This article outlines legal and safety requirements for smoke alarms and fire safety in both residential and church buildings.
Since 1 January 1995, smoke alarms have been required in all new homes in South Australia. These alarms must be hard-wired to the 240-volt mains power with a backup battery. If notconnected to the main power, the smoke alarms must use a 10-year non-removable battery.
As a minimum requirement, all homes must have battery-powered smoke alarms. Upon sale or lease, the smoke alarms system may need to be upgraded. Refer to the Metropolitan Fire Service website for servicing guidance and SA legislative requirements.
Note: For residential leases, the Synod’s property manager arranges for an annual smoke alarm check to be done.
Many of our church buildings were constructed before 1991, which are not covered by state or local requirements in terms of fire safety items, except for:
All new building work is required by the Act and Regulations* to comply with the current building rules. However, except for a few specific matters, retrospective upgrading of existing buildings is not required under legislation unless a relevant authority finds that there are health and safety risks and accessibility issues for the building occupants.
When a Development Application is assessed, the council or a private certifier uses the National Construction Code to decide which fire safety equipment must be installed on the property. Theserequirements are called Essential Safety Provisions (ESP), and they’re listed in a schedule that’s included with the development approval.
ESPs help keep people and property safe during emergencies like fires, such as:
The system we use today for managing ESPs started in 1994. Before that, buildings followed a logbook system.
For buildings covered by ESPs, local councils may require building owners to consult a qualified firecontractor or building certifier to find out which equipment is required for certain buildings.
The following conditions may trigger a health and/or safety assessment:
For those church buildings where ESPs are in place, the local Council will issue an annual notice (Form 3) that the parishes should complete, certifying that all required ESPs have been tested and maintained from the previous year. The Form 3 lists all applicable ESPs and their relevant maintenance standards. It’s only required for high-risk buildings, as determined by the local council.
While the majority of church buildings in the Diocese are not covered by ESPs, parishes shouldmaintain a logbook of fire safety items installed. They should also ensure that these items are serviced annually. To know if a building has sufficient and effective fire safety items installed, consult a qualified fire contractor by searching “fire testing and maintenance” online or in the Yellow Pages.
Refer to Ministry and Parish Support or the local council for more specific advice and confirm therequirements with your local council before making any major changes to fire safety.
