What is cladding?
Cladding is any material which forms part of the external surface of a building. It is designed to decorate a building and protect it from the external elements. In recent years, it has been common practice in the construction industry for lightweight Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) to be used as cladding on the exterior walls of buildings, particularly high-rise buildings.
ACP is a composite panel, generally comprised of an outer layer of thin aluminium, a polyurethane or mineral core, and an inner layer of thin aluminium, which have been laminated together.
Each layer of a panel has different fire performance properties. There are various categories of ACP which also have varying fire performance properties. Even if a panel is a compliant building product, it can be used or installed in ways which result in it being deemed to be non-compliant.
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Window Locks Legislation (NSW)
To prevent children falling from windows, all strata buildings in NSW must be fitted with devices that enable the maximum window openings to be less than 12.5cm. Owners corporations must have devices installed on all applicable common property windows by 13 March 2018. The safety devices must be robust and childproof. Residents will still be able to open their windows. However, they will have the security of knowing that when the devices are engaged, children will be protected.
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Asbestos
From 1 January 2012 there were new requirements for asbestos that lift the depth and breadth of inspection, signage, planning and documentation. All states have pre-existing asbestos requirements: therefore, in most states there is an expectation of immediate compliance. While Victoria and Western Australia have not immediately adopted the new Workplace Health and Safety laws this national code will be the expected national standard to which risk asbestos is handled. Queensland is the only state with a formal grace period until 30th June 2013.
There is a requirement to survey the building area and identify all loose and friable asbestos as well as stable kinds found in building materials called Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). ACM is found in all kinds of building materials.
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Fire Safety (NSW)
Fire Safety is an extremely important part in the maintaining of a Strata or Community scheme but sadly is, in many instances, one of those matters that's put into the too hard and too expensive basket thereby possibly putting the lives of the scheme's lot owners at risk.
The NSW Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulation 2000 Part 9: Fire Safety... requires that "the owner of a building, to which an essential fire safety measure is applicable, is required to maintain each essential fire safety measure in the building". Failure to comply with this legislation can lead to significant fines and possibly serious legal ramifications for those responsible.
Fire Safety measures include (but are not limited to):
Fire mains and water supply services
Fire hydrants
Fire shutters & windows
Fire doors
Fire dampers
Fire hose reels
Fire extinguishers
Smoke detectors and alarms
Smoke exhaust systems
Automatic sprinkler systems
Emergency lighting
Stand-by power systems
Emergency lighting
Exit lighting & signs
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