As the heat of the New South Wales summer fades and autumn sets in, many strata schemes and residential buildings transition their focus indoors. However, this transition is the perfect time to address two often-overlooked fire hazards in communal areas: the residual grease of the summer BBQ and the accumulation of waste in Refuse rooms.
For strata managers across Newcastle, the Central Coast, and Sydney, managing these communal risks is essential for compliance and resident safety. At Promaster Protection, we help you identify and eliminate these risks before they escalate.
Here are the key fire safety checks you must enforce in communal areas in the post summer season.
Throughout the summer, communal BBQs get heavy use, leading to a significant build-up of flammable grease, oils, and char—a leading cause of accidental fire.
The Hazards:
- Built up Grease: Residual grease in drip trays, on cooking plates, and underneath the BBQ surface is highly flammable. An unattended spark or ember can easily ignite this build-up.
The Protections:
- Cleanout Protocol: Enforce a strict post summer cleanout protocol. This goes beyond simple plate cleaning and requires a deep clean of grease traps and drip trays.
- Equipment Check: Verify the fire extinguisher mounted near the communal BBQ is easily accessible and correctly serviced. Ensure it is a suitable type for grease fires (usually ABE or a wet chemical extinguisher for commercial setups).
- Rule Reinforcement: Remind residents that portable heating or fire pits are strictly prohibited on balconies or near communal cooking areas.
Refuse rooms are one of the most common fire initiation points in strata buildings. The hazards are compounded in March as residents often use this time to dispose of large items, packaging, and unwanted goods accumulated over the summer.
The Hazards:
- Obstruction of Exits: Waste rooms and their nearby hallways must never be used for temporary storage. Boxes, old furniture, or even excess recycling can quickly block doors, fire exits, and access points for emergency services.
- Ignition Sources: Rubbish is highly combustible. Fires often start from carelessly discarded smoking materials or faulty electrical appliances that haven’t been safely disposed of.
The Protections:
- Enforce Clear Paths: Ensure all doors, including the main entry and any emergency exits, are kept entirely clear.
- Correct Disposal: Remind residents of the rules for disposing of old batteries, e-waste, and smoking materials safely and separately.
- Extinguisher Check: The fire extinguisher in or near the Refuse room must be visible, charged, and inspected as part of your routine AS1851 maintenance.
Your diligence in maintaining communal areas is an integral part of your building’s overall fire safety strategy. It’s what prevents a small fire hazard from becoming a major incident.
Promaster Protection provides the professional, meticulous service your strata scheme needs, ensuring that not only your active systems but also your high-risk communal areas are compliant and safe.
Contact Promaster Protection today to schedule an autumn inspection of your communal areas and ensure your building is compliant as the season changes.