Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS)
Annual fire safety statement (AFSS) is a document issued by building owners or Owners Corporation validating that for the preceding twelve months all fire safety measures listed on the fire safety schedule have been tested and maintained to a minimum safety standard as required under Australian Standards - AS1851.2012.
An AFSS is issued for a building as a whole – collectively across tenancies, building spaces or building blocks in a larger complex. The building owners, building strata groups, owner’s corporation or facility management are responsible for checking, consolidating and validating fire safety measures as per the fire safety schedule.
AFSS does not supersede building owners’ responsibility to monitor and maintain fire safety measures throughout the year if a system falls below standards or fails in accordance with AS1851.2012 and other applicable Australian Standards. AS1851.2012 requires testing of fire safety measures to a schedule.
For Example:
Fire sprinklers are tested monthly, six monthly and yearly. In addition, tested on five yearly, 10 yearly, 25 yearly and 30 yearly.
Testing of AFSS:
The testing date for each fire safety measure is the baseline date for the building’s fire safety measures. The baseline date is the date, which each fire safety measure passes the test for operation use. This meant the building is safe to occupy. The final fire safety certificate recorded the baseline date / testing date. You may contact Council Building Services to verify the details.
Testing = checking, validating, repairing or replacing a fire safety measure.
Council may extend time for an AFSS; however, that does not change the due date for AFSS. It does not change the baseline date for testing. Testing schedule remains the same and continue from the baseline date. The only change to testing schedule will occur with a building audit and a new fire safety schedule resulting in a new final fire safety certificate.
Class 1a buildings do not need an AFSS
Please note that single dwelling houses classified as Class 1a under the National Construction Code / Building Code of Australia do not need to submit an AFSS however these development are required to have hard wired smoke detectors / alarms installed. A licensed electrician can supply and fit a smoke alarm that complies with the Australian Standards.
These include single dwelling houses, and can also include dual occupancies, terraces, or villa houses however classifications can changes varying on building design such as common basements, connecting roof spaces and common walls.
Contact Council or an Accredited Building Surveyor / Building Certifier if you are unsure whether this classification applies to your property.
For more information, visit:
Penalties
It is an offence to fail to provide an AFSS. Substantial and continuing weekly penalty notices apply for this offence:
- 1 week late $1,000
- 2 weeks late an additional $2,000
- 3 weeks late an additional $3,000
- 4 weeks late an additional $4,000.
Ensuring testing and an AFSS is issued on time is the legal responsibility of the building owner and property owners should not rely on Council to issue courtesy reminder letters
Failure to submit an annual fire safety statement could also lead to legal proceedings in the Land and Environment Court.
How to submit your annual fire safety statement?
Please contact Council for more information:
02 9911 9911
council@burwood.nsw.gov.au
There is an administration fee for lodgement in accordance with Council's adopted fees and charges
Once your Annual Fire Safety Statement is submitted, you will be invoiced directly.
Note: Payment is required prior to the registration.
For more information
Please contact Council for more information:
02 9911 9911
council@burwood.nsw.gov.au