Docklands Lacrosse building blaze prompts Victorian Building Authority audits of 170 constructions

AT least 170 buildings in inner-Melbourne will be audited by Victoria’s building watchdog over fears dangerous aluminium cladding linked to a Docklands fire was used.

AT least 170 buildings in inner Melbourne will be looked into by Victoria’s building watchdog with fears dangerous aluminium cladding — which was partly blamed for a Docklands apartment fire — has been used.

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is investigating dozens of builders and building surveyors and says they will issue audit notices to find out what products were involved during construction.

It comes after a Metropolitan Fire Brigade investigation into the fire at the Dockland’s Lacrosse building found the external cladding used by the builders, L U Simon, breached combustibility requirements for high-rise towers.

The VBA has warned they will “compel building practitioners to comply or face prosecution”.

If non-complaint materials are found the body can ask the local Municipal Building Surveyor to inspect and potentially prosecute.

CSIRO tests found the cladding, called Alucobest, failed to prevent the spread of the Docklands fire as required under the Building Code.

The product was so flammable scientists had to stop the tests to avoid damaging their equipment.

The aluminium composite panels are imported from China and are commonly used in high-rise apartment buildings.

It is cheaper than the Australian-made Alucobond, which complies with safety and fire standards.

Meanwhile, more than 100 owners and residents of the Lacrosse high-rise have contacted law firm Slater & Gordon regarding a potential class action — an issue which poses problems for builders across Australia.

The fast-moving blaze ravaged their ­23-storey building and forced them to flee to Etihad Stadium.

The peak body for fire protection groups is pushing for a national crackdown on the use of cheap building materials.

Fire Protection Association Australia has warned that thousands of apartment buildings could be at risk because of the widespread use of non-compliant and potentially dangerous building products.

Spokesman Joseph Keller said practitioners who had done the right thing have nothing to fear about the VBA’s investigation but added it was “clearly an area where the entire industry needs education”.

Builder L U Simon have previously defended the use of the material saying it was documented on the planning and building permits.

DO YOU KNOW MORE?

CONTACT: [e-mail]

Originally published as Docklands Lacrosse building blaze prompts Victorian Building Authority audits of 170 constructions