The use of combustible cladding on buildings is a safety concern for Queenslanders. The Queensland Government has recently amended the Building Regulation 2021. New laws came into effect from 1 October 2018 initially under the Building Regulation 2006, (now superseded by the Building Regulation 2021), where some building owners may be required to register their buildings and complete the combustible cladding checklist.

We have a role to play in mitigating the risks that combustible cladding presents to the community. This includes:

• Working with other government agencies to assess risk; and
• Increasing operational response where necessary

We have developed a position statement informing stakeholders involved in building development in Queensland of expectations with respect to the fire safety performance of buildings affected by combustible cladding.

If you own or manage a building you believe may have cladding on its exterior, or for further information, visit the Safer Buildings website.

What is building cladding?

Cladding is a skin or covering attached or applied to the external wall (outside) of a building to protect the building from the effects of weather. For the purposes of Part 4A of the Building Regulation 2006, "cladding" is defined as including sarking and insulation. This definition is consistent with the Queensland Government Guideline for Assessing Buildings with Combustible Cladding (PDF, 1.72MB) and the Building and Other Legislation (Cladding) Amendment Regulation 2018 - Explanatory Note (PDF, 34KB).

Cladding Support Unit

We have established a Cladding Support Unit (CSU) to assess any increased operational response requirements to buildings that are potentially affected by combustible cladding. When we are notified of these buildings via the Safer Buildings website one of our officers will contact the building representative to organise a site visit to conduct an Operational Risk Audit.

The Operational Risk Audit visit will include:

• Examining the building's cladding type, quantity and location;
• Inspecting the building's fire safety systems maintenance records; and
• Inspecting the building's evacuation plans and records of evacuation training.

If rectification works are undertaken, we will be required to provide advice to the Assessment Manager as a referral advice agency under the Planning Act 2016.

Enquiries that are specific to us should be sent to QFES.CladdingSupportUnit@qfes.qld.gov.au.

General Cladding Enquiries

If you have an enquiry about what action needs to be taken with existing buildings, we recommend that you refer to the Safer Buildings website as your first point of reference.

This website will provide you with:

• Key legislative dates;
• Information about building registration;
• Access to the online registration portal;
• Information about how to find a Building Industry Professional or Fire Engineer to assist you with the assessment of existing buildings; and
• General information and resources about combustible cladding.

If this information does not answer your general enquiry, further assistance may be sought from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) by calling 139 333, submitting and completing a QBCC general enquiries and feedback form or visiting a QBCC office.