When the construction of a building is complete, the building owner is responsible for the building's upkeep and maintenance, particularly its safety features and services.

The maintenance of safety measures will ensure that the safety systems, which mainly deal with fire situations within the building, remain at the required operational level throughout the life of the building.  The type of maintenance depends on the complexity of the service, equipment or feature and also the experience of the person carrying out the inspection or test.

Essential safety measures are the fire and life safety items that are installed or constructed in a building to ensure adequate levels of fire safety over the life of the building. 

Essential safety measures include all traditional building fire services such as sprinklers, mechanical services, but also include passive fire safety such as fire doors, fire rated structures and other building infrastructure items, such as paths of travel to exits.

A safety measure means any measure (including an item of equipment, form of construction or safety strategy) that is required to ensure the safety of persons using the building. . Some examples are given below:

• Air conditioning systems*
• Exit doors
• Early warning systems
• Emergency lifts and lighting
• Emerging lighting
• Emergency power supply
• Emergency warning systems
• Exit signs
• Fire control centres
• Fire curtains and doors
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire detectors and alarm system
• Fire hydrants
• Fire isolated stairs
• Fire rated materials
• Fire windows
• Mechanical ventilation
• Passage ramps
• Path of travel to exits
• Smoke alarms
• Smoke control systems
• Sprinkler systems

* There is a separate process for Registration of cooling tower systems.

For more information and a general guide visit the Building Commission website: Maintaining essential services in your building.

You can consult with Planning and Building in person at the South Melbourne Town Hall, 208-220 Bank Street, South Melbourne.

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer phone ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Planning & Building.