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Why Accurate Fire Safety Documentation Matters for Building Owners Dated – March 2024

For building owners and facility managers, having a complete and accurate set of fire safety documentation is essential for ensuring compliance, smooth operations, and—most importantly—occupant safety. Yet, many buildings lack the necessary records, making it difficult to manage ongoing maintenance, modifications, and regulatory obligations effectively.

While comprehensive building and fire safety manuals are not yet mandatory for commercial properties in all Australian jurisdictions, their importance was highlighted in the 2018 Shergold Weir ‘Building Confidence’ Report.

The Push for Mandatory Building Manuals

Recommendation #20 of the report advised that:

"Each jurisdiction should require a comprehensive building manual for commercial buildings, to be lodged with building owners and passed on to successive purchasers."

Now, six years later, state governments in Victoria and New South Wales are moving towards adopting this recommendation into law.

What’s Changing?

In Victoria, a bill has been introduced to amend the Building Act and enforce the requirement for a building manual as part of the occupancy permit process. According to the Parliament of Victoria, the proposed legislation will:

  • Require building applicants to prepare a draft building manual and submit it for approval.
  • Make critical building design, construction, and maintenance information easily accessible.
  • Ensure building owners and owners’ corporations are responsible for keeping the manual up to date
Once approved, these changes will improve fire safety compliance and help building practitioners, regulators, and owners maintain safer, more efficient properties.

How Adept Fire Can Help

As a specialist provider of fire protection systems and compliance services, Adept Fire has extensive expertise in developing fire safety manuals that meet industry regulations and support safe facility operations.

We can assist building owners, developers, and facility managers in preparing clear, compliant, and practical fire safety documentation, ensuring your property is ready for any future regulatory changes.

With fire safety regulations evolving, now is the time for building owners to take a proactive approach. Whether mandatory or not, having a well-documented fire safety manual ensures compliance, improves safety, and makes managing your building easier.

Need help with your fire safety documentation? Contact Adept Fire today