Background

The main objectives of the Building Regulations are:

• To remake with amendments the Regulations which control the design, construction and use of buildings and places of public entertainment
• Prescribe standards for the construction and demolition of buildings
• Prescribe standards of safety for places of public entertainment
• Regulate matters relating to the use and maintenance of buildings and places of public entertainment
• Prescribe requirements for the design and siting of single dwellings and associated buildings
• Prescribe standards and matters relating to the maintenance of fire safety and safety measures
• Prescribe requirements for swimming pool and spa safety
• Prescribe matters in relation to the registration of cooling tower systems
• Provide for matters relating to the accreditation of building products, construction methods, designs, components and systems connected with building work
• Prescribe qualifications and provide for other matters relating to registration of building practitioners
• Prescribe fees in respect of matters before the Building Appeals Board, the Building Practitioners Board and the Building Regulations Advisory Committee
• Provide for other matters for the purposes of the Building Act 1993.

Regulation 710 compliance

There is a requirement that by 14 June 2009 shared accommodation buildings constructed before 1 July 2003 must have a fire sprinkler system installed. 

Specifically, regulation 710 of the Building Regulations 2006 requires that a Class 3 building that is a shared accommodation building constructed or for which a building permit was issued before 1 July 2003, must have a fire sprinkler system installed prior to 14 June 2009.

If you are an owner of one of these buildings, and have not already complied with these provisions, you will need to have your building assessed to determine if regulation 710 applies to the building. If the building is required to comply, then work should commence well in advance of 14 June 2009 to ensure compliance is achieved by that date.

The legislative requirement to install fire sprinkler systems in shared accommodationbuildings came about due to injury and loss of life in previous building fires. Installing sprinkler systems will help improve the safety of the hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to Victoria who rely on this kind of accommodation.  It may also contribute to lower insurance costs.

The below will assist you in determining whether the provisions are applicable, along with other information in relation to complying with these requirements:

• Building Commission Practice Note 2008-13 - Installation of fire safety systems in residential buildings
•  An Industry Guideline on Regulation 710 (113KB)
•  Frequently asked questions (70KB)

For further information email Technical and Research Services or call (03) 9285 6400.