Statewide Cladding Audit Update Matt Vincent Executive Director, Corporate Governance and Major Projects Head, Statewide Cladding Audit
Lacrosse • 25 November 2014 • 23 storeys • Rapid spread of fire up façade • Evacuation of more than 400 residents
Grenfell • Grenfell fire on 14 June 2017 claimed 72 lives • Combustible cladding fires have also occurred in Dubai, Malaysia and France Source: Natalie Oxford, Wikimedia Commons
Launched by the State Government on 3 July 2017 Co-Chaired by former Premier Ted Baillieu and former Deputy Premier John Thwaites The Victorian Cladding Taskforce Reviewed previous VBA audits Developed an audit methodology and piloted a program in 5 municipalities
Taskforce Interim Findings Systems Failings • Supply and marketing of inappropriate materials • Confusion about what could be used • Over-reliance on building surveyor for assurance • Poor culture of compliance • Failure of regulatory system • Infrequent audits • Inadequate on-site inspections
Taskforce Interim Recommendations • Complete audit of at risk buildings • Audit government buildings • Develop a rectification standard • VBA significantly increase compliance and enforcement • Increase practitioners understanding of NCC • Explore options for low cost financing • Consider longer term reforms (e.g. shared responsibility legislation)
Statewide Cladding Audit by VBA
Audit Onsite inspection methodology Initial visual by the VBA and assessment MBS Emergency Risk assessment orders where & expert review necessary Rectification
Risk Assessment Tool The tool considers: • The kind, extent and configuration of cladding • Potential sources of ignition • Distance from adjacent buildings • Cladding near openings and exits • Occupancy type • Presence of fire suppression systems
Inspections Total Inspected 1832 Expert Panel 1134 Risk ratings Privately owned Highest 72 (7%) buildings High 373 (37%) Moderate 370 (37%) Audit status as at 31 Low 191 (19%) May 2019 Building orders Evacuation orders 1 Emergency Orders 49 Building notices 368* Building orders 27*
End-to-end Audit Process 1. Inspect & 2. Issue risk assess orders and notices 3. Rectify
Ministerial Guideline 14 • MG 14 restricts the use of combustible cladding materials • The guideline specified the functions of building surveyors when granting a building permit where these products were specified on external walls and systems.
Legislative changes • Cladding Rectification Agreements • Ministerial power to ban high risk cladding products • VBA power to destructively test products whilst inspecting • VBA power to immediately suspend practitioners in the public interest
VBA as MBS for higher risk buildings • VBA is performing MBS functions for more than 300 buildings • VBA will bring consistency and coordination to rectification • Ease pressure on local government
• MG 14 restricts the use of combustible cladding • Apartment buildings materials • Inadequate alarm systems Key audit findings • Essential safety measures not well • The guideline specified the functions of building maintained surveyors when granting a building permit where these products were specified on external walls and systems. • Extended travel distances • single exit stairs, non fire or smoke isolated • Combustible cladding adjacent to ignition sources • Multiple departures from DTS requirements compounding safety risks • Consistent issues across all high risk buildings
Insurance industry response to rectification • Tightening Professional Indemnity insurance market for designers and surveyors • Will mean that rectification is more challenging • Surveyors required to maintain insurance without exclusions
Audit Builder exercised reasonable care by methodology engaging other qualified building practitioners VCAT found the architect, RBS and fire engineer failed to exercise due care and skill Proportions: RBS 33% • Architect 25% • Fire engineer 39% •
Statewide Cladding The VBA will continue Audit will continue to pursue compliance over the next 18-24 months What next? The VBA will increase The Municipal Building focus on compliance Surveyors will continue and rectification in the to play a key role in coming months keeping people safe
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