The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) continues to enhance its intelligence-based approach to proactive building inspections, to address compliance risks on worksites across Victoria.

Analysis of quarter one data from the VBA’s Proactive Inspection Program’s (PIP), collected from July to September, showed that non-compliant building and plumbing issues had increased. This was due to inspections scheduled when works were more advanced on site, which allowed for observation and assessment of more risk factors.

More than 3500 proactive inspections of building and plumbing work were undertaken between July and September 2021.

The VBA’s State Building Surveyor Andrew Cialini said that greater insights were achieved through the targeted approach to data.

“Part of being a more efficient and effective regulator is using an intelligence-based approach to target practitioners and sites of interest.” Mr Cialini said.

“These insights will enable us to support industry to improve designs, approvals and worksite practices that will increase compliance and safety which keeps both practitioners and the wider community safe.”

From July to September 2021 the VBA conducted 3546 inspections, comprising of 2041 building and 1505 plumbing inspections across the state.

Timber framing, wet areas and external waterproofing and steel framing were the top non-compliant issues found by the VBA in domestic building work.

In commercial building work, damp and weatherproofing, fire resistance and fire safety provisions were the biggest compliance issues.

Roof drainage, gas installation, cold water services, sanitary plumbing systems and cold water services were the key compliance risks highlighted in domestic and commercial plumbing.

The VBA proactive inspections team aim to identify areas of building and plumbing non-compliance before they become an issue for homeowners, which could create potential safety risks, stress, and add time and cost impacts to projects.

The information and intelligence gathered through PIP also enables the VBA to provide advice on building and plumbing standards and education and training in the industry to improve future outcomes.

Read the full Proactive Inspection Program Q1 report.