Dr Stephen Scimonello’s research at Victoria University’s Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities has revealed that almost 90 percent of the multi-storey buildings in Victoria do not adhere to fire safety standards.
The research led by Dr Scimonello sheds light on the challenges faced by facility and property managers who are scrambling to maintain complicated and intricate fire safety systems.
As corroborated by Scott Morgan AFSM GIFireE in Facility Management’s examination into the impact of the Los Angeles fires on facility management, modern fuel loads have shortened flashover times, with fire now spreading through a property in under five minutes.
“We used to work on flashover times of about eight minutes, however flashover times are now down to about three and a half minutes due to modern fuel loads,” Morgan says.
“Houses and facilities have never been more flammable.”
Fire safety far from a ‘set and forget’ task
Sensor Global CEO Andrew Cox says operational smoke alarms save lives.
“With more than 40 per cent of alarms in some buildings non-operational, there is an urgent need for accountability and smarter solutions to ensure fire safety devices are properly maintained,” he says.
Cox implores facilities to capitalise on technological innovation that enables efficient real-time reporting, compliance checks and audit trails, reducing the risk of avoidable tragedies.
He says building and facilities managers must prioritise installing smoke alarms and abandon the idea that fire safety can function on a ‘set and forget’ approach.
“Without clear compliance mechanisms, mandatory reporting and greater enforcement, residents will continue to face unacceptable risks,” he says. “The time for action is now.”
Although Cox applauds the Victorian government’s proposed reforms to tighten the Victorian Building Authority’s oversight, the ongoing absence of real-time visibility and stringent fire safety maintenance requirements leaves residents and commercial tenants highly vulnerable.
Wormald nabs specialist fire service contract for Australia’s busiest airport.
