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As a business or property owner in Western Australia, you are responsible for ensuring that your doors comply with the relevant safety standards. This includes both commercial and industrial doors. If you plan to install or modify a door on your property, you need to make sure that it meets the necessary requirements to ensure the safety of you, your staff, the general public and the protection of your property.
At Larnec Doors, we can assist you with all your door compliance questions. We can supply you with a great range of tough, commercial and industrial doors and advise you on the best way to comply with the relevant door safety standards in Western Australia.
Don’t risk non-compliance with your commercial or industrial doors. For more information about door compliance in WA, contact Larnec Doors today.
Read on as we break down some of the more complex aspects of compliance in Western Australia. We’ll cover:
- Container Door Regulations
- Shed & Garage Door Regulations
- Industrial Door Regulations
- Transportable Door Regulations
- Commercial Door Regulations
Western Australian Door Compliance
In Western Australia, there are a number of sources of legislation that apply to commercial and industrial doors; these include:
- The Building Code of Australia (BCA)
- National Construction Code (NCC)
- The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 (WA)
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Australian Standards
Each type of door has its own set of compliance requirements. These requirements are designed to ensure that doors are safe to use and pose minimal risks to users and bystanders. These may include:
- The door must be durable and weather-resistant
- The door must be able to be opened and closed smoothly
- The door must have a secure locking mechanism
- The door must have an emergency release mechanism
- The door must be fitted with safety devices to prevent injuries
- The door must be properly maintained and serviced
Building Code of Australia
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) sets out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings. The BCA is divided into Volumes, with each Volume covering different aspects of building design and construction.
Volume 1 – Commercial Buildings covers the design and construction of new commercial buildings, as well as alterations and additions to existing commercial buildings.
The BCA contains specific requirements for the installation of access doors, including:
- Clause D3.6 Access hatches and doors
- Clause D3.7 Lifts and escalators
- Clause D8 Balustrades, barriers and handrails
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
In Western Australia, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is responsible for regulating the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of access doors in commercial and industrial premises.
DMIRS has developed a range of codes of practice and guidance documents that set out the minimum standards for access doors, including:
- Code of Practice for the Design, Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance of Commercial and Industrial Access Doors
- Guidelines for the Selection, Installation and Maintenance of Commercial and Industrial Access Doors
- Inspection and Testing Guide for Commercial and Industrial Access Doors
These codes and guidelines are available on the DMIRS website.
Compliance with the BCA and Australian Standards is mandatory for all new building work. The BCA and Australian Standards can be accessed online at the SAI Global website.
To ensure compliance with the BCA and Australian Standards, it is recommended that access doors be designed and installed by a suitably qualified and experienced professional.
Door Design, Installation & Maintenance
In Western Australia, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) is adopted under the Building Act 2011 and Building Regulations 2012. The BCA sets out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings.
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is responsible for administering the building laws in Western Australia.
Access doors are an important part of any commercial or industrial building, providing a way for people to enter and exit the building safely. A number of codes of practice regulate the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of access doors to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose.
Some of the key codes of Australian Standards that apply to access doors in Western Australia include:
- Australian Standard AS 1657 – Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders
- Australian Standard AS 4299 – Industrial type lifting platforms and personnel hoists
- Australian Standard AS 1428 – Design for access and mobility
Failure to comply with these codes of practice can result in heavy fines and penalties and put people's safety at risk.
Your OH&S Requirements
The Occupational Safety and Health Regulation 2001 (the OSH Regulation) is the primary source of occupational safety and health law in Western Australia.
The OSH Regulation sets out duties that employers, workers and others have in relation to workplace health and safety. It also contains a range of requirements relating to particular hazards and risks, including those associated with access doors.
Failure to comply with the OSH Regulation can result in heavy fines and penalties and risk workers' safety.
Open the doors to simple compliance in Western Australia
Some of the key requirements that apply to access doors in Western Australian workplaces include:
- Providing doors that are fit for purpose and suitable for the intended use
- Installing doors in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
- Inspecting doors regularly to ensure they are in good working order
- Repairing or replacing damaged or worn parts
- Ensuring doors are properly maintained and serviced
- Keeping doors clean and free from obstructions
- Providing adequate lighting around doors
- Displaying signs, where necessary, to warn people of hazards associated with the door
As a business owner, it's important to be aware of the various regulations, laws and standards that apply to your commercial or industrial doors. These requirements ensure the safety and compliance of your doors, and failure to adhere to them can result in hefty fines or even the closure of your business.
WA Shed & Garage Door Regulations
In Western Australia, several codes of practice govern the specifications, installation and maintenance of commercial and industrial shed doors and garage doors. To comply with these regulations, your shed door or garage door must meet certain specifications in terms of materials, construction, installation and maintenance.
Some examples of these laws include:
- All doors must be made of weather-resistant materials such as steel or aluminium
- All doors must be properly sealed to prevent moisture and pests from entering
- All doors must also be designed and installed to prevent them from being forced open by wind or other external forces.
Maintenance is also crucial to ensuring the safety and compliance of your doors. All doors must be regularly inspected for signs of wear and tear, and any damaged or broken parts must be repaired or replaced immediately.
WA Commercial Door Regulations
Commercial doors are defined as any door that is used to provide access to a business or other commercial premises. This includes both internal and external doors, as well as doors to storage areas, garages and car parks.
Commercial door regulations protect workers and customers in commercial areas such as:
- Factories
- Warehouses
- Shopping centres
- Processing facilities
- Other commercial settings
Several regulations, laws and standards apply to commercial doors in Western Australia. These include the Building Code of Australia (BCA), relevant Australian Standards, and the National Construction Code (NCC).
To comply with the relevant regulations, laws and standards, commercial doors must be designed, installed and maintained in accordance with the applicable code of practice.
WA Industrial Door Regulations
Industrial door regulations are governed by the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The BCA sets out the requirements for constructing personal access doors, including industrial doors.
The Doors and Hardware industry in Western Australia is regulated by a number of Acts, Regulations and Standards.
Generally speaking, there is an expectation that all industrial doors in Western Australia will adhere to the following specifications:
- 1. Be fit for the purpose for which they were designed
- 2. Operate smoothly and efficiently
- 3. Be durable and reliable
- 4. Require minimal maintenance
- 5. Be safe to use
- 6. Comply with all relevant Australian Standards
Additionally, your industrial doors should:
- Open and close automatically
- Have a self-closing device
- Have an emergency release mechanism
- Be fitted with a sign specifying the maximum door height clearance
As industrial doors are often in areas of high traffic, it is important that they are well-maintained and regularly serviced. This will ensure that they continue to operate safely and efficiently and protect those working in or visiting your workplace.
WA Shipping Container Door Regulations
There are various Western Australia regulations, laws and standards pertaining to the modification and installation of access doors in shipping containers. These include:
- Building Code of Australia (BCA)
- AS 4332-2004, Containers for Transport – ISO Containers
- BCA CodeMark Scheme – Shipping Container Doors
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 1996 (WA)
- Shipping Container Act 1987 (WA)
There are two main types of modifications that can be made to a shipping container door: a door conversion and a door addition.
A door conversion is where the original door of the shipping container is removed and replaced with a new door. The new door must meet all the requirements of the BCA, including thermal performance, weatherproofing, glazing and framing.
A door addition is where a new door is added to the shipping container, in addition to the original door. The new door must also meet all the requirements of the BCA.
If you plan to modify or install a shipping container door in Western Australia, you should check with your local council or building authority to ensure that you comply with all the relevant regulations, laws and standards.
WA Transportable Building Door Regulations
A transportable building door is defined as a door that is designed to be used in a portable or modular building. The door must be able to be transported with the rest of the modular or portable building and conform to all the statutory requirements for doors in portable or transportable buildings.
In Western Australia, there are several key regulations, laws and standards pertaining to transportable building doors, which are as follows:
- The Building Code of Australia (BCA)
- The Australian Standard AS/NZS 4456
- The Australian Standard AS 1428
- The Western Australian Building Code
Broadly speaking, as a business owner in WA, you are responsible for ensuring that your transportable building doors are:
- In good working order
- Able to be opened and closed easily by users
- Sufficiently weatherproof
- Secure against unauthorised entry
- Properly labelled with the door's purpose (e.g. fire exit)
Handy Links for Commercial and Industrial Door Compliance Across Australia
Need help? The doors are always open at Larnec
If you're unsure which regulations apply to your situation, we would not be at all surprised! Compliance is a complex and ever-evolving space that needs meticulous management to ensure you’re up to date. Get it wrong, and the consequences could be disastrous; think hefty fines, penalties - or worse - injuries or even fatalities in the event of an emergency. Don’t take the risk!
Step through the doors at Larnec, and our friendly team can help you understand the compliance requirements for your commercial or industrial doors.
As an Australian-owned and operated company, we have provided quality doors and door systems to the commercial and industrial market for over 30 years. Our experienced professionals can help you find the right door for your needs and help you to ensure that door meets the relevant WA compliance requirements.
