Public buildings

(1) Every person who erects or owns a public building shall cause it to be inspected by the competent authority, the Authority or Building Unit at the cost of the competent authority if the building is identified to be a safety concern by way of complaint made to the competent authority, Authority or Unit or by observation of any of the entities. (2) Where the inspection findings reflect safety and structural risk, the owner of the building is responsible for the cost of a more in-depth inspection by the relevant professional and for the cost of improvement, and once the improvement is completed, the owner of the building shall provide a report from a competent professional. (3) The report required under sub-section (2) shall contain information on the following matters relating to the building– (a) fire protection; (b) mechanical; (c) plumbing; (d) electrical; and (e) structural. 34 (4) If upon review of the report submitted in accordance with sub-section (2), the Authority is satisfied that the building is not safe for the purposes for which it was erected it shall by written notice to the owner of the building require the owner to undertake such remedial work as is necessary to ensure that the building is safe for the purposes for which it was erected and if the owner fails to undertake such remedial work then the Authority may effect such remedial works and may recover from the owner the expenses reasonably incurred in doing so. (5) Any owner who fails to comply with a written notice issued under sub-section (4) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand dollars or to three years imprisonment. (6) Any person who fails to comply with sub-section (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars.