The SDA HOUSING Podcast

EPISODE 120 - Fire Sprinklers & Class 3 Builds

April 18, 2023 NDIS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA Episode 120
The SDA HOUSING Podcast
EPISODE 120 - Fire Sprinklers & Class 3 Builds
Show Notes

EPISODE:
Minh and Angad (SADHANA CONSTRUCTIONS - WA) sit down once again to discuss Class 3 builds and Fire Sprinklers within the SDA space. This topic is becoming increasingly important so we decided it was time to sit down and discuss this in detail in a solo episode.
 
The current SDA Design Standards do not mandate the inclusion of sprinkler systems in new SDA dwellings. However, they do state that “it is desirable for fire sprinklers to be provided”. There is also some disagreement between stakeholders as to whether the National Construction Code does not, in effect, require all SDA dwellings to be classified as Class 3 buildings, in which case (because they are for residential care buildings) sprinklers would be mandatory. It is not appropriate for the SDA Pricing Review to determine these issues. However, it is recommended that the NDIA should work with SDA developers and with the Australian Building Codes Board, which is responsible for the National Construction Code, to provide greater clarity to SDA developers and building certifiers as to the appropriate classification of SDA dwellings.

We strongly recommend our investors listen to this episode as it is likely to impact many SDA properties past, present, and future.


ARTICLE RELEASED - 23/06/23

Fire safety is a critical aspect of health, safety, and amenity in buildings. The NCC mandates fire sprinklers in Class 2 and 3 buildings but does not require them in Class 1a buildings. This may not adequately suit the needs of individuals with disabilities. To address this, the SDA Design Standard specifies additional building features to cater to the diverse needs of people with disabilities, including building access and utilisation.

While the SDA Design Standard notes that the inclusion of sprinklers is desirable, it does not mandate them in Class 1b buildings. However, considering the high-risk individuals with disabilities may face in emergencies, there is a strong argument for making fire sprinklers mandatory in all SDA. The NCC aims to achieve nationally consistent safety standards, and enforcing sprinkler requirements would align with this goal.

If the NCC does not enforce mandatory sprinklers in all SDA, it should be addressed in the upcoming update of the SDA Design Standard in 2023. Relying on voluntary implementation by developers is naive, as not all developers fully understand the needs of SDA participants and may prioritise cost over safety. The final choice of participants in selecting their SDA is influenced by effective fire safety measures, and those dwellings that have not considered participant safety needs may be lower on their preference list.

It is crucial to prioritise the needs of SDA participants and ensure that SDA meets their requirements. Failure to do so not only leads to dissatisfaction among participants but also results in fewer appropriate SDA options available. Adequate fire safety measures are particularly important for people with disabilities, as they are among the most vulnerable in emergencies. Worldwide examples highlight the dire consequences when effective fire reduction and evacuation systems are lacking.

The safety requirements of people with disabilities should not be overlooked; it is a matter of human rights. The absence of mandated requirements for basic fire sprinklers in all SDA exemplifies how profit sometimes takes precedence over participant well-being. It is a potential disaster waiting to happen and demands immediate attention.

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