Are fabric balcony shades banned under NSW fire regulations?

By admin,

We wish to install a fabric shade on our second storey balcony to block the afternoon sun. We have no flammable cladding on our building. I've been told there are recent fire regulations in NSW banning the installation of fabric shades in relation to cladding fires.

Is this law real? If yes, does it apply to all buildings or just those with flammable cladding?

Are fire door signs required in NSW apartments used for holiday rentals?

By admin,

For a lot that has an entry door being a prescribed fire door, and being a lot that is short-term rented, are there NSW apartment fire door regulations requiring a sign to be attached to the inside of that door letting occupiers know it is a fire door and fire doors cannot be chocked open?

The penalty for a chocked open fire door is a penalty imposed upon the owner of the door which means the owners corporation cops the fine as it is the owner of the door.

How does a holiday renter know that the door is a fire door and cannot be chocked open if there is no sign?

Understanding Fire Safety Requirements for Small Strata Buildings in NSW

By admin,

I am the strata treasurer. We are undergoing a fire safety inspection in Newcastle NSW on a 2 level complex with 6 units. We have a car park underneath plus 2 units and 4 units directly above.

How can I determine what fire measures are needed for our small building as per the NSW fire regulations?

When AGM minutes are wrong, what are the strata manager’s obligations?

By admin,

Our AGM was held by teleconference. For electronic meetings, is the strata manager required to record the meeting? Should the manager clearly call for votes in favour of and against each resolution, and how should votes in electronic meetings be properly conducted and recorded?

Do townhouses have the same fire safety requirements as apartment buildings?

By admin,

I'm looking at purchasing a townhouse which is under a strata scheme. The building was built in 1994.

Do townhouses need to meet the same fire safety standards as apartment buildings with regards to fire safety doors, fire hydrants etc.?

Would a building built in 1994 generally meet the fire safety standards? I know older buildings tend to have issues.

Do exterior switchboard cupboards in strata buildings require fire-rated doors?

By admin,

We are a small strata with 3 units. On the exterior of the building is a cupboard containing an isolation switch for the common area power and lights, plus Foxtel and NBN connections. The main switchboard and meters for the units are located elsewhere.

Are the doors on this cupboard required to be fire doors?