To improve security in the building after a series of burglaries, some committee members have suggested changes to existing egress points.
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Question: We’ve had a series of burglaries. In order to improve security in the building, some committee members have suggested changes to existing egress points. Are there rules around this sort of thing?
We recently had a series of burglaries in our complex. The offenders, on bicycles, tailgated residents entering the underground car park. The car park can be exited by opening the garage door using a manual button or via the lifts providing ground floor access without a swipe.
Several committee members have requested additional building security measures, such as lifts requiring swipe access to the ground floor. Changes may cause issues with visitors and possible safety egress problems. They have also discussed disabling the manual garage door button. Are there rules around this sort of thing?
Answer: What can or cannot be done concerning changes to the existing egress points depends on whether those egress points are required exits or not in the approved plans.
What can or cannot be done in respect of changes to the existing egress points depends on whether those egress points are required exits or not in the approved plans. A building certifier or the fire control company contracted to the owners corporation would confirm this.
If it is a required exit, there is a need to comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
If those exits are deemed not to be a required exit, the owners corporation should be consulted in the forum of a General Meeting to consider any changes to the current arrangements. Mechanisms can be put in place to allow security measures to be overridden in the case of an emergency. However, this would require significant consultation.
Solutions that do not involve modifying the egress points include the installation of CCTV and, more simply, reminding residents of the need to wait for the doors to fully close before driving away from the gates to prevent tailgating.
Nina Cannell
Signature Strata
E: [email protected]
P: 02 6185 0347
This post appears in Strata News #493.
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