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Are you a building owner in NSW? If you own a building that was built or redeveloped after 1988, you may need to submit an annual fire safety statement (AFSS) to your local council and the Fire Commissioner.
An AFSS is a document that confirms your building meets Australian standards.
This means all the essential fire safety measures in your building are working properly.
It also verifies that exit systems comply with the building code and do not pose any fire safety risks.
This article will give you an overview of what the AFSS certification is, who can issue an annual fire safety certificate, and why it is essential for your business.
Who can issue an Annual Fire Safety Statement?
An AFSS must be issued by an accredited practitioner (fire safety) who has assessed, inspected, and verified the performance of each fire safety measure in your building.
You can find a list of accredited practitioners on the Fire Protection Association Australia website.
When you decide on a competent fire safety practitioner, check their website and popular review sites for reviews.
It’s like the old saying, “Measure twice, cut once.”
How often does an AFSS need to be issued?
As the name suggests, an annual fire safety inspection must be submitted each year within 12 months of the date of the previous statement.
That means if your current AFSS was issued on 29 July last year, you need to submit it by 28 July next year. Simple as.
But what if your building doesn’t pass its safety inspection? Failure in any critical fire safety measures, such as sprinklers or smoke alarms, may mean you also need to submit a supplementary fire safety statement.
These are submitted at more frequent intervals, as specified in your fire safety schedule.
What is a Safety Schedule?
A fire safety schedule is a document that lists all the essential and critical fire safety measures that apply to your building.
It also lists the standards your building needs to meet.
You should have received a fire safety schedule when your building was constructed or redeveloped, or when you applied for a development consent or a complying development certificate.
If you don’t have a fire safety schedule, contact your fire safety consultant or local city council to obtain one.
How to submit an AFSS
To submit an AFSS, your fire safety practitioner must use the standard form available on the NSW Planning, Industry, and Environment website.
They also need to provide a copy of your current fire safety schedule and pay the relevant fees to your local council.
You can find more information about how to submit an AFSS on your council’s website.
A copy of your AFSS and fire safety schedule must be provided to the Fire Commissioner as soon as possible after issuing the statement.
This can be done online via the Fire and Rescue NSW website.
Finally, you need to display a copy of your AFSS and fire safety schedule prominently in your building, where it can be easily seen by occupants and visitors.
The low down
Failure to submit your AFSS can result in up to a $4,000 penalty, and what business wants to cop that fee? That’s why it’s crucial to have a certified fire safety specialist walk you through the process and get you sorted.
Submitting an annual fire safety statement is not only a legal requirement, but also a way to ensure that your building is safe and compliant with the fire safety regulations.
It can also help you avoid penalties for non-compliance, which can range from fines to prosecution.
