If you own or manage a building in New South Wales, the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) is one of the most important compliance documents you’ll deal with each year — and one of the most misunderstood.
An AFSS confirms that each essential fire safety measure in your building has been assessed by a competent fire safety practitioner and is performing to the standard required. It must be issued every 12 months and lodged with your local council and Fire and Rescue NSW.
Who needs an AFSS?
Almost every commercial, industrial and multi-residential building requires an AFSS. If your building has fire measures such as alarms, extinguishers, exit lighting, hydrants or sprinklers listed on its Fire Safety Schedule, an annual statement is a legal obligation.
- Strata and body corporate properties with shared fire systems
- Commercial offices, retail and shopping centres
- Hotels, schools, warehouses and industrial facilities
- Any building with a Fire Safety Schedule issued by council
What happens if you miss the deadline?
A late or missing AFSS can lead to significant penalties from council, and — more importantly — it can leave your building exposed in the event of a fire or insurance claim. Councils issue infringement notices for overdue statements, and repeat non-compliance can escalate to court-imposed fines.
“The cheapest AFSS is the one that’s never late. Staying ahead of your renewal date is the single easiest way to keep a building compliant.”
How Abate Fire makes it simple
We manage the entire process for you — assessing each measure against AS 1851, carrying out any servicing or rectification required, coordinating accredited practitioners, and preparing the statement ready for lodgement. You get one point of contact and a clear reminder before every renewal, so a deadline never sneaks up on you.
Whether you look after a single property or a large portfolio, we keep your compliance on track with honest advice and fast turnaround.
