Risk & Threat Preparedness

Essential Safety Measures

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Emergeny Response

Comprehensive Safety Audits: Identifying Critical Compliance Needs

Conducting regular and thorough safety audits of your property can help you spot compliance needs and safety issues you might not even know about.

These audits analyze whether your property fulfills all critical compliance needs and make sure that everything lines up with local regulations and industry standards. What’s more, safety audits take a close look at fire safety measures, emergency procedures and equipment maintenance, helping you find any gaps that could lead to trouble or safety risks.

Regular audits not only keep you compliant but also point out potential areas that could cause future hazards, such as outdated electric installations or fire alarms. To make sure your property is safe, include regular safety audits in your maintenance routine.

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Installation and Maintenance of Safety Systems: Keeping Your Property Secure

Installing and maintaining safety systems is key to keeping your property secure. Think about fire alarms, sprinkler systems and CCTV cameras–these will be your first line of defence against emergencies, whether they’re man-made or natural.

Proper installation is essential to ensure that everything works effectively and risk-free at all times. Moreover, regular maintenance checks can help catch any potential failures before a major issue arises.

For instance, regularly testing your fire alarms will ensure they go off in a potential fire emergency.

Investing in quality installations and regular maintenance of your safety systems is a must to protect your property and all the people in it from any potential risks and hazards.

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Emergency Preparedness

Ongoing Compliance Support: Ensuring Long-Term Safety Standards

Mitigating property risk is all about being proactive. By implementing adequate strategies for protection from various property risks, you can significantly reduce the chances of Ongoing compliance support is crucial for keeping your safety standards in check at all times. Safety regulations can change and it’s important to stay updated so your safety protocols not only remain effective in case of an emergency but also stay compliant with current regulations. This includes everything from fire safety measures to building codes and emergency exit requirements.

With ongoing compliance support, you can adapt to any regulatory shift, keeping your safety protocols effective and up-to-date. This not only helps you meet legal requirements and avoid penalties for neglect but also prioritise the safety of your property and its people.

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Locations






Victoria

Victoria takes a proactive approach to building safety, with strict rules around maintaining essential safety measures (ESMs). Owners must ensure systems like fire doors, alarms, and exits are always in working order.

Key callouts:

  • Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR) is required for most buildings.
  • Applies to all buildings except houses or outbuildings.
  • Maintenance logs must be kept and available on request.

Reference: https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/guides/essential-safety-measures

New South Wales

In NSW, building owners are legally required to confirm the performance of fire safety systems every year through the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS). It’s about keeping occupants safe and meeting council and Fire & Rescue requirements.

Key callouts:

  • AFSS must be submitted to the local council and fire brigade annually.
  • Includes measures like exit signs, fire doors, smoke control systems, etc.
  • Must be prepared by a competent fire safety practitioner.

Reference: https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1979-203

Queensland

Queensland places strong emphasis on maintaining fire safety systems through ongoing servicing and annual reporting. Building occupiers must complete and retain an Occupier Statement to confirm all prescribed fire safety installations are maintained per the regulations.

Key callouts:

  • Annual Occupier Statement must be submitted and kept on-site for inspection.
  • Maintenance must follow both the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 and the Queensland Development Code MP 6.1.
  • Applies to a wide range of buildings, including commercial, accommodation, and public-use facilities.

References:

Tasmania

Tasmanian laws place the responsibility on building owners to maintain safety features but don’t require formal annual certification. However, maintaining logs and records is considered best practice.

Key callouts:

  • Applies to both new and existing commercial buildings.
  • No mandated certificate, but maintenance must be ongoing.
  • Owners must ensure exits, alarms, and fire systems are operable.

Reference: Building Act 2016

South Australia

In SA, essential safety provisions (ESPs) must be inspected and maintained annually, and a Form 3 Certificate of Compliance may be requested by councils.

Key callouts:

  • ESPs include fire protection, egress, and signage systems.
  • Annual checks must be documented and ready if requested.
  • Applies to most commercial and public-use buildings.

Reference: Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016

WA / NT / ACT

While Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory don’t require formal annual certification for essential safety measures, building owners are still legally responsible for maintaining all safety features in accordance with relevant codes and approvals.

Key callouts:

  • WA: Owners must ensure all safety systems (e.g. fire equipment, exits, alarms) are maintained and comply with the Building Code of Australia.
  • ACT: The Building Act 2004 mandates that essential systems are functional, even without certification. Regular inspections and records are strongly encouraged.
  • NT: While no annual statement is required, owners must uphold safety standards outlined during the building approval process under the Building Act 1993.

References:

Have a question?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Essential Safety Measures (ESM)?

Essential Safety Measures are the safety systems and procedures within a property — including fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency procedures and equipment maintenance arrangements — that must be installed, maintained and inspected to keep occupants safe. ESM sits alongside broader Property Risk management activities.

Why do I need an Essential Safety Measures audit?

An ESM audit analyses whether a property fulfils all critical compliance needs and makes sure that everything lines up with local regulations and industry standards. It examines fire safety measures, emergency procedures and equipment maintenance — see our related Audits and Inspections services for a wider view.

What does an ESM safety audit examine?

A safety audit takes a close look at fire safety measures, emergency procedures and equipment maintenance, helping property owners find gaps that could lead to safety risks. It can also identify outdated electrical installations or ageing fire alarms, cross-referenced against the facility’s Emergency Management Manuals.

How often should ESM audits be conducted?

Regular audits should be built into a property’s maintenance routine to keep compliance current. Safety regulations can change, so periodic reviews ensure protocols remain effective — Emergency Compliance: The Fundamental Guide provides further detail on the broader compliance context.

What safety systems should be in place to protect a property?

Fire alarms, sprinkler systems and CCTV cameras form the first line of defence against emergencies, whether man-made or natural. Equipment is only effective when staff know how to use it — pair systems with Virtual Reality Fire Extinguisher Training for hands-on practice.

How does ESM relate to AS 3745-2010?

AS 3745-2010 sets out the emergency planning framework for facilities, while Essential Safety Measures focus on the safety systems and procedures that support emergency response. Together, ESM audits and AS 3745 Compliance Essentials activities give a comprehensive view of a property’s safety posture.

What happens when an audit identifies a safety gap?

Regular audits highlight potential problem areas such as outdated electrical installations or ageing fire alarms before they cause an incident. Findings often feed directly into broader Property Risk planning so resources can be allocated to the right priorities.

Why is ongoing compliance support important?

Safety regulations evolve, so ongoing compliance support is essential to keep safety standards current. This includes fire safety measures, building codes and emergency exit requirements — all visible in one place through the Web Portal – Webconnect.

Which industries need Essential Safety Measures audits?

First 5 Minutes delivers ESM services to multiple industry sectors and property types, including Commercial, Education, Government, Municipal, Health and Aged Care, Industrial, Leisure and Retail facilities — contact our team for sector-specific scoping.

How does an ESM audit help reduce long-term risk?

Regular safety audits not only keep a property compliant but also flag potential hazards before they escalate. By implementing adequate strategies to address risks identified in the audit, property owners significantly reduce the likelihood of incidents — and findings often inform refreshed Emergency Preparedness Training programs.