Building Fire Safety Committee
It is part of Council's role to investigate whether building owners are maintaining proper levels of fire safety in their buildings for the protection of all occupiers.
Local Government plays an important role in protecting the ongoing safety of building occupiers and users through the provisions of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, including the establishment and implementation of a Building Fire Safety Committee.
Section 71 of the Act establishes the power for councils to investigate whether building owners are maintaining proper levels of fire safety in their buildings for the protection of all occupiers, whether they be residents and workers who use them regularly, or clients and visitors who only use them occasionally.
An ‘authorised officer’ from a council can inspect existing buildings to check if the fire safety is adequate. If not, a Building Fire Safety Committee, as an ‘appropriate authority’ under the act, can take action to require the owner to upgrade the fire safety of the building to an appropriate level.
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