Queensland Consolidated Regulations

BUILDING FIRE SAFETY REGULATION 2008 - REG 8

8 Occupier not to allow evacuation route to be obstructed

(1) The occupier of a building must not allow a thing to be placed or to remain—

(a) within 2m of a final exit outside the building; or

(b) in another place on an evacuation route of the building, if the thing would be likely to unduly restrict, hinder or delay a person, if the person were using the evacuation route in the event of a fire or hazardous materials emergency.

Penalty—

Maximum penalty—30 penalty units.

(2) For deciding if a thing on an evacuation route would be likely to unduly restrict, hinder or delay a person under subsection (1) (b) , regard must be had to—

(a) the number, mobility and other relevant characteristics of persons who would be likely to use the evacuation route in the event of a fire or hazardous materials emergency; and

(b) whether the thing would be likely to be displaced by a person using the evacuation route in the event of a fire or hazardous materials emergency.

(3) Also, the occupier of a building must take reasonable steps to ensure that a person does not obstruct an evacuation route of the building.

Example of a reasonable step for subsection (3)—

The occupier erects a rope or other temporary barrier outside a final exit of the building that allows persons to queue to enter the building in a way that would not be likely to unduly hinder the passage of persons leaving the building in the event of fire.

Penalty—

Maximum penalty—30 penalty units.