Fire and occupancy compliance

Work and handover

We review the available occupancy and fire records, identify the competent authority and coordinate document dependencies with the owner and technical professionals. The assignment tracks the conditions and gaps relevant to the proposed use.

Create a register identifying the building, floor or unit covered by each document, its issuing authority and any attached conditions. Separate records supplied by the owner from documents concerning the occupier’s fit-out or activity. Missing or unclear coverage becomes a specific request for clarification rather than an assumption that one certificate covers the whole proposal.

Location-specific evidence

• Building approvals
• occupancy records
• fire documents
• proposed activity and capacity
• layouts
• lease obligations
• prior inspections.

Compare the available approved drawings with the dated layout proposed for occupation and flag differences for the technical team. Retain inspection observations and evidence of any stated corrective work together. The coordination file should identify who can verify each technical point; a document being present does not establish that the physical installation matches it.

A point to resolve early

A landlord’s general assurance should be checked against documents for the relevant building, floor and use. A changed layout can introduce a new question.

For a tenant changing the internal layout, provide the earlier and proposed plans to the appointed professionals and identify the change in use or occupancy described by the business. Record their assessment and any authority steps they identify. A landlord’s email consenting to the fit-out is a different record from an applicable statutory permission or technical confirmation.

Scope and authority process

Engineering design, installation, testing and safety certification are performed by separately appointed competent professionals.

The written engagement identifies the location, authority, application stage and fees. Government charges and third-party costs are addressed separately; authority approval is not guaranteed.

The handover distinguishes documents obtained, questions referred to professionals, applications submitted and decisions received. Assign owners to conditions and follow-up actions, preserving the evidence used to close each item. Documentary coordination does not certify the premises as safe to occupy or replace the inspections and technical confirmations required for the actual site.