B
uilding fabric, structural framing and building cladding deteriorate over time, which is why it’s highly important to monitor their condition to ensure ongoing safe operations. If building assets are neglected for too long, this can lead to localised failures requiring reactive maintenance works, which can result in disruptions to operations.

As engineers, we see too often the monetary and business impacts of sites that have not been regularly inspected and maintained, resulting in the breakdown of building materials.

By engaging an experienced engineering team to conduct audits, building risks are identified and a preventive maintenance schedule can be established. Taking a proactive preventative approach to building or site maintenance can save on costs, maximise efficiency and improve safety.

At Woolacotts Consulting Engineers, we are highly experienced with condition auditing of existing facilities for various purposes including:

• Identifying items requiring repair and/or maintenance to mitigate the identified risks, prevent further damage from occurring and ensure continued safe operation.
• Assessment of compliance with building codes and standards, and identification of necessary upgrades to comply with current Work Health and Safety legislation.
• Structural assessment for load rating and/or investigation to support change in use, including possible alterations and additions.

We have 80 years of experience behind us and have completed condition audits on a range of high level buildings and assets for a broad spectrum of clients. Our expertise and training, along with our thorough knowledge of current codes and standards allows us to provide in-depth preventative maintenance schedules and advice regarding WHS compliance for our clients, that save them money and time in the long run.” 

– Scott Clemmet, Woolacotts Principal Structural Engineer

Featured above: Images of corrosion of steelwork and concrete spalling. This is the type of dilapidation observed during audit inspections that need to be addressed to ensure ongoing safe operation.

Our recent experience in condition auditing:

 

Qantas Airways Limited

• Structural and building fabric audits of various critical infrastructure facilities including aircraft hangars, terminals, stores, workshops, engine test cells, flight training centres, freight, catering and administration buildings. Audit reports have included recommendations for repair and maintenance to ensure ongoing safe operation, with prioritisation identified using a risk assessment matrix.
• To date we have undertaken audits of 70+ Qantas operated facilities across Australia, including at Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Darwin, Brisbane and various regional airports.
• Audit of all existing Qantas maintained/controlled roof spaces (50+) in the Sydney Airport Precinct and analysis against relevant authority requirements for access and safety, including detailed scope of works and budget estimates for the rectification/upgrade of non-compliant areas.

Airservices Australia

• Structural and building fabric audits of the Sydney Airport Control Tower, including tower crane access to inspect high level external framing.
• Compliance assessment of ladder access systems at DME Tower, Sydney Airport.
• Structural and building fabric audits at Airservces Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Stations, including:
  • Large Aircraft Mock-up Unit (LMU) at Sydney Airport
  • “Smoke Hut” at Sydney Airport
  • LMU at Canberra Airport

City of Sydney

• Audits of existing access systems at internal and external roof spaces against relevant authority requirements for access and safety, including detailed scope of works for the rectification/upgrade of non-compliant areas. Facilities included Sydney Town Hall, Ultimo Community Centre and Kings Cross Library.
• Investigations and reports on various building defects at various facilities including Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Peter Forsythe Auditorium, Surry Hills Library and Jubilee Park Clubrooms.

Australian Federal Police

• Various audit reports for building defects and condition of exposed structural steel framing at the Australian Institute of Police Management Manly, inclusive the design and documentation of remedial works for tender and construction.

Department of Justice – Justice Infrastructure & Assets NSW

• Structural investigation of clocktower at Bankstown Courthouse and design and documentation of remedial works inclusive of design of temporary access systems to allow works to proceed.
• Structural investigation of water ingress through Burwood Courthouse roof and design and documentation of remedial works including waterproofing upgrades .

Conservatorium of Music, Sydney

• Various audit reports and investigations for building defects, minor alterations and additions and assessment of access systems

Selleys Pty Ltd

• Structural and building fabric audit at Padstow manufacturing and warehouse facility.
• Various structural assessments and reports for proposed modifications to Moorebank and Padstow facilities

TAFE NSW

• Structural and building fabric audit of buildings at the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Nepean College – Kingswood Campus to determine cause of damage and provide recommendations for rectification.

Prioritising compliance with authority requirements

As part of our auditing service, we keep up to date with changing authority requirements and work health and safety legislation. It is currently a requirement in all Australian states that access systems such as stairs, ladders, guardrails, fall restraints etc are provided in accordance with current guidelines. It is important to stay across these requirements and review operations to comply with legal obligations and ensure that a safe work environment is maintained.

As a part of every condition audit we conduct, our engineering team will include site-specific recommendations on keeping compliant with these current authority requirements.

To learn more about our projects and experience, visit our projects page, here.

To get in contact regarding a condition audit, head to our contact page, here.