Sometimes it can be confusing to know exactly what is required for Fire Safety and Emergency Training, and where this information can be found. At DELTRA Australia, we endeavour to make fire legislation information clear and simple for our clients to understand.
The following is a brief summary of the legislation requirements for Fire Safety and Emergency Training within Australia. This summary is not exhaustive; there may be other fire legislation requirements for each State and/or Territory that are not identified below. DELTRA Australia recommends that you conduct further research in your own State or Territory to ensure that all relevant fire legislation requirements are identified.
Australia-Wide
Applicable Legislation: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.
This Regulation is mandatory throughout Australia (ACT, NSW, NT & QLD only from 1 January 2012). Thus, all relevant requirements must be met.
Model Regulation Available Free-of-Charge From: Australian Government ComLaw (refer to your own State/Territory WHS Regulator for jurisdictional-specific Regulations)
Summary of Requirements: Section 43 “Duty to prepare, maintain and implement emergency plan”
- Ensuring that an Emergency Plan is prepared
- Emergency Procedures to include effective emergency response, evacuation procedures, notifying emergency services, medical treatment and assistance and effective communication
- Testing the emergency procedures
- Information, training and instruction to workers
- Maintaining the Emergency Plan to ensure it is effective
- Implementing the Emergency Plan in the event of an emergency
Applicable Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities 2011. This Code of Practice is one of a number of Codes of Practice within the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 regime. The Code is seen as “best practice” to meet Work Health and Safety obligations.
Model Code of Practice Available Free-of-Charge From: Safe Work Australia (refer to your own State/Territory WHS Regulator for jurisdictional-specific Codes of Practice)
Summary of Requirements: Section 5 “Emergency Plans”
This section provides guidelines of how compliance with Section 43 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 may be achieved. Specific reference is made to AS3745-2010 “Planning for emergencies in facilities”.
Applicable Standard: AS3745-2010 “Planning for emergencies in facilities”
Aspects of AS3745-2010 are mandatory where it is called up in legislation. Where AS3745-2010 is not called up in legislation, it is seen as “best practice” to meet Work Health and Safety obligations. Some companies may specify the use of AS3745-2010 as their requirements to participate in their services (for example, insurance companies or health care services).
Available for Purchase From: SAI Global
Summary of Requirements:
- Establishment and ongoing operation of an Emergency Planning Committee (EPC)
- Development and maintenance of an Emergency Plan, including Evacuation Diagrams
- Development and implementation of Emergency Response Procedures
- Development and ongoing operation of an Emergency Control Organisation (ECO)
- Regular training for:
- Emergency Planning Committee
- Emergency Control Organisation, including Chief Warden Group
- Emergency Response Team (where required by the EPC)
- Building Occupants and Visitors
- Regular Emergency Response Exercises
- Ongoing review and maintenance
Applicable Standard: AS4083-2010 “Planning for emergencies – Health care facilities”
This Standard is seen as “best practice” to meet Work Health and Safety obligations for health care facilities. Some health care agencies may specify the use of AS4083-2010 as their requirements to participate in their activities. AS4083-2010 should be used in conjunction with AS3745-2010.
Available for Purchase From: SAI Global
Summary of Requirements:
- Use of the Colour Code system for emergency identification
- Development and maintenance of an Emergency Plan
- Emergency Management through the use of an Emergency Coordinator and Emergency Officers
- Specific emergency response
- Debriefing and Emergency Plan review
- Training of:
- the Emergency Coordinator
- Emergency Officers
- Supervisors
- Those working with hazardous materials and processes
- Those who have additional duties in the event of particular emergencies
Queensland
Applicable Legislation: Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008.
This Regulation is mandatory throughout Queensland. Thus, all relevant requirements must be met.
Available Free-of-Charge From: Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel
Summary of Requirements: Part 4 “Evacuation Planning, Instruction and Practice”
- Keeping a Fire and Evacuation Plan
- Evacuation Signs and Diagrams to be displayed
- Fire Safety Advisers
- Giving regular instructions for:
- General Evacuation (staff)
- First-Response (fire extinguishers and alarms)
- Evacuation Coordination (Emergency Control Organisation (ECO))
- Conducting regular Evacuation Practice
- Maintaining records
Applicable Legislation: Fire and Emergency Service Act 1990
This Act is mandatory throughout Queensland. Thus, all relevant requirements must be met.
Available Free-of-Charge From: Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel
Summary of Requirements: Part 9A Subdivision 2 “Fire and Evacuation Plan”
- Maintain a Fire and Evacuation Plan
- Provide adequate instructions to persons who work or reside in a building
- Prepare a Fire Safety Management Plan (Subdivision 3 “Fire Safety Management Plan – applies to certain buildings only)
Tasmania
Applicable Legislation: General Fire Regulations 2010
This Regulation is mandatory throughout Tasmania. Thus, all relevant requirements must be met.
Available Free-of-Charge From: Tasmanian Numbered Regulations
Summary of Requirements: Part 3 Division 2 “Fire Evacuation Plans”
- Keeping a Fire Evacuation Plan in accordance with AS3745 (in so far as it is relevant to Tasmanian circumstances)
- Conducting annual Practice Evacuations