Cladding

Omnii has assembled a dedicated cladding team, specifically to guide clients through the cladding minefield.

With no Federal Government position on the reform of the use of Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP), each state/ territory has its own unique and complex legislation. Omnii has assembled a dedicated cladding team, specifically to guide clients through this cladding minefield.

Omnii’s Cladding Team Leader is an admitted lawyer with 6 years practicing experience, who’s comprehensive understanding of cladding legislation is paramount to navigating the best pathways toward rectification.  Furthermore, a number of our team have completed a highly specialised Combustible Cladding CPD course at the University of Queensland (UQ).

Our Cladding Fire Engineering services include:

  • Compliance pathways tailored to client and State Government requirements
  • Bespoke Insurance cladding assessment reports
  • Due diligence cladding assessment reports

Omnii assesses each building individually to identify the needs of the client, the extent and impact of the issue, and to address the requirements of the state legislature.

Detailed CFD modelling and analysis is utilised for predicting the spread of fire, enabling building-specific assessment and reporting.

Through this bespoke approach, we develop fire engineered performance solutions with the objective to:

  • Reduce disruption to building operations
  • Mitigate potential building works
  • Minimise any rectification costs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Queensland
Victoria
New South Wales

 
 

What is a BFSRA?

A Building Fire Safety Risk Assessment (BFSRA) is a document required by the Queensland Government, to assess the risk of fire spread caused by combustible cladding.

 

I don’t have Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP), why do I need a BFSRA?

Under Part 4A of the Qld Building regulation 2006, all external cladding deemed to be combustible must be assessed by a registered fire engineer and a BSFRA and Form 35 submitted to the QBCC.

 

How do I know If I need a BFSRA?

If combustible cladding was identified and reported in your building’s registration on the QBCC website (PART 1), or if a Building Industry Professional (BIP) identified that you have combustible cladding (PART 2), you are required to engage a Registered Fire Engineer to complete a BFSRA and Form 35 (PART 3). You may have also received a letter from the Queensland Government.

 

I have missed the Part 3 deadline. What do I do?

We recommend you contact the QBCC as soon as possible, as fines are associated with non-compliance.

 

How do I get a BFSRA?

Contact Omnii’s dedicated cladding team for a fee proposal. Once you have engaged Omnii, you may register our details on the QBCC website (Deadline 31st October 2019). We will then walk you through the process, attend site and produce the BFSRA and a Form 35.

 
 

I have engaged a Fire Engineer to complete my BFSRA. What happens next?

The deadline for lodgement of your BFSRA to the QBCC is 3 May 2021. You are not required to complete any further steps until being contacted by your Fire Engineer.

 

I have received my BFSRA, what happens next?

You are required to upload your BFSRA and Form 35 to the QBCC website within 5 days of receiving it.

Make yourself familiar with the BFSRA. Where necessary, the document will identify interim Fire Safety measures for you to implement.

 

What happens after I have uploaded my BFSRA to the QBCC website?

No further action is required from you, unless advised by the QBCC. If required, the QBCC will contact you and advise you to display an affected building notice.

 

What is an affected building notice?

The Affected building notice identifies that the building is considered an affected private building with a fire safety risk, as defined by the Building Regulation 2006 Part 4a – Combustible Cladding.

Queensland Cladding Process

 

What is a Building Notice?

A building notice requires a building owner to give reasons to the Council or the VBA as to why they should not take further action eg. Issue a building order to replace the cladding.

 

 

Why has a Building Notice been issued?

The Council or VBA has inspected your building and believe that it does not meet certain building regulations. This includes but is not limited to combustible cladding.

 

I have been issued a Building Notice. What am I required to do?

You are required to respond to the notice and justify why your building does meet the regulations, within the stipulated timeframe. If your notice relates to a fire safety matter, including cladding; a registered Fire Engineer can undergo a fire safety review of the building, including any cladding. This review will evaluate your risk and support your response to the notice.

Any building owner wishing to keep all or portions of the combustible cladding will likely have to appeal the Building Notice through the Buildings Appeals Board. A registered Fire Engineer can also assist with this process.

 

What if I don’t respond to the Building Notice?

The council or VBA will issue a Building Order which requires you to undertake specific rectification works. By responding to the Building Notice, you are able to potentially influence the extent of works required and the timeframes for their completion.

 

What If I am issued a Building Order?

This order requires you to undertake specific rectification works within a certain time frame. If you fail to comply, you may be subject to prosecution and/or fines.

 

 

 
 

What is the Cladding Regulation Online Registration System?

The online cladding registration system is a self-reporting system where applicable owners (or owners agents) of buildings must register their building.

 

What types of building need to be registered?

If you answer yes to the following question, you must register your building online.

Is your building 2 storeys or more (above the ground) and one of the following?

    • An apartment building
    • Other accommodation for unrelated people (examples include hotels, motels, boarding house, hostel, backpackers [1], residential parts of a school or accommodation buildings for children, the elderly or people with a disability)
    • An aged care building or healthcare building, hospital, clinic or day surgery
    • Public assembly building where people may gather for social, theatrical, political, religious or civil purposes (examples include schools, universities, childcare centres, sporting facilities, cinemas, nightclubs, public transport buildings).
    • Contains either metal composite panels or insulated cladding system on any part of its external walls or another external area of the building. See claddingregistration.nsw.gov.au for more information on metal composite panels or insulated cladding systems, and what they look like.
 

When do I have to register by?

You must have registered before February 22 2019. For newly completed buildings, the deadline for registration is 4 months after the building is first occupied.

 

What if I haven’t registered online?

Failure to register may incur fines of $1500 for individuals and $3000 for corporations.

 

If I have been issued a Fire Safety Order, do I still have to register?

Building owners must still register their buildings even if it is subject to a Fire Safety Order.

 
 

What happens after you register online?

The details of the building will be provided to Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW) and the local council. It is possible that your council or FRNSW may contact you about your building after you register. It is also possible that a Fire Safety Order may be issued to you.

 

What is a Fire Safety Order?

A Fire Safety Order requires a building owner to give reasons to the council as to why they should not take further action e.g. Issue a Building Notice to replace the cladding.

 

Why has a Fire Safety Order been issued?

The Council or FRNSW has inspected your building and believe that it does not meet certain building regulations. This includes but is not limited to combustible cladding.

 

I have been issued a Fire Safety Order. What am I required to do?

You are required to respond to the order and justify why your building does meet the regulations, within the stipulated time frame. If your order relates to a fire safety matter, including cladding; a registered Fire Engineer can undergo a fire safety review of the building, including any cladding. This review will evaluate your risk and support your response to the order.

 

What if I don’t respond to the Fire Safety Order?

The council will issue a Building Notice which requires you to undertake specific rectification works. By responding to the Building Notice, you are able to potentially influence the extent of works required and the time frames for their completion.