Essential Safety Measures (ESM) Compliance in Victoria

Ensure Your Building Meets Victorian Safety Standards

Need Help With Essential Safety Measures (ESM)?

Keeping your property compliant with Victoria’s stringent safety regulations is essential, not just for legal adherence but to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone who uses your building.

At Kairos, we help property owners and managers navigate complex Essential Safety Measures (ESMs), ensuring compliance with the Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 2018.

Why ESM Compliance Matters

Victoria’s laws require that all Class 1b–9 buildings adhere to strict safety standards to protect lives, minimise risks, and ensure building functionality.

Essential Safety Measures (ESMs) not only safeguard building occupants and users but also protect adjoining buildings and passers-by. Failing to abide by ESMs puts occupants and those in surrounding facilities at risk.

Properly maintained ESMs can:

Provide critical time for safe evacuation during emergencies.
Reduce risks for surrounding facilities.
Reduce the likelihood of fire or smoke spreading.
Mitigate damage and disruption.

Types of Buildings That Must Comply

Essential safety measures apply to all buildings apart from a house or outbuilding. This includes:

Class 1b:

Small boarding houses, hostels, or guesthouses

Class 2:

Apartment buildings and flats

Class 3:

Backpacker accommodation, aged care, or residential parts of hotels/motels

Class 4:

Dwellings within other classes of buildings

Class 5:

Office buildings

Class 6:

Shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars

Class 7:

Car parks and warehouses

Class 8:

Laboratories and factories

Class 9:

Public buildings, including healthcare facilities and assembly halls

Roles and Responsibilities in Essential Safety Measures

Building Owners

Building owners are ultimately responsible for ensuring that all essential safety measures within their properties are maintained, operational, and compliant with the Building Regulations 2018. They must:

Keep accurate records of all ESM maintenance and testing.
Ensure that paths of travel to exits are clear and accessible.
Prepare and submit the Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR).

Occupants

Occupants share some responsibilities, particularly in maintaining clear access to exits and avoiding interference with any safety measures such as fire doors, extinguishers, or smoke alarms.

Facility Managers

Facility managers often act on behalf of owners to oversee day-to-day ESM compliance. They coordinate testing, inspections, and maintenance, ensuring that all work aligns with regulatory standards and deadlines.

Contractors and Auditors

ESM contractors and auditors conduct inspections, perform maintenance, and prepare compliance documentation. Their expertise ensures that all measures meet the standards outlined in the Building Act and Regulations.

Regulatory Authorities

Authorities such as the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) enforce compliance by conducting audits and investigations. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and legal consequences.

The Cost Of Non-Compliance

Building owners are required to provide ESM reports for inspection within 24 hours of notice from the fire brigade’s chief officer or the municipal building surveyor.

It is the building owner’s responsibility to ensure that all essential safety measures are maintained, inspected, and repaired as needed, with accurate records kept.

Failure to meet these obligations can result in substantial penalties, including fines exceeding $35,000 for individuals and over $245,000 for corporations, which may be issued by the Council or Fire Authority.

How Kairos Helps You Stay Compliant

Comprehensive
Audits

We thoroughly audit all Essential Safety Measures in your building, including:

Fire Safety Systems: Fire doors, sprinklers, hydrants, and extinguishers
Emergency and Exit Lighting (EEL): Provides visibility during emergencies for safe evacuation.
Egress Paths: Clear, unobstructed routes for safe evacuation.
Smoke Hazard Management Systems: Air handling, pressurisation, and smoke control
Occupant Warning Systems: Emergency intercom and alarm systems
Mechanical Ventilation Systems: Compliance for cooling towers and HVAC systems

Our approach ensures every measure is documented and aligned with Schedule 8 of the Building Regulations 2018.

Tailored Compliance
Planning

Every building is different. We customise a compliance strategy to address your unique challenges, from identifying maintenance gaps to prioritising upgrades and aligning with the latest standards, such as NCC, AS1851, AS2293 etc.

End-to-End
Management

From audits to ongoing maintenance, Kairos ensures all your ESMs are managed seamlessly throughout their lifecycle. We help ensure compliance and peace of mind year after year.

Seamless
Integration

Our ESM services integrate effortlessly with your systems, ensuring your Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR) is accurate and audit-ready.

What Sets Kairos Apart

Proven Expertise

Decades of experience across government, healthcare, and commercial properties mean we handle even the most complex services with confidence.

Attention to Detail

Our trade-based auditors know how systems connect, identifying the details that matter most to your building’s safety and compliance.

Safe Practices

With OH&S inductions and Safe Work Method Statements, we prioritise safety, even in high-risk environments like hospitals and hazardous sites.

Clear Delivery

Fixed-scope projects, with set budgets and timelines, ensure you get exactly what you need – no surprises.

Reliable QA

Multi-stage QA processes, pilot testing, and stakeholder alignment eliminate errors and keep your project on track.

Real-Time
Tracking:

Stay informed with live progress updates that reduce risks and keep you in control.

Purpose-Built Technology:

Our proprietary tool, Audify, captures every critical detail with precision and integrates seamlessly into your CMMS.

Victorian-Owned Business:

As a local business, we specialise in Victoria’s Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 2018, tailoring solutions for metro and regional properties.

Contact Us To Find Out More

It’s never too early to understand how precision data capture can enhance the effectiveness of your asset management strategy. Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.