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There will be fatalities! It’s not if, but when!
There will be fatalities! It’s not if, but when! was the subheading of a blog post I wrote on 26 October 2017, in which I raised my early concerns about the lack of fire sprinklers and the failure to apply a Class 3 classification under the Building Code of Australia for Specialist Disability Accommodation. View Blog Post. We have now seen with the death of a gentleman named David in a fire at a disability support home in Spring Farm, Sydney, on Saturday, 3 January 2026, that my concerns were well-founded. Blog Post on Spring Farm Fire David’s death....
Creating Accessible and Inclusive Housing: Universal Design in SDA
What is Universal Design Universal Design represents a design philosophy that creates spaces, products, and systems that serve all people regardless of age, ability, or cultural background. Universal Design implements inclusive thinking at the beginning of the design process to create environments that support full and independent participation for all users. Universal Design supports Equal Access by focusing on dignity and flexibility while recognising human diversity as a positive force that guides the creation of adaptable solutions for different life experiences. The built environment, education, technology, and public services benefit most from this approach because traditional design methods frequently create....
Disability Fire Safety Forum: Specialist Disability Accommodation
Fire safety in SDA Class 1, 2 and 3 buildings Perspectives from a Disability Access Consultant Towards the end of 2024, I was invited by Fire Rescue Victoria and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission to present at the Disability Fire Safety Forum that was focused on Improving fire safety for people with disability. The forum heard from a range of keynote speakers, including the Minister for the NDIS, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, followed by a series of practical workshops. The event aimed to identify challenges and risks around fire safety for people with disability,....
Introducing the Turtle Tough TV enclosure—the perfect protection for your TV in Robust Specialist Disability Accommodation
When it comes to safety and style, you can’t beat our Turtle Tough TV enclosure. It’s durable, has a modern design and reduces the risk of injury for high-risk areas, including Robust Specialist Disability Accommodation. What is the Tough Turtle TV enclosure? Made from 3mm steel with an unbreakable 12mm polycarbonate screen, the Tough Turtle TV enclosure is built to last. It’s the perfect way to protect your TV, suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces. With built-in ventilation, gas struts for easy lifting, handy mounting brackets, anti-tamper screws and, all corners and edges are rounded so you can rest....
Why the SIL, STA, MTA or SDA Accommodation you’re Providing may be Operating Illegally
Have you confirmed before trading within your SIL, STA, SDA or MTA house that it has the correct building classification? Is it a Class 1a, Class 1b, Class 2 or Class 3? All approved dwellings will have an occupancy permit (OP), which will state the approved use of that dwelling in the form of a classification. If the building classification is Class 1a, It may not be fit for purpose. We have often been asked to manage SIL, STA or MTA properties with an OP for Class 1a, which we decline. It is not a simple case of renting a....
Assistive technology ready & home automation for Specialist Disability Accommodation
Independent Living Made Easy Assisted living and Smart Home Automation technology is enabling people with disabilities to live fuller and more rewarding independent lives. New home automation technology maximises the ability of those with disabilities to live independently by enabling control of their home through smart devices and voice control. The technology is seamless in its simplicity of use and is designed for use by people with disabilities in mind. There are endless scenarios where smart home technology can help everyday living... Building Specialist Disability Accommodation that is Assistive technology ready with home automation allows users to live with a....
SDAs Must Have Sprinklers
. The Kew Cottages Fire Demonstrates why SDA & SIL housing requires Fire Sprinklers Spanish philosopher George Santayana stated, “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” It appears with the rollout of specialist disability accommodation we have learnt nothing from the past in how to keep people with disability safe. Are we building fire traps for SDA Participants? The History of the Kew Cottages Tragedy? View the Kew Cottages history in brief In April 1996 nine men were killed in a fire that swiftly and violently engulfed their unit at Kew Cottages,....
SDA 2 Hour Backup Requirements Explained
Design Specification The SDA standard below requires a 2-hour emergency backup in the event of a power outage for 2x GPO points (general purpose outlets) in a participant room for a range of equipment. The most suitable emergency backup device to accommodate the requirements is a UPS system. Types of Redundant Power Supply Systems There are essentially three types of redundant power systems available for SDA Dwellings: Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) battery system Diesel generators that auto-start on power failure. Gas generators that auto-start on power failure. Types of equipment that may require redundant power Ventilator Ceiling hoist Emergency notification....
Alarm Notifications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
Being woken from your sleep by a smoke alarm or similar is not something most of us think about. But what if you are deaf or hard of hearing and cannot hear emergency alarms in an emergency? Deafgard is an alarm that you can see but more importantly feel when you are asleep as it has an intense vibrating pad that is placed under the pillow that will wake the heaviest of sleepers. There are fire alarms you hear and those that you feel. Deafgard has been specifically designed for the deaf and hard of hearing in fire and emergency....
The Failures of SDA and Fire Safety
Following on from my previous posts about the safety of participants in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) I thought I would again challenge the status quo of what is perceived to be permitted building classifications vs safe building classifications. How difficult is it to evacuate one SDA participant from a home in a fire? Now ask yourself, how you would evacuate 10, 20 or even 30 participants in an emergency? We have an SDA development on the books with 34 participants housed above ground level, how will they be evacuated? We already know based on the SDA Pricing Arrangements for Specialist....
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Recent Posts
- There will be fatalities! It’s not if, but when!
- Creating Accessible and Inclusive Housing: Universal Design in SDA
- Understanding Luminance Contrast and Colour Contrast for SDA
- Disability Fire Safety Forum: Specialist Disability Accommodation
- Converting an Existing House to Specialist Disability Accommodation