Managing Insurance Fire Protection Upgrade Requests

Insurers are demanding more from commercial buildings and are focusing their attention on commercial buildings with limited fire systems or systems that are not sufficient to protect buildings as the building usage changes. Learn how Zion Fire helps building managers navigate upgrade requests, avoid surprises and stay BWOF ready.

How to Deal with Insurers Requesting Fire Protection Upgrades

Insurance companies have become far more proactive in assessing the fire safety of commercial buildings. Claims are higher, risks are growing, and insurers want to feel confident that your building has robust fire protection systems in place. For body corporate managers, building managers and facilities managers, this often results in upgrade requests or conditions of cover that arrive unexpectedly. You already manage tight portfolios, multiple trades and strict BWOF deadlines. The last thing you need is uncertainty around compliance, cost or scope.

At Zion Fire, we help you navigate these requests without pressure or confusion. You may have a basic understanding of your building needs such as BWOF, 12A reporting and the S RAD system, but insurance requirements can be less straightforward. Some requests are essential and must be actioned immediately. Others may be interpretations or recommendations that need to be properly assessed. Our role is to protect your client relationships by providing a clear path forward and consistent support.

Why insurers are requesting fire protection upgrades

A number of commercial buildings have no or very limited Fire Protection in their buildings. The number of fires occurring is increasing, which results in the risk of Insurance having to undertake a payout which could have been avoided. Provided that a number of commercial buildings have changed over the years, however, the system installed has never been reviewed, and this is why insurers are now reviewing this when they are reviewing the business activity and the building in which the business conducts its activity to ensure that there is sufficient fire protection in the case of a Fire. The reason for the increase is simple. Insurers are paying out more on commercial claims, and many of these losses could have been reduced with stronger fire systems. As a result, insurers are tightening their internal risk standards. Even if your building is compliant under the Building Act, insurers may still request additional protection based on their own criteria.

Common drivers include:
• Ageing fire alarm or sprinkler systems
• Outdated detectors or incompatible components

• Lack of evidence or documentation for previous work
• System failures identified during an audit or claim
• Increased tenant risk activities or process changes
These reviews from insurers can be quite daunting and come with limited support from the insurers on what actions to take and how to go about this. This is where Zion Fire can assist.

Your role and your risk

When an insurer sends a requirement, the responsibility falls on the Landlord, building manager, body corporate manager or you as the tenant occupying the building to respond quickly and accurately. A missed detail may delay coverage or increase premiums and, in some cases, result in insurance being revoked or not approved.

You are not expected to be the fire protection expert. That is where a reliable partner becomes essential.

How Zion Fire supports you through the process

We start by reviewing the insurer’s request and confirming the technical accuracy. Not every recommendation is mandatory, and not every requirement is urgent. Our assessment gives you clarity about what genuinely needs to happen and what options are available.
This is done by requesting the insurance document or requesting and undertaking a FREE site assessment to determine what is currently on site.

Next, we prepare a documented plan that includes:
• What the insurer is asking for

Engaging with Consultants or Fire Engineers
• Why the requirement exists
• What compliance standard does it relate to
• What work is needed to meet the requirement
• How long will the upgrade take
• Estimated costs
• How this will affect your BWOF timeline
Estimated cost for Local Council Fees (These will be an estimation as local boards have different rates and are always changing)

Once this is completed, we can prepare and tailor a proposal to complete these works and can handle the process from start to finish.

Protecting your time and reputation

With Zion Fire’s fire protection services you get a partner who:

• Communicates clearly
• Prevents unnecessary cost
• Identifies upgrade priorities
• Handles compliance paperwork
• Keeps you ahead of deadlines
• Supports you right through the BWOF cycle

You look good to your clients because everything is under control.

Confidence in every decision

Insurance upgrade requests are not always simple, but they do not need to be stressful. With a fire protection partner who understands both compliance and risk requirements, you can manage these situations smoothly and professionally.

Zion Fire. Your Fire Protection Partners.

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