Changes to building code to keep kids safe

Changes to the Australian Building Code aimed at making new apartment windows safer for children take effect from May 2013 across Australia. BCS Strata Management welcomes the change but wants to get the message out to all owners and tenants in existing apartments, that they too can easily make their windows safe in just a few minutes for just a few dollars.

Group Chief Executive Officer Greg Haywood says the changes to the Australian Building Code mean that from last week all new apartment buildings constructed across the country are required to fit each opening window above the ground floor with a safety device preventing them from opening more than 12.5 centimetres.

“For some time BCS has been working with property developers to ensure before building construction starts that the building plans take into consideration the living needs of the eventual inhabitants. From this week we will also remind them of the need to install locks or barriers to ensure the safety of our youngest inhabitants,” Mr Haywood said.

On 13 March, the NSW Government also announced a package of reforms aimed at addressing the number of fatalities and injuries suffered as a result of children falling from windows. This is in response to a report prepared by the Westmead Children’s Hospital into this issue.

“We welcomed the NSW government’s discussion paper seeking views on its proposal to mandate the installation of safety devices on all windows that prevent the risk to children in strata complexes,” Mr Haywood said.

“The NSW government has indicated that it would phase in this mandatory requirement over the next five years and will form part of the current legislation as well as its successor legislation.

Submissions to the NSW Government discussion paper closed recently.

For existing buildings there are a number of products on the market which are easy and inexpensive to install and provide a good level of safety regardless of whether the apartment is occupied by owners or tenants.

“While individuals are already able to install window locking devices themselves we would also encourage owners corporations and bodies corporate to take this issue on board and ensure every window above ground floor level is safe by installing devices where it is practical to do so.”

BCS has been educating its apartment owners about the dangers of children playing near windows which are unsecured.