Penalties against three building service providers for negligent conduct have highlighted the importance of safety decals designed to prevent collisions with clear glass.
Missing visual indicators in a West Perth apartment foyer were at the heart of three disciplinary matters under WA’s building registration laws.
The State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) issued fines of $10,000 and $7,000 respectively to the builder, Building Corporation WA Pty Ltd (BC9467), and its nominated supervisor, Claudio Giorgi (BP11366), following mediation.
According to agreed facts, Building Corporation WA and Mr Giorgi failed to ensure the West Perth building complied with the National Construction Code (NCC) by omitting visual indicators on the building’s frameless glass front entry door following a request by the apartment developer.
An unbroken 75mm contrasting line was required across the full width of frameless or fully glazed access doors to reduce the risk of collision and comply with the NCC and corresponding standards.
The SAT was told the visual indicators were not installed even when a defect report identified the issue, but they are now in place.
Representatives for the Building Services Board accepted mitigating factors during the SAT mediation, including that Building Corporation WA and Mr Giorgi had no prior building complaints and that two supervisors worked full-time at the apartment project.
In a separate matter before the Board, building surveyor Jonathan Cuffin Evans (BSP174) was fined $1,000 for signing an inaccurate certificate of construction compliance for the West Perth building.
The Board was told Mr Evans’ failure to identify the lack of visual indicators appeared to be an oversight rather than intentional.
Building Commissioner Phil Payne said aesthetics and other factors should never take precedence over compliance with building codes and standards.
“Building standards are designed to ensure community safety as well as the structural adequacy of buildings,” Mr Payne said.
“Visual indicators are designed to make large clear glass doors more visible and reduce the likelihood of collisions.
“Building service providers should not cut corners or bend rules they may perceive as insignificant, even under pressure from a client.”
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Media contact: BEmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au
Link to SAT decision:BUILDING SERVICES BOARD and BUILDING CORPORATION WA PTY LTD [2025] CC 863 - eCourts Portal
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