Owning or managing a building comes with a number of responsibilities that you need to be aware of – one of these includes ensuring that you have valid certifications that prove that your building and its systems are safe to use. This is also known as a Building Warrant of Fitness (BWoF).
If you are in need of a Building Warrant of Fness in Auckland, you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will explore what BWoFs are, and more importantly, how often they need to be renewed.
What is a Building Warrant of Fitness?
A BWoF is a legal document (as set out under The Building Act 2004) that proves that a building’s specified systems, which can include lifts, escalators, and more, have been maintained and inspected, meaning they are safe for use. This includes ensuring that you are following the building’s compliance schedule as set out by your local council.
Independent Qualified Persons (IQPs) (such as Fireaway) must be contracted to inspect and maintain your building’s specified systems. They will be the ones that issue Form 12As which are required as part of the process of obtaining a BWoF.
Renewals
A BWoF must be renewed every 12 months. A copy of the valid BWoF must be displayed publicly within your building, and failure to do so can result in fines and penalties, such as:
- Fines (up to $200,000)
- Legal proceedings
- Additional fees
Records of inspections, maintenance, and repairs must be kept for at least 2 years, even if your BWoF needs to be renewed soon. Your renewed BWoF should be sent to your local council before the previous one’s expiration date.
Please keep in mind that missed inspections or maintenance procedures in the last 12 months can result in your BWoF renewal to be denied.
Keep your building compliant with local rules and regulations with Fireaway. If you require a Building Warrant of Fitness in Auckland, we can help with both obtaining one and ensuring you remain compliant with them. For more information on our range of services, or if you have any further questions, please get in touch with the Fireaway team today.