Annual Fire Safety Statement and Building Certification ( AFSS )
Annual Fire Safety Statement ( AFSS ) list Essential fire safety measures at any installations or type of construction that have been incorporated into the building to ensure the safety of the occupants within the building in the event of fire or other emergency, and TSG Electrical & Fire Contractor are your provider.
Call 1300874353
Essential fire safety measures are any installations or type of construction that have been incorporated into the building to ensure the safety of the occupants within the building in the event of fire or other emergency, and may include such measures as:
- Fire hose reels
- Fire hydrants
- Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
- Fire doors
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke exhaust systems
- Exit signs & Emergency lighting
- Fire Panels
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 contains a list of statutory fire safety measures that may be installed in a building. There may be some other measures, equipment or forms of construction that are not listed, which can be included for the purpose of ensuring the safety of persons in a building in the event of fire.
NSW Government Building Regulation and Certification Reform?
In December 2017, the NSW Government through NSW Planning and Environment implemented sweeping reforms to building certification and most importantly Annual Fire Safety Statements and Certificates. Many things have changed and we encourage all building owners, tenants, contractors and anyone who is involved with essential service maintenance and certification to review the reforms. Please click on the link below for more information on the reforms that are now in place.
CFSP – Competent Fire Safety Practitioner?
A big part of the new reforms is the focus on the people who not only carry out test/inspections on essential measures in buildings, but also the persons who are signing off on annual fire safety statement. It is the responsibility of the building owners and certifiers to select and identify practitioners who are COMPETENT FIRE SAFETY PRACTIONERS (CFSP)
At this stage, the NSW Government have not set a clear guideline/benchmark on what is a CFSP so until that time, TSG Electrical & Fire Contractor have taken steps to have qualified technicians, this will put our clients mind at ease in knowing we are an extremely competent company with well trained and qualified staff.
For more information on CFSP and other FAQ regarding the new reforms
What is a Fire Safety Certificate?
A Fire Safety Certificate is certificate that is submitted by the building owner, which certifies that each of the specified essential fire safety measures listed in the Fire Safety Schedule have been installed in the building or on the land and that those measures are capable of operating to the performance standard listed in the Fire Safety Schedule.
A Fire Safety Certificate must be submitted prior to the issue of an Occupation Certificate.
Subsequently, an Annual Fire Safety Statement must then be issued every year (see below).
What is an annual fire safety statement ( AFSS ) ?
An Annual Fire Safety Statement ( AFSS ) states that each essential fire safety measure installed in the building or on the land has been assessed by a properly qualified person and was found, when it was assessed, to be capable of performing to a standard no less than that specified in the most recent Fire Safety Schedule.
Every twelve months after the Fire Safety Certificate is issued, an Annual Fire Safety Statement ( AFSS ) must be prepared and forwarded to Council. The Annual Fire Safety Statement ( AFSS ) must certify that a properly qualified person has inspected the building, assessed the fire safety measures, and found that the measure is capable of performing to the relevant standard.
Responsibilities for Certification
Who is responsible for certification?
Under the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000, the owner of the building must ensure that each of the measures have been assessed by a properly qualified person, and then forward a copy of the Annual Fire Safety Statement or Fire Safety Certificate to Council and the NSW Fire Brigades. A copy of the statement or certificate must also be prominently displayed in the building. Here at Fairdeal Fire Protection we have experienced staff in Sydney to assist you in obtaining a statement or certificate.
Who completes the certificates and statements?
The Fire Safety Certificates and Annual Fire Safety Statements ( AFSS ) can only be signed by the owner or his agent and not by the “properly qualified” person or persons.
What should I do now?
It is important that building owners are aware of these fire safety requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements is an offence and will render the owner liable to substantial penalties. But more importantly, a failure to meet these requirements can significantly affect the levels of fire safety afforded to the occupants of the building, which may threaten their life safety, as well as having significant liability implications for the building owner.
Call 1300874353