Every building that is not a single residential dwelling or a residential garage is required to have the fire safety measures assessed annually and have an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) given to the Council, to the Fire Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW and prominently displayed in the building.
Building owners should be aware of their obligations and establish, as a matter of priority, the date that the Annual Fire Safety Statement is due each year. It is recommended that the inspection and maintenance of the fire safety measures be addressed in the months prior to the date the Annual Fire Safety Statement is due to allow any necessary maintenance to be conducted.
Council's fire safety register is constantly maintained and updated. Council will endeavour to provide an active role of reminding owners of their responsibilities under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations in causing Council to be given an annual fire safety statement for the building. Ultimately, the responsibility remains with the owner of the building with significant penalties applying to owners of buildings that do not ensure that annual fire safety statements are provided to Council by the due date.
Safety Statements and Schedules
For a copy of our current blank fire safety statement please click the link Fire Safety Statement(PDF, 368KB) .
Fire safety schedules list the measures which are needed to maintain a fire safe premises or building.
Every year, the owner of an identified class 1b to 9, building or premises MUST provide Snowy Monaro Regional Council, and Fire and Rescue NSW, with a statement that ALL prescribed fire-safety measures listed on your fire-safety schedule have been assessed and certified by a qualified person.
Safety measures may include:
- automatic fire detection and alarm systems
- automatic fire suppression systems, such as sprinkler systems
- emergency lighting and exit signs
- fire hose reels, fire hydrants and fire extinguishers
- fire doors and mechanical air-handling systems
- lightweight fire resistant construction materials
Fines will apply to those premises that are required to and do not submit an annual fire safety statement.
Fire safety schedules list the measures needed to maintain a fire safe premises or building.
Your council (SMRC) will send a courtesy reminder letter to the owners of affected premises care of the address provided for rates and notices. However, SMRC accepts no responsibility for any reliance upon this reminder letter as the legal responsibility for providing the statement when due rests with the owner of the premises.
Failure to submit an annual fire safety statement could lead to legal proceedings in the Land and Environment court, where the maximum penalty for a breach is $110,000.
Council Officers may be able to assist you in locating your fire safety schedule if you do not have a copy.
In accordance with Council’s Management Plan, Statement of Revenue Policy, and Schedule of Fees and Charges, the owner of the building is required to pay fees to council for services associated with the administration, assessment and follow-up of outstanding Fire Safety Statements.
What type of fire alarm do I need?
Everyone MUST have fire alarms fitted in every storey of their house or dwelling and depending on the class of building, in rooms where people sleep. This State Government law has been in place since 1 May 2006. There are several types of fire alarms available. The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Regulation 2006 requires that you purchase a fire alarm that has been tested as compliant with Australian Standards (AS3786) and is marked as:
- Approved to AS3786
- Accredited to AS3786
- SSL (Scientific Services Laboratory) listed. SSL is part of the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories
PLEASE NOTE: Alarms installed prior to 1 May 2006 that do not meet AS3786 are deemed to comply with the legislation
Some owners of private dwellings may have already installed fire alarms that are not AS3786 compliant. These alarms are considered acceptable, but only if they were installed prior to 1 May 2006 and only until they cease to function or are removed. This acceptance is conditional upon those fire alarms being installed in locations that comply with new regulations. If they are not installed in the right locations, they may have to be removed or additional alarms may have to be installed as set out in the new regulation.
Please note: any alarms installed after 1 May 2006 must comply with the new regulation
The number of alarms that are required will depend on the size of your home or dwelling and its configuration. A private dwelling needs an alarm placed on the ceiling in an area between sleeping and living areas (such as a hallway leading to bedrooms), as well as in any other storey of the building, even if it does not contain bedrooms. You can get more information from the NSW Fire and Rescue website.
When dealing with fire safety the following pieces of legislation may be of use. You must comply with legislation.