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Building Fire Safety

Building Fire Safety in Budget Accommodation Buildings information webContents of this section:


On-the-spot fines

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is introducing on-the-spot fines for breaches of the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 and Building Fire Safety Regulation 1991.

The on-the-spot fines system adds to the enforcement options available to the QFRS to ensure adequate fire safety standards are maintained.

As part of the new process, Fire Officers are able to issue infringement notices to building owners and occupiers who have committed breaches of fire safety.

The QFRS is responsible for the protection of people, property and the environment from fire and hazardous substance incidents, and for the rescue of persons trapped in motor vehicles, buildings and other emergency situations. This role involves a range of services including incident response; community safety; fire prevention education and advice; inspections; and investigation and prosecution aimed at enforcing compliance with fire safety legislation in both urban and rural areas.

The QFRS has, in the last decade, expanded and developed its role from a single focus re-active fire service to one that combines supervision with pro-active ‘preventative’ initiatives for community safety. An initiative to implement community education and public awareness programs has paid off with the success of this initiative evident in a dramatic reduction in loss of life and property due to structure fires - from 42 fire fatalities in the period 1994-1995 to 27 in 1998-1999.

One of the key functions of the QFRS is to inspect buildings to ensure they meet required fire safety standards in compliance with the Fire and Rescue Service Act 1990 (link to the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website), the Building Fire Safety Regulation 1991 and Building Code of Australia 90 and 96. This has effectively increased public safety and decreased the number of buildings being lost or damaged by fire.

The Childers backpacker hostel fire tragically claimed 15 lives. A review of budget accommodation throughout Queensland strongly indicated the need for a more robust enforcement regime. The introduction of an Infringement Notice system to allow "on-the-spot fines" to encourage occupiers and owners to comply with Building Fire Safety requirements became necessary. The Infringement Notices penalty system commenced on 1st December 2001 and is designed to reinforce the importance to occupiers and owners of their fire safety responsibilities.

Penalties for breaches vary according to the level and type of breach. Penalties range from $75.00 to $7500.00. Click here for a list of the breaches and penalties (PDF / 36.8 KB).

For further information please contact your nearest Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Community Safety Office or alternatively, read the following Fact Sheet (PDF / 51 KB)

 Region  Office  Phone Number
     

 Far North

 Cairns

  (07) 4042 5460

 

 

 

 Northern

 Townsville

 (07) 4724 4327

 

 

 

 Central

 Mackay

 (07) 4953 0581

 

 Rockhampton

 (07) 4938 4890

 

 

 

 North Coast

 Bundaberg

 (07) 4150 7990

 

 Caloundra

 (07) 5436 4210

 

 Maryborough

 (07) 4121 7841

 

 

 

 South East

 Beenleigh

 (07) 3884 8288

 

 Ipswich

 (07) 3280 6806

 

 Southport

 (07) 5583 7578

 

 

 

 South West

 Toowoomba

 (07) 4638 2844

 

 

 

 Brisbane

 Brisbane (North)

 (07) 3247 8045

 

 Brisbane (South)

 (07) 3362 9932


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Last updated 5 April 2006