The completion of a full building infrastructure audit would include the aspects outlined below.

Certification Compliance
A detailed commonwealth certification review would be undertaken as outlined above.

Building Occupancy
As part of the works required for the certification assessment, research into the current building permit that applies for the subject facility would be undertaken. This is important, as an assessment of many facilities throughout Australia has revealed that these facilities are operating outside their permit conditions.

This can present a considerable risk to a service provider if not identified and costs allocated early in the evaluation process.

Building Condition
It is important with any review that the quality and condition of the building stock is understood. In many cases GR Consulting has undertaken an assessment of the building fabric and provided a whole of life analysis, so that the client not only understands the current condition of the building fabric, but importantly the long‐term financial planning.

At the early stage of the facility evaluation the assessment is based on a ‘walk through’ inspection. This type of inspection does not provide for:

• asset (sub‐element) assessment (viz. taps, window winders, etc);
• measuring or recording of asset numbers or areas;
• testing of equipment;
• detailed compliance audits; or
• access to roof or confined spaces that would require specialist equipment and trained Occupational Health and Safety personnel.

The assessment would involve the following main elements and sub‐elements:

Structural	Electrical	Mechanical	Hydraulic	Finishes
Walls	Switchboard	Heating	Water	Floor
Roof covering	Power	Cooling	Waste water	Walls
Coverings	Lights			Ceiling
External paths	Fixtures			Floor coverings
	Comms. Systems

Building inspection information on the details and condition of the building assets will be determined by the assessors in accordance with an agreed checklist that defines the condition and importance of the building element. This would be developed at the outset with client.

Each asset would be reviewed in relation to the agreed ‘level of service’ and assigned a condition and priority rating.
Preliminary estimates would be prepared for those assets that are in a poor state of service.

Inspections would generally be restricted to all above ground and visible items, as below ground services would require excavation of the site or the use of an ‘in pipe’ television camera.

In the next stage of investigation the building elements and equipment would be assessed for whole of life costs. This would provide the client with a clear understanding of the financial commitments with the building stock expected over a twenty‐five (25) year period.

Delivery of Services
At the early stage of investigation it is important to confirm the compliance of the provision of the following services at the facility:

• laundry; and
• food services.

This review would confirm whether they currently comply with relevant health
requirements and outlined preliminary indicative costs to upgrade the services to meet
industry standards.
Issues that would be reviewed as part of the initial building infrastructure audit include:

Laundry Services

• clear separation between clean and dirty areas;
• the achievement of disinfection during the laundry process;
• a separate entry and exit to allow for one‐way work flow;
• separate storage for soiled laundry with adequate ventilation;
• the separation of washers and dryers to void cross infection;
• sufficient room in the clean area for folding, labelling, distribution, etc.;
• door opening to be of sufficient size to allow access for equipment and trolleys;
• mounting of all services and laundry equipment to provide for easy access for maintenance and cleaning;
• the need to create a positive ventilation air flow from clean to dirty;
• the storage of chemicals and the installation of a chemical dispensing system and;
• exhaust flues and “make up air” for the dryers.

Food Services

• condition of floor coverings and wall finishes in kitchen;
• extent and condition of benching in kitchen;
• provision of adequate wash‐up equipment and hand basins for hygiene;
• suitability and condition of refrigeration and freezer equipment;
• suitability and condition of all cooking equipment and utensils and;
• review of potential occupation, health and safety issues.

In the next stage of investigations various options will be evaluated to either improve
the existing systems or to ensure their compliance.

Site Restraints

A broad review would be undertaken at the outset of the facility evaluation into:

• heritage issues.
• town planning restraints.
• the potential for future development.
• physical restraints.

Position in Market Place

A broad assessment would also be undertaken of the facility in relation to its current standing in the aged care market and in particular the ability to satisfy market trends (residents per room, private ensuites, and communal facilities), building quality and access to services that would be expected by future residents in 10 to 20 years time.