Objective

  • To conduct a condition audit of Cedars Christian College for long-term planning of the school
  • To identify any issues relating to compliance and safety for students and faculty alike.

Scope of Works

Produce a report providing an indicative assessment of the property including:

  • Major defects
  • Building compliance issues
  • Priority and timeframe of remediation
  • Estimates cost of remediation for major items
  • Major components reaching end of life.

This included the assessment of:

  • Compliance
  • Electrical
  • Fire Systems
  • Hydraulics
  • Roofing and guttering
  • Hazardous materials
  • Systems and infrastructure
  • Structure

In the following areas:

  • Junior School
  • Middle School
  • Senior College
  • Leadership Centre
  • Grounds and playgrounds
  • Administration Carpark

Reporting Process

In completing the Condition Audit the report addressed multiple challenges and deconstructed them for the client so that they could be tackled in a timely manner with a focus on budget, urgency and safety.

Priority 1

As an urgent priority Australis Facilities Management identified matters that required immediate rectification as they posed a risk to life, building or system functionality, or may cause significant cost if allowed to run to failure. This included such items as:

  • Poorly installed electrical wiring – accessible to students
  • Fire extinguishers not date tagged and some no longer functional
  • Documentation of potential hazardous substances required
  • Structural issues within retaining walls

Priority 2

Building compliance issues were addressed as the next priority:

  • Smoke detection
  • Fire-rated construction issues
  • Fire extinguishers, hose reels and hydrants
  • Access for people with disabilities
  • Stairs and handrails.

Priority 3

Compliance issues for the health and safety of students and staff were also revealed:

  • Trip hazards
  • Temperature (hot water)
  • Air-conditioning and ventilation
  • Installation of various equipment not to code
  • Chemicals on site
  • Equipment maintenance.

Priority 4

To maximise the longevity of the facility and the safety of staff and students alike, the following needs to be reviewed with some degree of urgency:

  • The implementation of a maintenance plan
  • A review of all systems and infrastructure to ensure they meet legislative requirements
  • The development of a Master Plan that ensures that as the site develops and grows it remains compliant with industry and legal regulations.

Results

Through the Condition Audit Australis Facilities Management was able to present to the client an assessment report that identified:

  • Major defects
  • Building compliance issues
  • Priority and time frame of remediation
  • Estimated cost of remediation for major items
  • Major components approaching end of life.

Across the grounds, Junior and Senior Schools the condition audit revealed:

  • 81 items unsafe, inoperable and/or at risk of immediate breakdown
  • 88 items require repair to function adequately
  • 83 items are not compliant
  • 9 items are at the end of their life
  • 82 items are fully functional with minor repairs noted.

Australis FM presented what items could be remedied at no cost, using internal staff or in an outsourced capacity.

The initial audit also provided the client with a starting-point from which they could address development of the site for the expansion of the school and intake of students.