If you own or manage a commercial or shared-residential building in NSW, you have probably been told you need an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) each year. The obvious next question is what it costs. This guide gives realistic market ranges and, more importantly, explains what actually drives the price so you can budget with confidence.
What is an Annual Fire Safety Statement?
An Annual Fire Safety Statement is a document confirming that each of the essential fire safety measures in your building has been inspected and assessed by an accredited practitioner, and that each measure is capable of performing to the standard required. Under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, an AFSS is required annually for most Class 1b to 9 buildings. It must be lodged with your local council and Fire and Rescue NSW, and displayed in a prominent position in the building. Requirements can vary, so always confirm the specifics with your council or an accredited practitioner.
How much does an AFSS cost in NSW?
As a rough guide, a small building with only a handful of fire safety measures might sit at the lower end of a few hundred dollars, while a larger or more complex property with many measures can run into the thousands. That is a wide range on purpose, because the work involved for a small strata block is very different from the work involved for a multi-storey commercial building. Every building is different, so the figure that matters is the one on a quote prepared for your specific property. You can get a free quote at any time.
It is worth knowing what sits inside that price. The statement itself is the final document, but most of the cost is the inspection and assessment work behind it. That is where our fire safety inspections come in, and it is the part that varies most from building to building.
What drives the cost of an AFSS?
Several factors move the price up or down. Understanding them helps you see why quotes differ and why a fixed price cannot be given sight-unseen.
- Building class and size. A larger building, or one with multiple floors and tenancies, takes longer to inspect and involves more measures to assess.
- Number of essential fire safety measures. Every measure listed on your fire safety schedule must be assessed. A building with smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire doors, exit and emergency lighting, and hydrant systems costs more to inspect than one with just a few basic measures.
- Condition of the measures. Well-maintained equipment moves quickly through inspection. Aged or poorly maintained systems take longer to assess and are more likely to fail.
- Rectification work. If a measure does not meet the required standard, it must be repaired or replaced before the statement can be issued. Rectification is a separate cost and is often the biggest variable, so it pays to keep your systems maintained through the year.
- Location. Travel to buildings further from a practitioner's base can affect the quote. We serve metro Sydney plus the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra and South Coast, so distance is rarely an issue for local owners.
Why can't I get a fixed price online?
Any honest fire safety practitioner will want to know what is on your fire safety schedule before quoting. Two buildings on the same street can have very different schedules, and the number and condition of the measures changes the work involved. A price quoted without seeing your schedule is a guess, and a guess helps nobody. That is why we prepare a quote based on your building rather than a one-size-fits-all rate. Learn more about the process on our Annual Fire Safety Statements page.
How can I keep AFSS costs down?
The single biggest cost driver is rectification, so the best way to control your spend is to keep your fire safety measures maintained across the year rather than discovering problems at statement time. Regular servicing of smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire doors, and exit and emergency lighting means fewer surprises when the annual assessment comes around. Booking your inspection in good time, rather than in a last-minute rush before your due date, also gives you room to plan any repairs sensibly.
Who can issue an AFSS in NSW?
Each essential fire safety measure must be assessed by a suitably qualified and, where required, accredited fire safety practitioner. We are FPAA-accredited fire safety practitioners and all our work is carried out to the relevant Australian Standards. We work across the Sydney metro area and surrounding regions, from the Sydney CBD through to Gosford and beyond. If you are unsure who is qualified to sign off on a particular measure in your building, confirm with your council or an accredited practitioner.
Ready to find out what your AFSS will cost?
The only way to get an accurate figure is a quote based on your building's fire safety schedule, its measures and their condition. We are happy to walk you through it, explain what your building needs, and give you a clear price with no pressure. Blaze Fire Safety is rated 5.0 on Google and works to Australian Standards on every job. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote and we will help you stay compliant without overpaying.