What is an Annual Fire Safety Statement?

An Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) is a legal document that certifies a building’s compliance with fire safety regulations and standards.

 

It serves as proof that the necessary fire safety measures have been implemented, inspected, and maintained in accordance with the requirements. Since 1st July 2020, building owners are required to engage an Accredited Practitioner (Fire Safety) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Essential Fire Safety Measures (EFSM) in their building.

 

For detailed information on current legislation and to remain updated, please visit the following NSW Government link.

Fire Protection Association Australia Gold Member logo for Total Fire Solutions.

Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS)

NSW Government implemented changes to fire safety compliance which took effect from the first of July 2020. This new legislation requires building owners to engage an Accredited Practitioner (Fire Safety) to do a comprehensive evaluation of the Critical Fire Safety Measures in their building.

This is to ensure your fire safety equipment meets the performance requirements of the initial installation. This requires a far greater level of expertise and more rigorous assessment than a routine fire safety inspection and testing. We understand many building owners are confused about the requirements and unsure if they are compliant or not.

We are here to help you understand the basics of AFSS certification and why it is essential for safeguarding lives and properties. Below is a clear overview of AFSS, annual fire safety inspections and annual fire safety certificates, empowering you to meet the necessary standards, avoid costly fines and maintain a fire-safe environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

A council provided Fire Safety Schedule that includes the Essential Fire Safety Measures and their relevant Minimum Standard of Performance and the associated council letter.  A fire safety schedule (FSS) plays a key role in ensuring that a building’s fire safety measures are installed and maintained to meet a minimum performance standard.

The building owner and/or its agent is typically responsible for submitting the AFSS.
In New South Wales, the AFSS must be submitted to your local council and NSW Fire Rescue within 12 months after the previous statement was submitted.
No, since 1st July 2020, building owners are required to engage an Accredited Practitioner to conduct an assessment and endorse the AFSS prior to submission.

Failure to submit the AFSS by the deadline may result in penalties or fines of up to $4,000.
Councils may impose fines such as the following:
$1000 for the first week overdue
$2000 for the second week overdue
$3000 for the third week overdue
$4000 for the fourth and any subsequent week overdue

 

It’s crucial to comply with the submission requirements to avoid any legal consequences. If you have any concerns about your compliance or deadlines, please reach out and we can help.

An Accredited Practitioner (Fire Safety) (such as Total Fire) conducts a comprehensive assessment of the Essential Fire Safety Measures in your building to ensure compliance with regulations and standards. We provide a detailed assessment report and endorse the AFSS confirming your compliance with required standards.
Routine fire safety inspections should be conducted as per the guidelines outlined in the Australian Standard AS 1851-2012. The frequency may vary depending on the specific fire safety measures in the building. Please contact us to get a fire safety maintenance schedule for your specific needs.
Yes, an Accredited Practitioner (Fire Safety) must hold the necessary qualifications and accreditations as mandated by the relevant authorities, such as being listed on the FPAS Fire Safety Assessment Accredited Practitioner Register. Total Fire Solutions is fully accredited, and our technicians are experts at these assessments.
Yes, it is possible to change your Accredited Practitioner if necessary. However, it’s important to ensure a smooth transition and to inform the authorities about the change. If you have a current provider and wish to change, let us know and we can help with this transition.
The requirement for an AFSS may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of building. Simply get in touch and we can help determine your individual requirements to ensure you are compliant.
If non-compliance is identified during the assessment, we will provide recommendations and work with you to rectify the issues and bring the building up to the required standards.
The AFSS is not a ‘set’ fee. Completing the steps in section 2 and ensuring you are not penalised for non-compliance relies on a variety of factors. At Total Fire Solutions we offer finance options. Contact the team by clicking on the link below.

This is the original building information and any updates in relation to the fire systems available throughout the building, these include architectural drawings, plans, mechanical and air flow details, sprinkler systems, detection and alarm systems, hydrant systems, any fire designs and design approvals, FER (Fire Engineer Report), Fire Safety Schedule, and other data or information related to fire equipment.

Get in touch with one of our team members today

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