How close is too close?

April 12, 2010 4:13 AM

What is the legal/building regs/workcover requirement for clearance around the inside of an exit door of a factory in NSW Australia?
posted by jacanj to Law & Government (3 answers total)

If you're an employee, and worried about it, call your equivalent of the United States's OSHA.

If you're building or setting up a factory, ask your lawyer.
posted by cschneid at 8:56 AM on April 12, 2010

You don't say, but I'm going to assume that you are asking this with regard to being able to exit the building in the case of an emergency.
This is not easy to find out because [cite]:

"The specific requirements applying to fire escapes (and hallways leading to fire escapes) come under the Australian Building Code, which is administered by local government. The code is complex in that issues such as the type of building, the number of workers/others likely to be in the building, the distance they need to travel to reach the outside of the building, and so on, must be taken into account."

and:

"Emergency exits
158. In workplaces that are buildings, the location of doors needs to be appropriately marked and signs need to be posted to show the direction to exit doors to aid emergency evacuation. Employers need to ensure that emergency exits in buildings comply with the requirements in the Building Code of Australia, part D1 Provision for escape."

"This means that WorkSafe inspectors will look to ensure that fire escapes are unimpeded and can be used safely in an emergency - if they suspect that there are problems with egress, or the width of the passageways, then they will refer the matter to the local council."

Good luck trying to get the 'Building Code of Australia, part D1 Provision for escape' without paying for it (WTH?).
As a point of reference though, Hendry Group has information with regard to the Queensland Building Fire Safety Regulations 2008 — 'Paths of travel [must] have at least 1 metres width of clear passage to a designated exit'.
posted by tellurian at 6:55 PM on April 12, 2010

Doh! The link for the [cite].
posted by tellurian at 7:01 PM on April 12, 2010