CouncilCorrespondence202109ESM

Link to CouncilAgenda20210920 > CouncilMinutes20210920 > PropertyCommittee

Essential Safety Measures

Letter from Presbytery

• 1. ESM Pastoral Message from Presbytery of PPE.pdf

• 2. ESM Q&A.pdf

• 3. Example Occupancy Permit.pdf

• 4. Example Statcom Quotes.pdf

• 5. Examples ESM Maintenance Schedule.pdf

• 6. Letter of authorisation to obtain Occupancy Permit from Council.pdf

• 7. ESM Maintenance Contractor plus test and tag Tender Enquiry form.docx

• 8. Understanding costs to set up your ESM program.pdf

• 9. Essential Safety Measures Flyer.pdf

• Glen Waverley - ESM Letter to Church Councils - PPE.pdf

Reply From Warren

Thank you Duncan for this information.

Glen Waverley Uniting Church have performed Essential Safety measure checks and tests for the past 15 to 20 years, and submit to Monash City Council, as is required by regulation, an annual return each November certifying that these checks have been done.
The return is certify’d by myself as Property Chair using the written authority provided to me by Synod Property Services some years ago.  

We report to church council in our monthly property minutes the completion of these checks, as required by the 1995 regulations (as amended).
Monash Council have performed spot checks on these returns and we have received clearance from them.

We have an ESS manual that evidence these checks at our entrance, which shows the quarterly/half yearly and yearly detailed checks as per the regulations, as it must be available for inspection at all times.
In addition for example, these checks test the length of time the emergency lights remain active (which must exceed 90 minutes) and if they fail, we are required to record and show when they were replaced/repaired.

We also have all fire safety, extinguisher and hose reel tests performed and evidenced by MFB annually, and a record of these checks are stored with the ESS manual for inspection. These services are performed at a cost to GWUC.

Copies of these tests have been in the past included in the Presbytery Returns we were required to submit some years ago (now not requested).

I do not see any need for GWUC to seek any further assistance or expense in these checks as Monash Council have certified them as compliant.

Thank you for the details.

Warren Greenwood
Property Chair
Glen Waverley Uniting Church

What do Church Councils need to do (Church Council actions)?

• From ESM Q&A

• Step 1 - For buildings built after 1 July 1994: display your occupancy permit in the foyer.
  • We were built in 1991, but our extension required a new occupancy certificate well past then, so we come into this category.
• Step 2 - Service/maintain (including testing) your ESMs in accordance with the Occupancy Permit or ESM Maintenance Schedule.

• Step 3 - Obtain an Annual Essential Safety Measures Report. At least 12 months’ evidence of testing is required to complete an AESMR. If you are not using Statcom, email your completed AESMR and evidence to [email protected]