AboutAESI

AESI is a leading service provider and advisor on Essential Safety Measures to commercial property owners and managing agents throughout Victoria.

Established in 2009, AESI focuses on working with leading Real Estate Agents in providing a high quality range of products and services that add value to the Agents commercial and industrial rental portfolio. In what is a complex world of legislation and statutory building regulations, our aim is to assist property owners and protect their investments by ensuring that all Essential Safety Measures in the property meet and comply with current requirements.

Likewise, the AESI maintenance inspection and reporting system is highly efficient and in a short time it has become well established in over 5000 commercial properties throughout Victoria. Our all important auditing process cuts through the “red tape” and provides a quick turn around in meeting the strict requirements of the Building Commission.

Certainty Supply

100% Quality

Value

Minimal Risk

5 FACTS FOR LANDLORDS

1.ESM Responsibility

The Building Act of 2006 and the Building Regulations part 12 stipulate that the owner of a commercial building is responsible for ensuring the maintenance and upkeep of the Essential Safety Measures that form part of the property.

2.ESM Maintenance Program

Under the legislation, an Essential Safety Measures maintenance program includes inspection reports on the traditional fire-fighting equipment, fire resistant structures, exit doors and correct locking devices, discharge from exits, paths of travel, exit signs and emergency lighting, smoke control, ventilation and air conditioning units.

3.ESM Annual Reporting

In accordance with the legislation and maintenance checks, property owners are also required to provide a signed annual ESM Report showing that they have fulfilled all obligations in relation to complying with the safety measures regulations and
standards.

4. ESM Enforcement and Penalties

Fire Officers and the Municipal Building Surveyors are the authorities responsible to ensure public safety and as such are responsible for enforcing penalties as determined under the Building Act. This obligation includes the conduct of regular, random audits on commercial properties across Victoria.

Non-compliance may result in an infringement notice being issued by Council or the Fire Authority with a fine over $280 and furthermore, non-compliance may result in prosecution in which a fine may be imposed of over $1,400 under the Regulations, or of over $17,000 for an individual or over $86,000 for companies for each breach. More importantly, non-compliance could place not only building occupants at risk but also those of passers-by and the occupants of adjoining buildings. Common infringement
examples include:

  • Fire extinguishers not tagged as being serviced in the last 6 months.
  • Exit lights with no log book on site showing completed 90 minute, 6 monthly test results.
5.ESMs and the Lease

It is now good practice for many commercial property lease agreements to stipulate that Essential Safety Measures are properly located and maintained at a level that provides correct operation in an emergency.

Australian Essential Safety Inspections, Suite 13, 476 Canterbury Rd, Forest Hill VIC 3131