❓ Question regarding the fire at the Atama furniture factory in Malaga, specifically addressing the risks posed by the building's construction to firefighters and whether building inspection standards will be modified. The answer confirms the risks and clarifies responsibilities for building code compliance.
AnsweredQoN 6103Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recent fire on 1 September 2011 at the Atama furniture factory at Malaga, and I ask:
(a) did the nature of the construction of the factory pose special risks for lire lighters; and
(i) if so, did it require them to take additional measures; and
(b) given what occurred at that tire will building inspection standards be modified or augmented?
(a) did the nature of the construction of the factory pose special risks for lire lighters; and
(i) if so, did it require them to take additional measures; and
(b) given what occurred at that tire will building inspection standards be modified or augmented?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 October 2011
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
40 days
(a) Yes. Concrete pre-cast tilt-up walls do pose special risks to fire fighters. Earlier buildings of this type were designed so that the walls fell outwards under fire conditions, however this has since changed, and buildings should now be constructed so as to have the wall panels fall inwards. In the case of the Atama building, some panels fell inwards and some fell outwards.
(i) This inconsistent collapse pattern required fire fighters to establish themselves a safe distance from any standing panels, a practice which is in line with Standing Operating Procedures for such buildings.
(b) It should be noted that Local Government has the primary responsibility for compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Further to this, designers, engineers and builders are required to ensure that the design and construction of a building is in accordance with the BCA. The overarching responsibility to ensure State building standards are met lies with the Building Commission, a division of the Department of Commerce.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia has advised the Building Commission of the circumstances related to this fire.
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(i) This inconsistent collapse pattern required fire fighters to establish themselves a safe distance from any standing panels, a practice which is in line with Standing Operating Procedures for such buildings.
(b) It should be noted that Local Government has the primary responsibility for compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA). Further to this, designers, engineers and builders are required to ensure that the design and construction of a building is in accordance with the BCA. The overarching responsibility to ensure State building standards are met lies with the Building Commission, a division of the Department of Commerce.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia has advised the Building Commission of the circumstances related to this fire.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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