The Requirements for Safe and Reasonable Access are found in the Australian Standard “Inspection of Buildings Part 1: Pre-purchase inspection – Residential Buildings
Safe and Reasonable Access requirements are impoprtant to understand as they form the basis for gaining access to different parts of a building during a building and pest inspection. Essentially, ‘Safe and Reasonable Access’ is a way letting the individual inspector make a call on the day, based on the site conditions and the minimum access requirements.
The Australian Standard AS4349.1, full name – “Inspection of Buildings, Part 1: Pre-purchase Inspections – Residential Buildings” is the ‘defining document’ for us as building and pest inspectors. The Standard outlines all aspects of the Agreement, Inspection and Report processes, providing clarity and consistency within the building and timber pest sector. Part 1 of the Standard provides a guide on all aspects of the inspection, including what is deemed ‘safe and reasonable’ access for the inspector. Of course these are ‘minimum requirement’ and our Sydney PrePurchase Inspectors always go above and beyond the standard.
This Australian standard is actually just one part of a larger, 3 part standard that relates to building and pest inspections.
AS4349.0 – Part 0: General Requirements
AS4349.1 – Part 1: Pre-purchase inspections – residential buildings (this standard)
AS4349.3 – Part 3: Timber Pest Inspections
Section 3.2.2 – Safe and Reasonable Access
The Australian Standard AS4349.1 states the follow:
Section 3.2.2 Safe and Reasonable Access
“The extent of accessible areas shall be determined by the inspector at the time of inspection, based on the conditions encountered at the time of inspection. The inspection shall include only accessible areas and areas within the inspector’s line of sight and close enough to enable (reasonable) appraisal. Reasonable access shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Table 3.2.”
“The inspector shall inspect an elevated area only where –
- a) It is at a height at which safe and reasonable access is available, or
- b) An unobstructed line of sight is present from safe use of a 3.6m ladder and the elements are close enough for appraisal.”
Table 3.2 – Minimum Dimensions for Safe and Reasonable Access reads as follows:
“Roof interior – Access hole – 400 x 500mm, Crawl space – 600 x 600mm, Accessible from a 3.6m ladder”
“Roof Exerior – Must be accessible with a 3.6m ladder placed on the ground.”
“Notes
1) Reasonable access does not include the cutting of access holes or the removal of screws, bolts or other fasteners or sealants holding access covers.”
The standard then states:
“Table C3.2 – A 3.6m is considered reasonable for safe use by a one person. Regardless of the ladder lenght, weight and size, safe use of ladder or safe access may mean that inspection of a roof, elevated platform or roof space is not possible in part, or at all during an inpection and in such circumstances an inspector may recommend the use of special access equipment and that a further inspection be undertaken when a safe method of access is present”
Our Inspectors go ‘Above and Beyond’ the Standard on a daily basis
All of this is about occupational health and safety by providing the inspector with minimum access requirements and the ability to make a ‘judgement call’ on the day of inspection.
As building and pest inspectors we hate any kind of access limitations as this compromises the inspection overall. Speaking from personal experience, there are countless situations or occaisons where we have gone ‘above and beyond’ these minimum requirements during a building a pest inspection.
Firstly we carry a longer ladder, (which is actually heavier and more safe to use). This get us up higher and allows us see more roof sections and access what some inspectors might deem inaccessibe.
Secondly we routinely place our ladders on decks and balconies to see upper roof sections (where it is safe to do so).
Inside roof spaces it is common to have less than 600x600mm clear, so we regularly get tangled up in truss roof frames and ducting inside roofs where the space is much less. We also try to move insulation where possible to get a look at the top of the wall frames, especially if we have suspicion of a timber pest infestation.
When it comes to sealed access hatches, our inspectors carry basic hand tools like a screw driver and razor blaze for tricky hatch covers. We have removed many screws over the years.
So when it comes to surpassing the Australian Standard for Building and Pest Inspections, it is not always possible, but you be absolutely certain, Sydney Prepurchase inspectors will do everything within their abiliy and experience to inspect those hard to reach areas.
