The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has warned on the importance of fire safety checks after reports of building inspection access being denied due to social distancing concerns.

Head of Risk Karl Sullivan says COVID-19 shutdowns do not remove regulatory and insurance requirements for buildings to undergo inspections, and failure to ensure they take place could affect coverage under commercial and strata title policies.

“This is especially important at the moment, with risk profiles changing due to social distancing, business shutdowns and work-from-home arrangements,” he said.

“Many office buildings and commercial premises are unoccupied or have few workers, so maintenance issues that might normally be detected are more likely to be missed, creating the potential for electrical fires.”

High-rise residential properties are also at greater risk from kitchen fires, overloaded appliances and circuits, given around-the-clock occupancy.

Fire protection service professionals are following best-practice social distancing and occupational health and safety guidelines, Mr Sullivan says.