Dr Stephen Scimonello’s 2024 PhD research from Victoria University delivers a timely and confronting examination of why fire safety systems in Australian multi-storey residential buildings are too often failing in practice—despite increasingly sophisticated, performance-based building codes.
His research reveals a critical policy-to-practice gap created by the National Construction Code’s reliance on performance solutions, which place heavy dependence on active and passive fire safety systems that are not being consistently or adequately maintained. Fragmented regulation across states and territories, combined with poor owner understanding of statutory maintenance responsibilities, has led to widespread non-compliance and elevated safety risks for residents.
Using Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour, Dr Scimonello demonstrates how owner attitudes, social norms, and perceived control directly influence maintenance outcomes. Crucially, his findings show that strong regulatory enforcement is a decisive factor in improving compliance—highlighting that policy alone is insufficient without meaningful oversight.
In this presentation, Stephen will unpack the findings that have challenged long-held industry assumptions, explore the real-world consequences for building safety, and share insights from the next phase of his work as he moves from diagnosis to solutions. This session is a must-attend “wake-up call” for regulators, practitioners, and building owners alike.
