Victorian Consolidated Regulations

Building Regulations 2006 - SECT 710

710. Shared accommodation buildings-automatic sprinkler systems

(1) This regulation applies to a Class 3 building that is a shared
accommodation building constructed or for which a building approval or
building permit was granted before 1 July 2003.

Note The term shared accommodation building is defined in clause Vic A1.1 of
the Appendix Victoria set out in the Appendices to the BCA Volume One.

(2) A fire sprinkler system that complies with AS 2118.1-1999 or AS
2118.4-1995 (whichever is appropriate) must be installed throughout a building
to which this regulation applies.

(3) This regulation must be complied with by 14 June 2009.

(4) This regulation must be complied with by the owner of the building.

(5) A person who fails to comply with this regulation is guilty of an offence
and is liable to a penalty not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(6) This regulation does not apply to a building that has a rise in storeys of
not more than 2 and-

   (a)  where the distance of travel from the entrance doorway of each
        sole-occupancy unit-

(i) to the nearest exit; or (ii) to a point from which travel in different
directions to at least 2 exits is available- is not more than 6m; and

   (b)  that has a fire hose reel system in accordance with clause E1.4 of the
        BCA Volume One or, in the case of a fire compartment having a floor
        area not greater than 500m2 in area, portable fire extinguishers to
        cover Class A fire risks in accordance with AS 2444-2001 Portable fire
        extinguishers and fire blankets-Selection and location, published 9
        November 2001, as published from time to time; and

   (c)  that has emergency lighting in accordance with clause G4.4 or clause
        E4.2 of the BCA Volume One (as appropriate); and

   (d)  that has exit signs in accordance with the
        deemed-to-satisfy provisions of Part E4 of the BCA Volume One; and

   (e)  that has a management plan in accordance with Practice Note 2006-13,
        issued by the Building Commission in May 2006.

(7) This regulation does not apply to a building that has a rise in storeys of
more than 2 and-

   (a)  where the distance of travel from the entrance doorway of each
        sole-occupancy unit-

(i) to the nearest exit; or (ii) to a point from which travel in different
directions to at least 2 exits is available- is not more than 6m; and

   (b)  that has building elements with a fire-resistance level of not less
        than 60/60/60 separating each sole-occupancy unit from-

(i) a public corridor, public lobby or the like; or (ii) a room not within the
sole-occupancy unit; or (iii) the landing of an internal non-fire-isolated
stairway; or (iv) another sole-occupancy unit; and

   (c)  any doorways from each sole-occupancy unit that provide access to a
        public corridor, public stairway, internal non-fire-isolated stairway
        or the like are protected with a self-closing fire door having a
        fire-resistance level of not less than -/30/30; and

   (d)  that has a fire hose reel system in accordance with clause E1.4 of the
        BCA Volume One; and

   (e)  that has emergency lighting in accordance with clause G4.4 or clause
        E4.2 of the BCA Volume One (as appropriate); and

   (f)  that has exit signs in accordance with the
        deemed-to-satisfy provisions of Part E4 of the BCA Volume One; and

   (g)  that has a management plan in accordance with Practice Note 2006-13,
        issued by the Building Commission in May 2006.

(8) This regulation does not apply to-

   (a)  a building in which-

(i) each storey that has sleeping facilities has its own direct egress to a
street or to open space; and (ii) the distance of travel from the entrance
doorway of each sole-occupancy unit, to the nearest exit or to a point from
which travel in different directions to at least 2 exits is available, is not
more than 6m; or

   (b)  a building required to comply with regulation 708; or

   (c)  a building that has an approved sprinkler system installed throughout
        the building.

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