Essential Safety Measures Maintenance Manual - Building ...

2.5 OPEN ACCESS rAmPS Or BAlCONIES
FOr FIrE-ISOlATEd ExITS
PURPOSE
Open access ramps and balconies are to provide occupants with safe egress from a building.
REQUIREMENTS
Where open access ramps or balconies are provided to meet the smoke hazard management requirements of the Building Code
of Australia they must:–
a) have ventilation openings to outside air which:–
i. have a total unobstructed area not less that the floor area of the ramp or balcony; and
ii. Are evenly distributed along the open sides of the ramp or balcony; and
b) Not be enclosed on the open side above a height of one metre except by an open grille or the like having a free air
space of not less than 75% of its area.
MAINTENANCE CHECKS
It is recommended that the relevant building surveyor should require an annual inspection of the ramps or balconies.
The owner may delegate this function to another person or body where necessary or appropriate.
It is essential to ensure:–
a) No unauthorised alterations have been made that could compromise the integrity of the ventilation requirements;
and
b) No obstruction has occurred by stacking of goods or equipment within these areas.
MAINTENANCE RECORDS
The following information must be recorded:–
a) The dates that monthly and yearly inspections were carried out; and
b) The name of the person conducting the inspections; and
c) Any problems identified in the inspection; and
d) Actions taken to rectify problems identified; and
e) Date rectification occurred; and
f) Signature of the person conducting the inspection.
A log sheet to record this information is provided in Appendix C of this manual.
SECTION 2 / PAGE 6
ESSENTIAL SAFETY MEASURES MAINTENANCE MANUAL • BUILDING COMMISSION
BCA: D2.5