Fire Safety Checklist: Eight Questions Every Strata Committee in Victoria Should Be Asking

By Pryce Sprague

IN SUMMARY

Fire safety appears on almost every strata committee agenda.

The challenge is that many committee members know it matters but aren’t always sure what they should be asking about servicing, reports, defects and compliance.

This fire safety audit checklist is built for exactly that. A clear set of questions your strata committee can use when discussing your building's Essential Safety Measures, reviewing fire safety reports or evaluating your ESM provider.

What you'll learn in this article:

• Why strata committees need a straightforward fire safety checklist
• The essential questions every committee should be asking
• How to tell if your current ESM provider is giving you the service you deserve
• How to use this checklist in your next strata meeting

Keep reading to discover a checklist you can keep on file for whenever you need.

Why Strata Committees Across Victoria Need a Simple Fire Safety Audit Checklist

Most strata committees don't need to know every technical detail of a fire protection system.

What they do need, though, is enough information to make confident decisions on behalf of their building and the people who occupy it.

By asking the right questions, you'll gain a clearer understanding of your building's fire safety, your compliance obligations and the support you're receiving from your ESM provider.

How to Use this Fire Safety Checklist in Your Strata Meetings

You don't need to turn this into a formal audit every time. Simply work through the questions at your regular meetings or whenever compliance or maintenance comes up for review.

This is especially useful for your AGM, when owners are more likely to ask direct questions about the building's safety and where their levies are going. Having clear answers on hand saves the committee from scrambling for information on the spot.

Making your way through the checklist also gives your committee a clear paper trail, a shared understanding of where the building stands and a straightforward way to flag anything that needs following up, without anyone needing deep technical knowledge of the fire safety systems in place.

Fire Safety Audit Checklist: The Essential Questions Every Strata Committee Should Be Asking

Bring this checklist to your next committee meeting:

1. Who is servicing our Essential Safety Measures?

Your ESM provider should be easy to identify, easy to contact and able to explain the work they're carrying out.

2. How often is our fire safety equipment being serviced?

Different Essential Safety Measures require inspections and maintenance at different intervals. Ask whether servicing is being completed as required and whether your maintenance schedule remains up to date.

3. Are our Essential Safety Measures independently audited?

Regular servicing is important, but it's also valuable to understand whether your systems are independently reviewed as part of your overall compliance program. This provides additional confidence that your building is being managed appropriately.

4. Are we getting an annual report covering everything in the facility?

Your Annual Essential Safety Measures Report should do more than satisfy a compliance requirement.

It should help your committee understand:

✓ what has been inspected

✓ what was found

✓ what requires attention

✓ what actions should be taken next

If reports create more questions than answers, it's worth asking for greater clarity.

5. Do we have any outstanding defects that haven't been rectified?

Not every defect carries the same level of urgency, but every outstanding defect should be understood, prioritised and tracked through to resolution.

Ask:

✓ What defects remain unresolved?

✓ Why haven't they been rectified?

✓ Is there a timeframe for completing the work?

Keeping track of outstanding items helps committees prioritise maintenance and avoid unnecessary surprises later.

6. Are there any outstanding concerns our provider has raised that we haven't dealt with?

A proactive ESM provider shouldn't only be reporting on completed inspections. They should also identify emerging issues, explain potential risks and recommend practical improvements before they become larger problems. Those conversations often provide just as much value as the maintenance itself.

7. Are there any current compliance issues or unresolved risks that could affect the building during a fire emergency?

Your committee should understand whether any current issues could affect the building's ongoing compliance. Identifying potential risks early gives everyone more time to plan, budget and respond appropriately.

8. Is our current ESM provider giving us the level of service we expect?

This is one question committees don't always ask, but it's an important one. Good service goes beyond completing inspections.

Consider whether your provider offers:

✓ clear communication

✓ transparent reporting

✓ accurate asset information

✓ timely responses

✓ practical recommendations

✓ accountability

✓ a clear plan when issues arise

Your provider should make fire safety easier to understand, not more complicated.

These aren't trick questions. They're the standard things every strata committee should be able to answer without hesitation. If issues arise, record it in the meeting minutes so there's a clear paper trail, then request a written response and timeline from your ESM provider.

Fire Safety Should Be a Conversation, Not Just an Agenda Item

Fire safety isn't just another compliance requirement.

It's about understanding whether your building's Essential Safety Measures are being maintained, whether issues are being addressed and whether your current ESM provider is giving your committee the information it needs to make informed decisions.

The clearer your committee is on the right questions, the better equipped it will be to oversee the building’s fire safety.

If your committee wants to dig a little deeper into what proper accountability looks like in practice, we've also written pieces on what to ask your ESM provider and why we benchmark ourselves against international ISO standards.

FAQ: Fire Safety Checklist for Strata Committees

1. Does every strata committee need a fire safety checklist?

A practical fire safety checklist can help strata committees stay on top of important discussions throughout the year. At Fire & Wire, we encourage committees to use these questions as part of every routine meeting, not just during annual reviews. While every building has different requirements, regularly reviewing servicing schedules, compliance reports, outstanding defects and communication from your ESM provider helps committees make proactive and informed decisions rather than reacting to issues later.

2. How often should a strata committee review fire safety?

Fire safety should be discussed at every regular strata committee meeting, particularly if there are outstanding maintenance items, compliance matters or planned building works. Waiting until the AGM may allow smaller issues to go unresolved for months. Regular reviews help committees track progress, understand recommendations from their ESM provider and maintain greater visibility over the building's Essential Safety Measures.

3. What should a strata committee do if there are outstanding fire safety defects?

The first step is understanding exactly what the defect is, how it affects the building and what actions are recommended. Not every defect presents the same level of urgency, but every outstanding item should be monitored until it's resolved. Your ESM provider should clearly explain the issue, provide practical recommendations and keep the committee informed about progress so nothing is overlooked.

4. How do you know if your ESM provider is delivering good service?

A good ESM provider does more than complete inspections. At Fire & Wire, we communicate clearly, provide transparent reporting, maintain accurate asset records and explain any concerns in a way that all members can understand. We also respond promptly, provide practical recommendations and help the committee understand what actions need to be taken. If committee members regularly leave meetings with unanswered questions, it may be worth reviewing the level of service you're receiving.

Discover how Fire & Wire's integrated approach can help simplify your building's fire safety and compliance.

5. Can Fire & Wire help our strata committee better understand our building's fire safety?

Yes. Fire & Wire works closely with Victorian strata committees, Owners Corporations and building managers to help simplify Essential Safety Measures management. Through clear reporting, proactive communication and practical advice, our team helps committees understand their building's fire safety, compliance responsibilities and any actions that may require attention. The goal is to give committees greater confidence when making decisions about their building.

Bring Greater Confidence to Your Next Strata Committee Meeting

Fire safety shouldn't be reduced to a quick agenda item or a report that's filed away without discussion. The right questions, supported by clear advice and transparent reporting, can help your committee better understand your building, make informed decisions and stay on top of ongoing Essential Safety Measures.

As Melbourne's trusted ESM provider, Fire & Wire partners with Victorian strata committees, Owners Corporations and building managers to provide integrated ESM services, practical guidance and clear communication. Whether you're reviewing your current provider or simply want greater confidence in your building's fire safety, we're here to help.

Let's talk fire safety!

Contact Fire & Wire today to discuss your building's Essential Safety Measures and learn how an integrated approach could support your committee.