained in the following Building Commission Practice Note.
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/Practice_note_2006-551.pdf
Essential Safety Measures
As owner of a building or place of public entertainment must ensure that all essential services nominated on an occupancy permit or existing safety features within their buildings are inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the relevant standards.
Guide to Standards and Tolerances
A Guide has been prepared by the Building Commission to provide the building industry and consumers with information on minimum workmanship standards for new building work.
http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/601-for-the-building-industry.asp?intSiteID=1
Safe Installation of Basketball Rings
Basketball rings must be securely installed to prevent collapse during normal use. Where a person can hang from the rings, the rings including the structure supporting the rings must be designed to prevent collapse and injuring a person. More information is available from the Building Commission.
http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/resources/documents/12324_BC_Basketball_DL.pdf
Smoke Alarms
The building regulations require self-contained smoke alarms be installed in all residential buildings, including dwellings within buildings of other non-residential classes. Smoke alarms are mandatory in:
- Detached houses, row houses, townhouses and villa units
- Boarding houses and guest houses
- Buildings containing sole-occupancy units (for example, a block of flats)
- Backpacker accommodation, residential part of a hotel or motel, residential part of a school, accommodation for the aged, disabled or children
- A dwelling in a non-residential building
Smoke alarms complying with Australian standard AS 3786-1993 are to be installed to satisfy the regulations.
In all new and existing residential buildings, the smoke alarm must be connected directly to mains power and must have a back up battery.
http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/249-smoke-alarms.asp
Swimming Pool and Spa Child Safety Barriers
Swimming pools and spas are required to have safety barriers installed that comply with the Australian Standard AS 1926.1 – 1993 Fencing for Swimming Pools and AS 1926.2 – 1995 Location of Fencing for Swimming Pools and or Part 7 of the Building Regulations 2006. Swimming Pool and Spa Maintenance and Operation must be in accordance with Regulation 1220 Building Regulations.
The Building Code of Australia 2006 and Building Regulations 2006 require:
- All swimming pools in private residences in Victoria MUST be provided with safety barriers to restrict access to children under 5 years of age
- All gates and doors providing access to a pool or spa MUST be fitted with self-closing and self-latching devices.
- Commercial type buildings (built after 1 August 1997). Such as motels, flats and units must be provided with Safety barriers to restrict access by young children to immediate pool surrounds.
The owner of the property AS WELL AS the tenant are responsible for meeting the requirements of the regulations.
http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/resources/documents/Swimming_Pool_and_Spa_Safety_Barriers_FINAL.pdf
It is important that children are always supervised around swimming pools and spas. Adults should complete a First Aid Course and be conversant in providing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
The Council randomly inspects swimming pools and spas to ensure property owners and tenants maintain safety barriers in accordance with the Building regulations. The Council can issue on the spot fines of $200 for each non-complying item.