As the deadline for window locks on all NSW Strata buildings looms let’s take a look at what prompted NSW Fair Trading to introduce this legislation, what it is all about and what it means for strata managers.
What prompted the legislation?
Records provided by the Children’s Hospital at Westmead found that over ten years, 91 of the patients admitted to the hospital were children who had fallen from a window or balcony. With an average of 50 children falling from balconies and windows each year in Australia, it was time to introduce new legislation that would see a reduction in these staggering figures.
What is it?
This window safety legislation is applicable to all multi storey buildings throughout the state, requiring strata managers to ensure the installation of safety devices on all windows. While strata managers are not required to enforce the use of these devices, they must oversee the installation of locks that allow the windows to both open and close, but with a maximum opening of 12.5cm. In addition to this the lock installed should be able to withstand up to 250 newtons of pressure, which is equivalent to 25kg.
What does it mean for strata managers?
The introduction of this legislation gives strata managers until March 13 to have openable windows, throughout the whole building, that are less than 1.7 m above the floor and more than 2m above the surface, fitted with locks. If these regulations are not adhered to the strata manager will be fined.
This new legislation is definitely a step in the right direction for strata managers across the state, as it adds another layer of security and safety for tenants, which in turn leaves less room for incident and results in happier tenants. With the deadline just around the corner…are your windows ready?
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It seems the construction boom is just beginning for the City of Sydney. As I drive to work every day I notice a similar pattern happening across many different suburbs… Whether it be the sightings of roadwork ahead signs, cranes, blocked off areas, large trucks, masses of construction workers or photos of what’s to come, they all have one thing in common- they all symbolise the creation of new infrastructure or the upgrading of the old. In 2015, the New South Wales government commenced works to widen the M4 with the WestConnex project, costing them approximately $14.9 Billion over ten years. During the creation of this job, the government were able to create 2000 jobs for those within construction industry, with only 38% of the job completed so far. A major project such as this, is just the start of things to come for the industry. Media industrialists believe this $100 billion infrastructure boom is just beginning, predicting that it may even be bigger than the housing boom. With new structures such as, buildings and roads being erected and upgraded every day, it is evident now is proving a better time than ever to be in both the construction and engineering industry. We here at BellMont have definitely felt the rise in demand for structural and civil engineers , with our team experiencing an influx of exciting jobs on iconic sites, monuments and strata buildings. This apparent boom is a great thing for engineers all across the state. Companies are deciding now is the time to invest money in the construction business, creating a domino effect for associated industries such as the civil and structural engineering profession. New construction projects give engineers the opportunity for new work. Where there is new construction, there is an engineer offering advice on how best to construct or upgrade the structure. |
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