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- Apply for and manage building permits (replaces BAMS)
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What we did and why
We supported 2 Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) that explored potential monitoring and remediation solutions for combustible cladding on buildings.
In 2018, the Australian government awarded 2 CRC-P research and development (R&D) grants to Flame Security International (FSI), in partnership with the University of New South Wales. These grants supported R&D for a non-toxic range of fire-resistant textiles and polymers and an Autonomous Intelligent Fire Protection System.
Our involvement from 2020 in the 2 CRC-P projects formed part of a broader response to the identification of combustible cladding on residential and public buildings in Victoria. Through these projects, we worked with research and industry partners to support research into:
- a fire-retardant treatment that could be applied to combustible materials, and
- an autonomous fire monitoring and protection system designed to detect and respond to fire risks.
The intent was to explore whether there were additional, potentially lower-cost ways to improve building safety, either while buildings await rectification or as part of longer-term solutions.
We shared with researchers the test specifications from our full-scale façade test for EPS and EIFS as an external wall system on Class 2-9 buildings to enable a baseline comparison for the full-scale testing of a fire retardant membrane over EPS using similar construction and testing design.
What we found
The projects highlighted the complexity of developing and testing new fire safety solutions for use on existing buildings.
Our involvement focused on sharing regulatory expertise and supporting rigorous testing and evaluation of proposed technologies to assess whether they could be suitable for real‑world building applications. This included collaboration with research institutions and industry partners working across multiple jurisdictions.
The research also reinforced the importance of strong evidence and testing when considering new approaches to managing fire risk associated with combustible cladding.
What difference this made
By participating in these CRC‑P projects, we contributed to national research efforts aimed at improving fire safety and exploring alternative approaches to managing combustible cladding risks.
Our involvement supported research and development and strengthened collaboration between regulators, researchers and industry partners. It also aligned with our broader role in promoting research relevant to the regulation of the building and plumbing industries in Victoria.