Building Inspections and Maintenance Checklist

Strata complexes should be inspected at regular intervals to identify deterioration and required maintenance work – such as cleaning and painting, and attending to lighting and fire safety. Managing strata is multifaceted, involving many elements, across many parties. This checklist, though not exhaustive, provides a framework including items for consideration to support inspection maintenance plans.

Building Management System

• Cleaning and general maintenance interior and exterior
• Pest inspection
• Bird-proofing
• Common property external and internal. Please note, some common property may be within lots
  – Electrical meter/switch boards
  – Is the enclosure water tight?
• Does the electrical switchboard meet the demands of additional power draw without the risk of overheating? (Installation of split system air-conditioners increases draw upon power significantly)
• Can units be readily located/identified via the main point of entry egress onto the property?
• Are gas and water and electrical isolation valves and switches readily identifiable/located for each individual unit?
• Regular clearing of roof drainage systems/gutters
• Regular maintenance of sump pumps and basement drainage systems.

Dangerous goods – storage

• Paints
• Fuel
• Kerosene
• Diesel
• Petrol
• Paint thinner
• Primer
• Oil
• Glue
• Solvents
• Cleaning chemicals
• Dry cleaning chemicals
• Pool chemicals
• Unlawful, dumped goods.

Emergency Management

• Emergency contact list
• Building safety features
• Emergency Control Organisation
• Warden duties
• Evacuation procedures
• Stages of evacuation
• Site/floor plans
• Building security
• Checklists

Energy efficiency

• Embedded network and micro-grids
• Lighting
• Air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems
• Maintenance and replacement of globes
• Lifts
• Building external lighting
• Lighting in lobbies, stairs and hallways
• Hot water supply and circulation pumps
• Carpark ventilation
• Exhaust fans
• Pool and spa water filtration and pumps
• Security systems, doors and gates
• Pumps/fans
• Cold water supply (lift and pressure pumps)

Fire protection equipment

• Air conditioning systems
• Alarms
• Emergency lifts and lighting
• Emergency power supply
• Emergency warning systems
• Exit doors and exit signs
• Fire control centres
• Fire curtains and doors
• Fire detectors and alarm systems
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire hydrants
• Fire isolated stairs, passages, ramps
• Fire-rated materials
• Fire windows
• Mechanical ventilation
• Path of travel to exits
• Smoke detection alarms
• Smoke control systems
• Sprinkler systems

Gardening and grounds maintenance

• Duty to maintain and repair common property
• Boundary fencing
• Grounds including gardens/trees

Security

• Security access systems
• Perimeter protection
• Access and traffic management
• Parking
  – Residents/visitors
  – Line marking
  – Vehicle impact risk (fences, low awnings etc.)
  – Inspection to ensure strong bollards in place in front of gas tanks, water pumps etc
• Emergency management
• Internal security
• Systems management
• Security cameras
• Lighting
• Access and egress
  – Elevator maintenance/upgrades
  – Garage doors/security gates
  – Doors
  – Pool maintenance/safety
  – Heating ventilation and air conditioning
• Pools and surrounds including fencing and gates
• Signage

Trip and slip hazards All internal and external areas

• Doors/thresholds/entrances
• Drainage/water run off
• Electrical wires
• Floor coverings i.e.tiles/carpet/timber/joins
• Floor levels/ridges
• Footpaths/driveways
• Furniture
• Gardens i.e. moss/vegetation/hazards
• Handrails
• Inclines/ramps
• Lifts
• Lighting
• Obstructions/obstacles
• Potholes and cracks
• Spills of liquid or solid material
• Step levels
• Stairways
• Storage areas
• Stormwater
• Surfaces i.e. dust or sand
• Wet to dry areas

Waste management

• Provision of separate storage and recycling spaces
• Provision of hard waste collection locations
• Provision of charity bins in waste rooms or car parks
• Managing cleaning subcontractors to ensure that waste is separated and appropriately disposed of
• Monitoring and reporting on waste performance
• Education for residents on waste efficiency

Water

• Water efficiency
• Building leak detection and management including balconies/ windows
• Plumbing
• Guttering, downpipes and roofing systems
• Stormwater run-off

This page’s content was last updated on 8 Jun 2020.