Smoke alarm compliance in older class 2 buildings explained

By admin,

Our building was built in 1977. I am getting conflicting information from Council and the contractor regarding our smoke alarms.

Due to the age of the building, are battery operated smoke alarms compliant? The building is old and it seems too complicated to go down the hard wired path.

I’ve heard the EPA guidelines are just an information sheet and, for class 2 buildings, the type of smoke alarm used is the owner's choice - hard wired or battery operated. Is this correct?

Battery vs hardwired smoke alarms in strata: Who pays for upgrades?

By admin,

I am the secretary of our strata committee. Our building is six years old. We do not have a sophisticated safety system, with no central fire panel.

We are not required to submit a fire safety statement to the Council. However, we’re committed to ensuring we have all the safety measures and that they are routinely inspected.

Smoke drift without a smoking by-law: Can it still be a nuisance?

By admin,

I am a non-smoker in an older apartment block without a no smoking by-law. My next-door neighbour leans on this as justification for smoking on their balcony daily. The smoke drift seeps into my house.

I have tried talking with them, letting them know their smoke is drifting into my house, to no avail. They says they are “trying” to help me out by only smoking on the far side of their balcony, but the smoke still ends up in my living space.

I have two children living here. The smoker doesn’t care that the children are breathing second-hand smoke almost on a daily basis.

How meticulous record keeping helped win a smoke drift tribunal case

By admin,

During Brenton Pittman's tribunal hearing to stop smoke drift from entering his apartment, the tribunal member described his record keeping as meticulous evidence and compelling. How much effort was it to keep the records? How did Brenton know to keep such detailed records and how much weight does he feel it had on the outcome of the decision? Could this style of record keeping be used for any nuisance case?

Hot water system leak: Who pays the strata insurance excess?

By admin,

Our tenant didn't realise the hot water system was leaking until the downstairs neighbour told them her ceiling was wet. We have had the hot water system replaced. No damage was done to our unit. Our Strata Manager now says that we can make a claim for damage to the neighbouring unit under the Strata Insurance but we are liable for the excess of $1000. Is this correct?

Burst pipe flood damage: Who pays for carpet and magnesite flooring?

By admin,

A lot owner had a burst pipe from their washing machine which flooded the unit. Contents insurance has covered the carpet removal and damage to furniture. Underneath the carpet was magnesite flooring. Apparently, this falls under strata. Will the strata and owners corporation deny the claim of removal? It's a very grey area.

Burst flexi-hoses in apartments: Who is responsible and what insurance covers it?

By admin,

Our strata manager has notified residents that any case of flexi-hoses bursting is the responsibility of the resident and not strata in terms of damage caused to their and/or other apartments.

What insurance do residents need to ensure damage inadvertently caused by them is covered? Does water damage to carpets / flooring / gyprock fall under buildings or contents insurance?

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