Installation of mains switch inside a unit

An owner of a building containing 100 units has written to the building manager asking for permission to install a mains switch inside his unit.

    The building was designed with two switch rooms on each level. These contain the power boards for common areas and all units. All switch rooms are keyed alike and the BM keeps a key in a safe in the entrance foyer.

    In the event of a power failure to a unit the owner or tenant has to ask the BM for the code to the safe which holds the key to the switch rooms. The system works perfectly unless the BM is unavailable, sometimes up to 12 hours at night.

    I am another owner who is unhappy with the present arrangement. A few weeks ago there was a power failure in my unit and my tenant packed his bags and walked out at midnight when I was unable to contact the BM so that power could be restored.  

    The strata manager has advised the BM that because common property would be involved a special by law would have to be passed. This building was built in 1960. Do other buildings have this problem and what have they done about it?

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