Does Your Victorian Property Need A Commercial Fire System Audit During The Defect Liability Period (DLP)?

Imagine this: you take over a brand-new commercial property, assuming everything is up to code.

A year later, your fire alarm system malfunctions – right after your Defect Liability Period (DLP) expires.

Now, the entire cost of repairs is on you.

Sounds like a stressful situation, right?
Unfortunately, this happens far too often.

So, how can you protect yourself and your property from this risk?

You can get a DLP Fire System Audit so hidden defects in your fire safety system don’t become your financial responsibility.

At Fire & Wire, we help Victorian commercial property managers catch and fix defects before the DLP expires, ensuring that installers are held accountable for their work – before it’s too late.
Let’s find out if your property needs a DLP Fire System Audit – keep reading.

What is the Defect Liability Period (DLP)?

The Defect Liability Period (DLP) is a 12-month window after a building is completed where the original contractor is legally responsible for fixing any defects. This includes fire safety systems, which must be installed correctly and function as required by Victorian regulations.

During the DLP, property managers and owners have the right to request repairs, replacements or adjustments at no additional cost – but only if issues are identified in time.

A Defect Liability Period (DLP) fire system audit is essential to catch defects while they're still the contractor’s responsibility — protecting you from costly repairs and compliance risks later on.

Once the DLP ends, the responsibility for fire system maintenance, compliance and costly repairs falls entirely on the building owner. If defects go unnoticed during this period, they can lead to significant financial losses and compliance failures down the track.

This is why a DLP fire system audit is crucial – it ensures that any fire protection faults are caught while they’re still covered under the contractor’s liability.

What happens when you miss the fire system’s DLP window?

Many don’t realise that the first 12 months post-construction is the only window of time to hold the original installer accountable for any faults in the fire safety system. Once that period is over, compliance, maintenance and unexpected repair costs become your responsibility.

We’ve seen it too many times – property managers assume their commercial fire systems are working as intended (which honestly, is a fair assumption once you’ve paid for a service), only to face expensive surprises later.

Without a proactive fire system audit, defects often remain unnoticed until after the DLP lapses. That’s when the real costs begin to add up.

Here’s what typically happens:

• No independent audit is conducted within the first year.
• The DLP expires, shifting responsibility for fire system maintenance and repairs to the building owner.
• Issues begin appearing: faulty sprinkler systems, malfunctioning alarms or non-compliant fire exits.
• The original installer is no longer obligated to fix them, leaving the property owner with tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair costs.

With a Defect Liability Period (DLP) Audit, these issues can be caught early, saving you from unnecessary financial strain.

How do you know if you need a DLP Fire System Audit?

If you’re managing a newly built commercial property in Victoria, it’s essential to ask the following question within the first 12 months:

• Has your fire safety system been independently inspected within the first 12 months?
• Do you have complete documentation proving that all fire protection measures are fully compliant?
• Have you confirmed that the original installer has completed everything they were contracted to do?

If you answered no (or even a maybe) to any of these questions, now is the time to schedule a DLP audit.

Remember: proactive planning saves time, money and risk in the long run.

What can you expect when expert Victorian fire technicians conduct a fire safety system audit during the Defect Liability Period?

Instead of leaving fire safety to chance, a DLP Audit ensures that your fire system is fully compliant and functioning correctly while the installer is still responsible for addressing any issues.

Fire & Wire’s DLP Fire Safety Audits include:

• Comprehensive Inspections
  We assess fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency exits and all fire safety measures for regulatory compliance.
• Installer Accountability
  If we find faults, you can ensure the original installer fixes them before their responsibility ends.
• Regulatory Compliance Assurance
  We verify that your property meets all Victorian fire safety standards, helping you avoid costly penalties in the future.

By taking a proactive approach, we help you eliminate risks, avoid unexpected costs and ensure long-term fire safety compliance – all without spending a cent on post-DLP fire safety system repairs.

What are the benefits of Fire & Wire’s DLP Audits in Victoria?

We specialise in fire safety compliance and system audits for commercial properties in Victoria. Unlike installation companies, we have nothing to gain in overlooking faults – so you can trust us to be objective and focus solely on ensuring your building is safe and compliant.

Key benefits of early fire safety audits also include:

• Catch defects early and have them fixed while they’re still covered under the installer’s warranty, saving you from costly post-DLP repairs.
• Ensure that any installation faults are identified and resolved before the warranty period ends, so you’re not left covering the costs.
• Verify that all fire safety systems – alarms, sprinklers, emergency exits – are working exactly as they should before the liability shifts to you.
• Stay ahead of Victorian fire safety laws, avoid non-compliance penalties, and maintain a fully certified and compliant property.
• Minimise fire risks, keep workers and tenants safe and prevent disruptions that could impact business continuity.

Your Defect Liability Period (DLP) is your limited-time opportunity to ensure your fire safety systems are fully functional, compliant and free from hidden defects – without the financial burden falling on you.

Contact Fire & Wire for a DLP Fire Safety Audit today.

If your property is in its first-year post-installation, feel free to ask us about a full audit – don’t wait until the Defect Liability Period ends.

As a nimble Melbourne ESM provider that combines unmatched in-house expertise, tailored solutions and innovative technology, our passionate team of fire safety experts offers you fire safety compliance, proactive maintenance and peace of mind.

Our experienced team ensures that your properties are safeguarded against fire risks, all while maintaining compliance and protecting your reputation.

If you’re ready for a more personalised, proactive and agile approach to fire safety audits, Fire & Wire is your team.