Essential Safety Measures
Essential Safety Measures (ESMs) include all traditional building fire services (i.e. sprinklers and mechanical services), passive fire safety installations (fire doors and fire-rated structures) and other building infrastructure including paths of travel to exits.
The safety equipment, fittings and measures include:
- Air conditioning systems
- Early warning systems
- Emergency lifts and lighting
- Emergency power supply
- Emergency warning systems
- Exit doors
- Exit signs
- Fire control centres
- Fire curtains and doors
- Fire exinguishers
- Fire detectors and alarm systems
- Fire hydrants/hose reels
- Fire-isolated stairs
- Fire-rated materials
- Fire/smoke doors
- Fire windows
- Mechanical ventilation
- Passage ramps
- Path of travel to exits
- Smoke alarms/detectors
- Smoke control systems
- Sprinkler systems
As the owner of a building, you are responsible for its ongoing maintenance and have an obligation to ensure that any essential safety measure continue to perform at the same level of operation that existed when it was first commissioned. This means that regular inspections are required and accurate records are held on the property.
Building owners must ensure that an Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR) is prepared each year under regulation 1208.
Which buildings require ESM maintenance?
All buildings, other than a house or outbuilding, are affected by ESM regulations.
The various class of buildings as defined in the National Construction Code Seriesl which require ESM maintenance, can be found here. You must also keep records of all maintenance checks and repair works carried out, so that a Municipal Building Surveyor or Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade can inspect them at any time.
Non-compliance may result in a fine of over $60,000 for individuals or over $300,000 for companies. These fines and infringements increase annually.
How can SPI Property Inspections help?
SPI Property Inspections partners with fire services, auditors and technicians to provide a comprehensive range of monitoring services, including:
- Identifying existing ESMs within a building and inspecting their condition
- Reporting on defective ESM items and suggesting methods of remediation
- Testing and monitoring exit and emergency lighting
- Servicing all types of fire equipment
- Repair and maintenance of all fire-related structures
- Inspection of fire doors and smoke doors
- Production of logbooks for each building
- Ongoing record-keeping of maintenance contractors’s site visits
Our team can offer a fully managed and comprehensive program throughout the year, based on the services you require. We have developed a simple 5 step process, as follows:
Ensure you meet your compliance obligations. Contact us today for a free online quote or phone us directly on 1300 721 032.
Latest News
- The owner of a building is responsible for its ongoing maintenance and implementation of safety procedures. This also includes ensuring Essential Safety Measures (ESM’s) program is existing at your building. ESM’s are vital for the life, safety and health of people over a building’s duration and from 2 June 2018, the crack down on ESM […]
- Unfortunately, the management of Essential Safety Measure’s (ESM’s) are often found to be lacking or non-existent for many buildings. In some cases, the owner is unaware about their legal obligations to comply with fire safety and protection over the life of the building. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) can reprimand parties that are not complying […]
- We recently had a chat with experienced ESM professional Damien Purcell, a registered Building Inspector, as he walks us through what you need to know with Essential Safety Measures. About Damien: Damien has been carrying out ESM audits and inspections since 2004 and holds a Diploma of Building Surveying as well as a Diploma of […]
- It was only months ago the devastating building fire took place in North Kensington (London) taking several lives and leaving many homeless. Theories as to why the fire escalated so quickly are still being discussed, blaming features such as the cladding and inadequate safety procedures. The cladding had come under serious scrutiny with experts stating […]
Essential Safety Measures (ESM’s) are vital for the life, safety and health of people over a building’s duration. It’s important for the owner of the building to be informed of their obligations regarding maintenance of the ESM’s in their buildings. The type of maintenance required depends on the complexity of the safety measure and will differ depending on the use and type of building.
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