News
Victoria: Fire Services Property Levy
From 1 July 2013, the Victorian Government will require councils throughout Victoria to collect a Fire Services Property Levy on their behalf in conjunction with their standard property rates.
Currently, insurers are required to contribute to the cost of operating the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the Country Fire Authority. The insurance industry passes the cost of this contribution on to policy-holders through an amount in their insurance premiums, known as a fire services levy.
UK: Buildings less fire safe by refurbishment
I follow various fire safety news feeds to keep abreast of the problems associated with fire and related emergencies throughout the world.
Over the past week there has been a lot of press from the United Kingdom about a fire in Camberwell, London at Lakanal House. Lakanal House a 14 storey residential apartment building was constructed in the late 1950's and completed in the the early 1960's. On July 3, 2009 a fire in an apartment on the 9th floor caused six people to die and 20 people were injured.
Changes to CFA & MFB Act - Damage or Interfere with Fire Indicator Panel or other apparatus!
Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Act 2012 (Vic) was proclaimed in Victoria on December 1, 2012.
Australian Standard AS1851:2012 - Published
Australian Standard AS1851:2012 is a completely new edition of the Standard, published on December 3, 2012.
This new edition has been under review for over three years and has received input from a wide range of contributors including Australian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC), Department of Defence, Department of Human Services (Vic), Fire Protection Association Australia, Engineers Australia, Property Council and representatives from Standards Australia Technical Committees.
The Standard also has a new title, changing from "Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment" to "Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment".
