Cladding products are commonly used by designers and builders all over the world. They’re often used as decorative features on external walls of buildings.
In recent years, the material has been linked to the rapid spread of fires in buildings in Victoria, such as the Lacrosse Building in Southbank in 2014. It has also contributed to tragic building fires overseas.
The State Government, through the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), is responding to this issue. An initial audit instigated by the VBA in 2015 identified a number of buildings in Stonnington with non-compliant cladding.
We continue to participate in the State Government’s audit process to ensure that buildings in Stonnington are safe to occupy and meet the requirements of the building regulations.
Who defines non-compliant use of a building product?
In Australia, the rules about how buildings must be constructed are set out in the National Construction Code (NCC). A non-compliant use of a building product is when a product is used in situations where it does not comply with the requirements of the NCC.
Victorian Cladding Taskforce
In July 2017 the Victorian State Government established the Victorian Cladding Taskforce to:
- investigate the extent of non-compliant and non-conforming external cladding on Victorian buildings
- advise on the rectification of non-compliant and non-conforming external cladding
- recommend changes to the regulatory system.
The initial focus of the Taskforce will involve assessing external cladding on residential and accommodation buildings three storeys or above, as well as hospitals, schools and aged care facilities two storeys or above.
To view Taskforce reports on the non-compliant use of building materials in Victoria visit the Victorian Cladding Taskforce section of the Victorian Government’s planning website.
Fire safety actions
Recommended fire safety action for residents, building owners, owners’ corporations and facilities managers are outlined in the Taskforce Advisory Note 1: Fire Safety Actions.
Guidelines for fire safety on balconies are available from Fire Rescue Victoria (previously known as Metropolitan Fire Brigade).
Further information
For comprehensive information on the Victorian Statewide Cladding Audit, including resources for residents, owners, owners’ corporations and building practitioners, visit the Victorian Statewide Cladding Audit section of the Victorian Building Authority website