Annual Certificates

What is an AESMR?

The Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR) is a yearly legal requirement designed to confirm that the owner has taken all necessary steps to ensure each Essential Safety Measure is functioning correctly and maintained as required.

This report follows a specific format prescribed by the Victorian Building Authority and must include all Essential Safety Measures listed on the building’s Occupancy Permit or Maintenance Schedule. Our assessment process ensures that occupants and stakeholders have confidence in the thorough evaluation conducted by qualified and experienced auditors, guaranteeing that the building’s systems will perform as intended.

ESM Compliance can prepare and issue a signed Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR) to be kept on your premises for review by the Chief Officer or Municipal Building Surveyor upon request. ESM Compliance has an excellent reputation in the field, providing comprehensive, high-quality, and user-friendly AESMR audit reports for a wide range of properties, including government, commercial, industrial, and residential properties throughout Australia.

In Victoria, Australia, failing to maintain building safety compliance can result in several serious consequences, including:

Legal Penalties

Non-compliance with building safety regulations can lead to substantial fines and penalties for building owners and managers. These penalties are enforced by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and can escalate with continued non-compliance.

Occupancy Permit Issues

A building’s occupancy permit may be revoked or not issued if essential safety measures are not adequately maintained. This can prevent the building from being legally occupied, affecting businesses and residents.

Increased Liability

Building owners may face increased liability in the event of accidents, injuries, or fatalities resulting from non-compliance. This could lead to costly legal battles and compensation claims.

Insurance Problems

Insurance policies may be invalidated if a building is not compliant with safety regulations. This means that in the event of damage or loss, the building owner may not be covered, leading to significant financial loss.

Operational Disruptions

Non-compliance can lead to building closures or operational restrictions imposed by authorities. This can disrupt businesses and services, causing financial and reputational damage.

Reputational Damage

Failure to comply with safety regulations can tarnish the reputation of building owners and managers. It may result in negative publicity and loss of trust among tenants, customers, and the public.

Safety Risks

Most importantly, non-compliance with building safety measures poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of occupants and visitors. This can lead to serious injuries or fatalities in the event of a fire, structural failure, or other emergencies.

Enforcement Actions

The VBA and other regulatory bodies have the authority to take enforcement actions, such as issuing improvement notices, prohibition notices, or taking legal action to ensure compliance. These actions can be costly and time-consuming to resolve.

To avoid these consequences, it is crucial for building owners and managers to ensure that all essential safety measures are regularly maintained and compliant with the relevant regulations and standards.