10 January 2024 / Matt Blewitt
High-rise strata property safety
Living the high life has its perks, but are you hyper-aware or somewhat in the dark about the crucial safety issues within your vertical community? Fortunately, embracing high-rise strata safety seriously allows you to relish the view and live well. A bit of planning and organisation can make a substantial difference.
At ASSM, we have over 40 years of experience in strata management, including many high-rise communities. Beyond providing spectacular views, these buildings represent the epitome of modern urban convenience, often featuring substantial amenities and energy-efficient solutions.
Nevertheless, residing at the summit brings practical considerations. Here are our tips for ensuring high-rise strata safety, particularly if you have children or pets.
Safety first when it comes to heights
Living in the heights of a high-rise community brings both luxury and responsibility. Unique hazards accompany this living situation, demanding awareness and preparedness, starting with the building’s emergency evacuation procedures, such as escape routes, assembly points and emergency exits. Most high-rise strata buildings have dedicated stairwells and fire safety measures, and it’s essential for residents to be familiar with these protocols for their own safety during unforeseen events.
In community living situations with numerous residents sharing the same building infrastructure, electrical safety becomes a crucial consideration.
Given the high usage of electrical systems, regular inspections are essential. As a resident, contribute to safety by inspecting wiring, outlets and appliances, and identifying and rectifying potential issues promptly. Strata managers can play a role in promoting safety by ensuring residents understand energy-efficient practices and the responsible use of electrical equipment.
Proper maintenance of communal spaces and shared facilities is integral to cultivating a safer living environment, particularly in high-rise buildings. Regular inspections and upkeep of elevators, common areas and recreational spaces actively reduce potential risks. Elevators, in particular, should undergo routine checks for functionality and safety features to minimise the likelihood of breakdowns. Additionally, well-lit common areas significantly enhance overall safety for residents.
Family-friendly high-rise living
If your family includes children or pets, you can still enjoy high-rise living, but safety takes on more importance. In addition to standard child-proofing measures like securing furniture and appliances, installing safety gates and using cupboard locks for chemicals, living at heights requires specific considerations.
This includes the need to restrict access to stairs and balconies and address potential risks from open windows by installing window locks and guards or limiters and pet-proof balcony spaces. Creating a safe living environment and preventing accidents associated with elevated spaces necessitates regularly inspecting and maintaining window mechanisms.
Always supervise children and pets in outdoor areas and on balconies and never place climbable furniture near windows. Ensure you take advantage of ground-level play zones to give children ample opportunity to explore and be curious. Regardless of the composition of your family, additional safety feature options for high-rise apartment living include netting and invisible grills.
Why choose All Suburbs Strata Management?
With awareness and preparedness, you can enjoy high-rise living with housemates of any age. The potential risks extend beyond balconies and windows. Did you know that every year, fire services respond to numerous fires in residential buildings of four storeys and above? That’s why it’s imperative not only to adopt a proactive approach in your safety strategies but also to be well-versed in emergency response procedures.
If you’re living in a high-rise strata scheme and have questions regarding building safety or emergency protocols, refer to your by-laws or contact your strata manager or owners corporation for comprehensive information.
At ASSM, we have over 40 years of experience in strata management, covering all suburbs in Sydney, and we are experts in residential, community, commercial and industrial strata schemes and have over 40 years of experience in strata management, covering all suburbs in Sydney. We also assist developers in preparing for registration and provide strata reports and inspections.
We will ensure your strata scheme runs as smoothly as possible. When considering buying into a strata scheme or wanting to engage a professional and qualified team, contact ASSM today.
Meet The Author
Matt Blewitt
Licensee in Charge / General Manager
Matt’s career began in property management, and he worked his way through a range of senior roles before returning to the family business. He now oversees ASSM strata portfolios with a practical focus on risk, consistency and keeping things running as they should. He believes clear communication, sound judgement and a willingness to own mistakes when they happen are the foundations of successful strata management.
What keeps Matt motivated is the people he works with, both within the team and across client communities. He understands the pressures owners and committees face and always balances compliance with common sense. This measured approach has been shaped by years on the ground and a genuine desire to do the job right, no matter the challenge.
We provide Australia’s most professional and comprehensive strata management services across Greater Sydney and other parts of NSW. Our expertise spans residential, community, commercial and industrial strata schemes. It’s easy to switch to All Suburbs Strata Management. See the extensive range of suburbs our certified strata managers oversee below.
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FAQs
What safety issues are unique to high-rise strata living?
High-rise buildings come with unique hazards, including emergency evacuation complexity, elevated fall risks (like balconies and windows), and the need for reliable fire safety systems. Residents should be familiar with escape routes, assembly points and emergency procedures.
Do high-rise strata buildings need special fire safety planning?
Yes. Fire safety is a key focus in high-rise buildings due to the challenges of vertical evacuation and potential rapid spread. Buildings typically have dedicated stairwells, alarms and fire-rated systems, and it’s vital residents know and practise these protocols.
What role do inspections and maintenance play in high-rise safety?
Regular inspections and maintenance of lifts, electrical systems, common areas and safety equipment help reduce risks and ensure everything functions properly. Well-lit hallways and maintained communal spaces also enhance everyday safety.
How can residents help improve safety in their high-rise strata building?
Residents can contribute by learning emergency procedures, reporting defects promptly, supervising children and pets around balconies, and avoiding behaviour that could create hazards in shared spaces.
Are there specific precautions for families with children or pets in high-rises?
Yes. Extra care is needed with window locks, balcony safety barriers, restricting access to potentially dangerous areas and avoiding placing climbable furniture near edges to prevent falls.
Who should I contact if I have safety concerns in my high-rise strata building?
If you have questions or concerns about building safety or emergency protocols, refer to your by-laws or contact your strata manager or owners corporation for guidance and clarification.