Fire Safety

If your development includes any fire safety measures (for example: sprinklers, hydrants, hose reels, smoke detection and alarm systems, exit signs, fire doors), you must provide a Fire Safety Certificate when the work is complete and before an Occupation Certificate is issued. The certificate confirms all measures listed in the fire safety schedule have been installed and can perform to the required standard.
Guidance is provided by the NSW Department of Planning.

If your building has a fire safety schedule, the owner must submit ongoing statements:

• Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS): confirms every measure on the schedule has been assessed by an accredited practitioner (fire safety) within the previous 12 months and is capable of performing to the required standard.

• Supplementary Fire Safety Statement (SFSS): for critical measures that require more frequent verification (e.g. more than once per year) as specified on the schedule.

Lodgement & display: Provide your AFSS/SFSS to Council and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and display a copy prominently in the building. FRNSW accepts online submissions and provides the current forms.

Timing: The assessment date and statement date must align with the Regulation’s timeframes (including the three-month window to issue after assessment). See the NSW Regulation for details.

Who can assess the measures?

Assessments for AFSS/SFSS must be carried out by an accredited practitioner (fire safety). The owner is responsible for engaging a suitably qualified person.

A fire safety schedule lists the measures required for a building and the applicable performance standards (e.g. AS/NZS standards). Schedules are typically issued with development consents, construction certificates or via fire safety orders.

Some measures may be marked “critical”, triggering SFSS requirements.

Council or FRNSW may issue a Fire Safety Order if the level of fire safety in a building is inadequate or if measures are not maintained/certified. Orders specify the steps and timeframes the owner must meet.

Your responsibilities at a glance

• Install all measures listed on the fire safety schedule to the required standard.

• Obtain a Fire Safety Certificate when works are complete (prior to Occupation Certificate).

• Arrange routine inspection, testing and maintenance of each measure.

• Submit AFSS every 12 months and SFSS as required for critical measures. Lodge to Council and FRNSW and display in the building.

• Keep records of inspections, maintenance and certifications.

• Comply with any Fire Safety Orders.

How to lodge

1. Prepare: Engage an accredited practitioner (fire safety) to assess each measure and complete the statement(s).

2. Submit:

   • To Council: upload or email your signed AFSS/SFSS and current fire safety schedule.

   • To FRNSW: lodge via FRNSW’s “Lodge a fire safety statement” page or forms hub.

3. Display: Place a copy of the current AFSS and schedule in a prominent location within the building.

Helpful links (NSW)

• Fire safety certification – NSW Planning (what certificates/statements are and when they’re needed).

• Fire safety statements – FAQs for building owners and practitioners (NSW Planning).

• Lodge a Fire Safety Statement / FRNSW forms.