❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the appropriateness of a 1.2-metre high fence as an emergency exit, to which the Minister responds that it is not considered appropriate according to the Building Code of Australia.
AnsweredQoN 741Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND
EMERGENCY SERVICES — EMERGENCY EXITS
741. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Emergency Services:
(1) Under what
circumstances would a 1.2-metre high fence be considered an appropriate
emergency exit or point of egress during a fire or other emergency?
(2) Would a 1.2-metre
high fence ever be considered an appropriate emergency exit or point of egress
during a fire or other emergency?
EMERGENCY SERVICES — EMERGENCY EXITS
741. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Emergency Services:
(1) Under what
circumstances would a 1.2-metre high fence be considered an appropriate
emergency exit or point of egress during a fire or other emergency?
(2) Would a 1.2-metre
high fence ever be considered an appropriate emergency exit or point of egress
during a fire or other emergency?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided by the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
(1)–(2) A
1.2-metre high fence would not be considered an appropriate emergency exit or
point of egress during a fire or other emergency. The definition of an ''exit''
within the Building Code of Australia is —
Exit means —
(a) Any, or any combination of the following if
they provide egress to a road or open space —
(i) An internal or
external stairway.
(ii) A ramp.
(iii) A
fire-isolated passageway.
(iv) A doorway
opening to a road or open space.
(b)
A horizontal exit or a fire-isolated passageway leading to a horizontal exit.
The clear intent here is for
occupants of a building to have clear access out of the building in case of an
emergency.
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided by the
Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
(1)–(2) A
1.2-metre high fence would not be considered an appropriate emergency exit or
point of egress during a fire or other emergency. The definition of an ''exit''
within the Building Code of Australia is —
Exit means —
(a) Any, or any combination of the following if
they provide egress to a road or open space —
(i) An internal or
external stairway.
(ii) A ramp.
(iii) A
fire-isolated passageway.
(iv) A doorway
opening to a road or open space.
(b)
A horizontal exit or a fire-isolated passageway leading to a horizontal exit.
The clear intent here is for
occupants of a building to have clear access out of the building in case of an
emergency.
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