Essential Safety Measures Reports

Commercial and industrial building owners in Victoria have ongoing obligations to maintain and report on essential safety measures. We conduct inspections and prepare the compliance documentation required under the Building Regulations.

What Are Essential Safety Measures?

Essential Safety Measures (ESM) are the fire and life safety features installed in buildings to protect occupants. Common ESM include:

Fire extinguishers and fire blankets
Fire hose reels and hydrants
Smoke alarms and detection systems
Emergency lighting
Exit signs and emergency exit doors
Fire doors and smoke doors
Sprinkler systems
Mechanical ventilation and smoke exhaust

The specific ESM in your building depend on its classification, size, and the activities conducted within it.

Your Legal Obligations

Maintain ESM

Building owners must maintain all essential safety measures to the required standard. This means regular testing, servicing, and repair of safety equipment.

Annual Reporting

Each year, building owners must prepare and display an Annual Essential Safety Measures Report confirming that all ESM have been maintained and are operational.

Keep Records

Maintenance records must be kept for at least 10 years and made available for inspection by the relevant building surveyor or council.

Display Reports

The current Annual ESM Report must be displayed in a prominent location within the building, typically near the main entrance.

Our ESM Services

Annual ESM Reports

We conduct site inspections and prepare the annual report documenting the status of all essential safety measures in your building. Our report confirms compliance or identifies any maintenance required.

Fire Lease Reports

When leasing commercial property, landlords may require a Fire Lease Report documenting the fire safety status of the premises. We prepare comprehensive reports for lease transactions.

Compliance Gap Analysis

If you're unsure whether your building meets current requirements, we conduct a gap analysis identifying any ESM deficiencies and recommending corrective actions.

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Who Needs ESM Reports?

ESM requirements apply to most commercial and industrial buildings.

Office Buildings

Class 5 buildings used as offices typically require ESM maintenance and annual reporting.

Shops & Retail

Class 6 buildings including shops, restaurants, and cafes have ESM obligations.

Warehouses & Factories

Class 7 and 8 buildings used for storage, manufacturing, or production require ESM compliance.

Multi-Unit Residential

Class 2 and 3 buildings (apartment buildings, boarding houses) have specific ESM requirements.

Healthcare Facilities

Class 9a buildings including hospitals and healthcare facilities have stringent ESM requirements.

Public Buildings

Class 9b buildings including schools, assembly buildings, and public venues require comprehensive ESM programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

You need to prepare an Annual Essential Safety Measures Report each year. Individual ESM components may require more frequent inspection and testing—for example, fire extinguishers require six-monthly checks, while emergency lighting requires monthly testing.

Failure to maintain ESM or submit required reports can result in significant penalties. More importantly, non-compliant safety measures put building occupants at risk and may affect your insurance coverage in the event of an incident.

Absolutely. ESM compliance issues can be costly to rectify. We can conduct a pre-purchase ESM assessment to identify any compliance gaps before you commit to the purchase.

Yes. All buildings with essential safety measures must maintain them regardless of age. Older buildings must maintain the ESM that were required when they were built or upgraded. We can help you understand exactly what obligations apply to your specific building.