[simone42]

Hi,

Fire safety upgrade – we need help to navigate this – we are in a mess with owners looking at huge bill – we need advice on a more sensible approach, and any advice is much appreciated.

Our 14 unit 1975 build is undergoing significant remedial works as well as a voluntary fire upgrade. We have a fire report but it seems it has given us all the “bells & whistles” that includes sprinklers in each unit…very very expensive.

It seems no minimum requirement that would satisfy Council is in the report so we cannot get approval to upgrade safely in the most sensible manner (without huge fees for many fixed income owners). What to do?

My question is: Is there an independent fire project manager anyone can recommend that could take another look and work with council for acceptable requirements. Do these Fire Safety companies work with councils to make a plan for the upgrade to ensure non-prohibitive cost but satisfactory upgrades?

We have an existing Building engineer for the remedial works & a fire contractor that seems to have gone awol without fixing the minor works that would have made council happ(ier) with us – to stem off a fire order.

The building engineer has also a report – is this also a fire report? Do council also look at this report?

To be clear, there was no “incident” to trigger the council upgrade, we did have annual fire certs (through another company) – IT WAS VOLUNTARY.

Our Strata Committee seem exhausted, and owners want to participate but scratching their heads trying to sort out what the process is and hope you have some advice to help.

[simone42]

Thank you for your replies – Austman is the most correct –  the single drain pipe takes some water (is located at one end) but as no lip to balcony edge any pot plant overflow from other end, or cleaning of balcony ceiling and glass railing splashes the enclosed windows below (with the grime too). We have tried only clean when it rains but the enclosed people still not happy…..professional cleaning will be expensive. Can the enclosed people be asked to window clean at their expense e.g. 4 times a year after a washdown for others – it was their by law to enclose and repair and maintain thereafter that affects all others. If washing at certain times when given notice they could book to maintain the windows from grime washed over, maintain window frames etc from salt & grime corrosion. What do you think ? Fair ?

[simone42]

I hope you can help, we too are in an older 20 year building of 61 units. The compressors for the split cycle air conditioning units have always been placed on the roof for noise and appearance purposes. All replacements have remained on the roof. We have no by laws that address this particularly, relying on the law of no structural changes can be made to the building without the approval of the executive committee. Cooperation has prevailed. Until now. A recent new owner has installed her compressor on the balcony with the accompanying noise for the neighbours. She has been asked to remove it to the roof and she refuses. She states she is appealing this decision at an ACT “tribunal” . Could you give us any guidance on what we need to do to maintain the peace and appearance of our building. Thank you.

[simone42]

Thanks for your information – I will try to arrange with the strata manager to email me the minutes – on a separate mailing list than the EC

[simone42]

 

Thanks Whale – will try to get the EC to be alarmed as I am. Although I think it may take another unusual big spend outside this restriction (which is why we put this restriction on in the first place….! ) to get them to be more alert.

 

[simone42]

I feel your pain – when the strata manager and EC goes wrong it can go really wrong. I have found Fair Trading helpful 13 32 20. Call them and they may be able to point you in a direction to make everyone more accountable. Good Luck

[simone42]

Thanks – I will see what we actually paid for as we agreed on a trimming quote – and he has done a whole lot more than that ! Any ideas why you would want your fence fixed and fence line denatured when you are trying to get it developed .?

[Author]

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