Who is responsible for Annual fire safety statements?
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.
Who completes the certificates and statements?
The Fire Safety Certificates and Annual Fire Safety Statements can only be signed by the owner or his agent and not by the “properly qualified” person.
When is an Annual Fire Safety Statement due?
A Fire Safety Statement must be obtained on an annual basis, from the date on which the initial Fire Safety Certificate (formerly known as a Form 6 or Form 15 Certificate) was obtained and submitted to council in response to a Building Approval, Construction Certificate, Complying Development Certificate, fire safety order or Development Consent.
If a Fire Safety Statement has not been submitted to Council on an annual basis from the date of the initial Fire Safety Certificate and has not been submitted to Council within the past 12 months, it is now overdue and must be submitted to Council as soon as possible to avoid a fine and/or legal action.
The performance of a fire protection system depends not only on the quality of the product, but in the quality of its maintenance program. All fire equipment must be maintained in accordance with Australian standards.
For any equipment to perform at maximum efficiency, particularly in an emergency, it must be meticulously serviced and tested at regular intervals to ensure it works if and when you might need it.
