Queensland Fire Damper Inspection Requirements Explained

By admin,

We live in a 10-story, 20-year-old complex in Qld with 60 units. Our units' exhaust vents are ducted to the main risers. In the event of a fire, a fire damper closes at the junction with the riser to prevent fire from spreading into the riser or into an apartment.

We've been told that 20% of units must be inspected each year for the next five years to confirm the dampers work. If more than 10% of the sample is deficient, all dampers must be checked in the next 12 months.

We have never been inspected for this previously. Is this a new QLD law?

Can a Body Corporate Supply Fire Panel Batteries for Installation?

By admin,

As per AS1851, our fire panel and diesel pump room batteries need replacing every 2 years. Can our body corporate purchase the replacement batteries through a certified supplier for our contracted fire services company to install? There will be considerable cost savings if we purchase the batteries.

Can a Lot Owner Repaint the Inside of a Fire Door?

By admin,

Our strata scheme is a building format plan under the accommodation module.

For fire doors located in a boundary wall between a lot and common property, is painting the inside of the fire door and the fire door frame an owner's responsibility?

If the body corporate paints the inside and outside of the fire door, can an owner repaint the inside of the door with a colour of their choice?

If a lot owner refuses access for the fire door inspection, what are the legal and insurance implications?

By admin,

A notice was sent to all owners and residents one month in advance for a scheduled fire door inspection. One lot was non-compliant because the technician was unable to access the unit after multiple attempts on the allocated day and time. The body corporate has since contacted the owner to reschedule the inspection—at their own cost, as stated in the original notice—but the owner has not followed through.

What Can You Do When a Strata Committee Ignores Your Requests?

By admin,

What can we do if the Strata Committee does not reply to us when I write to them about an issue. We have a water ingress problem causing safety and health issues and damage to our unit. We assume this is a Owners Corporation responsibility.

We wrote to the Strata Committee months ago. We have written an additional 4 times but have not received any response. What can we do?

Deadlocked Votes and No Action: Is This How a Small Strata Should Be Run?

By admin,

I have just bought one of four townhouses. The builder owns one and his wife own another, so they have two of the four votes in the strata.

I have a possum in my roof and their answer is "No, we are not fixing that". The builder and his wife manage the building. There are no meetings and no minutes. Is this how a strata building should be run?

Are There Penalties for Ignoring a Strata Scheme’s 10-Year Capital Works Fund Plan?

By admin,

If our owners corporation continuously adopts capital works levies well below figures in our ten year plan, are there fines or penalties that could be imposed? Is there an obligation to comply with either the current Act or Regulations? Does this mean the legislation has no teeth?

Are Strata Committee Members Required to Share Their Contact Details With Owners?

By admin,

One of our committee members is a non-owner proxy nomination from a lot owner. They will not provide their email to owners. As committee members represent the owners corporation, are they required to provide contact details to owners?

As a lot owner, I've asked the strata manager several times for the email address. The strata manager has instructed me to py for a records search. It seems very unfair.

Subscribe to