Building & Property Checklists

Building and property compliance inspections are driven by obligations under both state building legislation and the WHS Act. The National Construction Code (NCC), administered through state building codes, specifies the performance requirements for fire safety systems, essential services and building fabric. Building owners and facility managers must maintain these systems in working order and demonstrate compliance through documented inspection and maintenance records.

Essential services — including fire sprinkler systems, fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, exit signs, mechanical ventilation and hydrant systems — must be inspected and maintained by competent tradespeople at the intervals specified in the relevant annual fire safety statement or equivalent state requirement. Failure to maintain essential services is a serious building code offence and a significant liability exposure in the event of a fire.

The WHS Act duty to provide and maintain a safe physical work environment extends to the building fabric, walkways, stairs, loading docks and all common areas. Regular documented facility inspections enable building managers to identify and remediate hazards before they cause injury, and provide clear evidence of the systematic approach to safety management that the WHS Act and common law both require.