Victorian Consolidated Regulations

For ease of reference only, definitions (but not other parts of speech and grammatical forms of a word or phrase defined) appear in bold in the text. Section 39 of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 provides that where a word or phrase is given a particular meaning in an Act or subordinate instrument, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have, unless the contrary intention appears, corresponding meanings. - SECT 435

Fire protection-general

435. Fire protection-general



(1) An occupier of premises where dangerous goods are stored and handled must
ensure that-

   (a)  the premises are provided with a fire protection system that-

   (i)  is designed and constructed for the types and quantities of dangerous
        goods and the conditions under which they are stored and handled; and

   (ii) uses fire fighting media that are compatible with the dangerous goods
        and are effective in the control of incidents involving the types and
        quantities of dangerous goods; and

   (b)  the fire protection system is-

   (i)  properly installed, tested and maintained; and

   (ii) at all times accessible to persons on the premises and to the
        emergency services authority; and

   (iii) is capable of being used, without adaptation or modification, with
        the equipment used by the emergency services authority.

(2) The occupier must, if any of the components of the fire protection system
are rendered inoperative, ensure that-

   (a)  the implications of any of the components of the system being
        unserviceable or inoperative are assessed; and



   (b)  alternative measures are taken to control, to the same level of
        effectiveness, those risks that were controlled by the system when
        functioning fully; and

   (c)  the fire protection system is returned to full operation as soon as
        possible.

(3) If the implications of the system becoming unserviceable or inoperative,
as assessed by the occupier under subregulation (2)(a), include a significant
reduction in the effectiveness of the fire protection system, the occupier
must notify the emergency services authority of the condition of the fire
protection system.

(4) In determining the alternative measures required under subregulation
(2)(b) the occupier must have regard to the need for-

   (a)  the provision of alternative fire protection measures; and

   (b)  a reduction of the quantities of dangerous goods; and

   (c)  stopping or limiting the processes used for the storage and handling
        of dangerous goods; and

   (d)  modifications to systems of work.