The Annual Fire Safety Statement, often shortened to AFSS, is one of the most common compliance obligations for property owners in NSW. If you own a rental, a strata unit block, a shop, an office, a warehouse or a mixed-use building, there is a strong chance the rules apply to you. This guide explains who needs an AFSS, what it actually certifies, and how to stay on the right side of your council.
What is an Annual Fire Safety Statement?
An Annual Fire Safety Statement is a document that confirms the essential fire safety measures in your building have been assessed by a competent or accredited person and are capable of performing to the standard they were designed to meet. It is signed by the building owner or their agent and lodged with the local council, with a copy given to Fire and Rescue NSW.
The statement does not change your building. It is a formal declaration that the safety systems already installed, such as alarms, extinguishers and exit lighting, have been checked and are working. Think of it as an annual health check for everything in your building that is designed to protect people in a fire.
Who needs to lodge one in NSW?
Under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, owners of buildings that contain one or more essential fire safety measures generally need to lodge an Annual Fire Safety Statement. In practice this covers most Class 1b to Class 9 buildings, including:
- Residential rental properties and boarding style accommodation
- Strata and company title unit blocks
- Shops, offices and other commercial premises
- Mixed-use buildings with residential above retail or commercial
- Warehouses, factories and industrial units
Standalone single dwellings, broadly the ordinary family home in Class 1a, usually fall outside these requirements. Because building classifications and local requirements vary, the safest approach is to confirm your obligations with your local council or an accredited practitioner before assuming you are exempt.
What is an essential fire safety measure?
An essential fire safety measure is any part of your building that is installed to prevent, warn about, contain or help people escape a fire. Your building is issued a Fire Safety Schedule that lists the specific measures that apply to it. Common examples include:
- Smoke alarms and detection systems
- Fire extinguishers and hose reels
- Fire doors and fire-rated walls
- Exit signs and emergency lighting
- Sprinkler systems and hydrants
Every measure on your schedule must be inspected and assessed before the statement can be signed. If you are unsure which measures apply to your property, a fire safety inspection will identify what is on your schedule and confirm whether each item is compliant.
How often do you need one?
An Annual Fire Safety Statement must be lodged every 12 months. The due date is usually tied to the anniversary of your previous statement or the date your original Fire Safety Certificate was issued. Missing the deadline means your building is no longer compliant, even if the systems themselves are in good order, so it pays to book your inspection well before the statement is due.
Setting a reminder each year, or working with a provider who tracks your due date for you, is the simplest way to avoid a lapse. Our team at Blaze Fire Safety keeps an eye on your renewal so your Annual Fire Safety Statement is ready on time, every year.
What happens if your statement is overdue?
An overdue Annual Fire Safety Statement can attract penalties, and councils have the power to take enforcement action against non-compliant buildings. Beyond the compliance risk, an out of date statement can create problems with insurance and can complicate the sale or lease of a property. Because the exact penalties and enforcement steps can vary, confirm the current position with your local council or an accredited practitioner rather than relying on general figures.
New buildings and occupation certificates
If you have a newly built or recently altered building, your first fire safety document is usually a Fire Safety Certificate issued at completion, which is closely linked to your occupation certificate. The Annual Fire Safety Statement then takes over from the following year and continues every 12 months after that. Getting this handover right from the start avoids gaps in your compliance history.
How Blaze Fire Safety can help
Blaze Fire Safety Pty Ltd is a team of FPAA-accredited fire safety practitioners based in Kogarah Bay, NSW. We handle inspections, assessments and statements for property owners across metro Sydney, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra and South Coast, including the Sydney CBD. All of our work is carried out to the relevant Australian Standards, and we hold a 5.0 rating on Google.
Whether you are a first-time landlord unsure if the rules apply, a strata committee managing a unit block, or a commercial owner who wants the whole process handled, we can inspect your building, assess each essential fire safety measure and prepare a compliant statement for lodgement.
Not sure where your building stands? Contact us for a free quote or call (02) 5760 8991, and we will help you work out exactly what you need to stay compliant.