Building Permits
When is a building permit required?
Practice Note 2008-32 has been provided to assist the industry apply the relevant legislative requirements on this issue by the Building Commission. They have changed with each issue of the Building Regulations (1994, 2006, 2006) and re-issue of the relevant Practice Note. (2006-32, 2008-32).
The following Statement appears in Schedule 8 of the Building Regulations 2006 (in the context of what is exempt):
“(e) is not work in relation to, and will not adversely affect, an essential safety measure within the meanings of Subdivisions 1 and 2 of Division 1 of Part 12.”
One of the key phrases here is adversely affect. In general terms, the industry does not get a building permit for changes such as replacing an existing safety measure for an equivilant safety measure of the same standard of performance.
The grey areas
There are grey areas are diverse on this matter, and specific advice is recommended from a competent building surveyor. examples of grey areas include;
- Do I need a building permit to change a smoke detector to heat detector?
- Do I need a building permit to change a 68 degree sprinkler to a 93 degree head?
- Do I need a building permit to change an air-water extinguisher to a dry chemical powder?
- Do I need a building permit to change a horn speaker to a 100mm ceiling speaker?
Getting advice
Maintenance Essentials recommends building owners seek competent professional advice in relation to building permits. There are a number of competent building surveyors with specific essential safety measures experience. Contact Maintenance Essentials or one the listed organisations below for further advice.
External links
Building Commission
Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
Society of Fire Safety
Further discussion
For more information and ongoing commentry on this subject visit our industry forum for Building Practitioners
