Common Value-add Upgrades

All buildings require maintenance and from time to time maintenance items become too numerous for an Owners' Corporation to manage. Often these smaller projects come together to form one large building upgrade. At CM+A we believe that additional value can potentially be unlocked by simple building upgrades. Common value-add upgrades include:

  • Voluntary fire & safety upgrades

  • Accessibility upgrades to AS1428.1

  • Improved energy efficiency and running costs

  • Refurbishment of landscape, lobbies, and common areas

  • Additional units, or car parking spaces

  • New rooftop terrace

Common Fire & Safety Upgrades

Common signs that your building may need a fire & safety upgrade:

  • Balustrades & railings seem low

  • A small child could climb or squeeze through balustrade openings

  • Exit strategy is not clear

  • Emergency lights not provided to stairs

  • Only one mean of egress for buildings over 25 metres high

  • Long distances to egress

  • No fire sprinklers

  • Obstacles or tight corridors

  • No fire separation of roof voids

  • Poor or missing fire insulation where services pass through fire walls or floors

  • Battery operated smoke detectors

  • Stairs or ramps seem steep, unsafe, irregular, or slippery

  • Combustible exit stairs and floor covering

  • Floors not leveled

  • Doors in exit path do not swing in direction of egress

  • Generally low light levels

  • Apartment entry doors not self closing or fire-rated

  • Doors are chocked/held open

  • Concrete cancer

What is a Fire Order

Fire orders are issued by Council or the NSW Fire Brigades. An order to upgrade your building can arise from four known scenarios: 

  • A fire occurs in the building.

  • Substantial work is proposed and a Development Application or S96 is lodged.

  • Council receives a complaint.

  • Random audit undertaken by the Council's Fire Safety Officer, a Council Building Surveyor or a NSW Fire Brigades. See section 121B (Order 6) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

 
 

21 Elamang Avenue, Kirribilli
 

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122 Arthur Street, North Sydney

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Ansto Campus Upgrade, Lucas Heights

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20 Collingwood Street, Drummoyne

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6 Elamang Avenue, Kirribilli
 

More on Fire Orders & Common Building Upgrades