Certification

What is an Annual Fire Safety Statement?

An annual fire safety statement is issued by the owner of a building to the effect that:

• Each essential fire safety measure specified in the statement has been assessed by a properly qualified person and was found, when it was assessed, to be capable of performing:

• In the case of an essential fire safety measure applicable by virtue of a fire safety schedule, to a standard no less than that specified in the schedule, or

• In the case of an essential fire safety measure applicable otherwise than by virtue of a fire safety schedule, to a standard no less than that to which the measure was originally designed and implemented, and

• The  building has been inspected by a properly qualified person and was found, when it was inspected, to be in a condition that did not disclose any grounds for a prosecution under division 7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Requirements of annual fire safety statements

The assessment and inspection of an essential fire safety measure or building must have been carried out within the period of three (3) months prior to the date on which the annual fire safety statement is issued.

The choice of person to carry out an assessment or inspection is up to the owner of the building.

The person who carries out an assessment must inspect and verify the performance of each fire safety measure being assessed.

Form of fire safety certificates

A fire safety certificate for a building or part of a building must contain the following information:

• the name and address of the owner of the building or part;
• a description of the building or part (including its address);
• a list  identifying each essential fire safety measure in the building or part, together with the minimum standard of performance specified in the relevant fire safety schedule in relation to each such measure;
• the  date or dates on which the essential fire safety measures were assessed;
• the  type of certificate being issued (that is, final or interim);
• a statement to the effect referred to in clause 170 (for a final certificate) or clause 173 (for an interim certificate);
• the date on which the certificate is issued.

A fire safety certificate for a building or part of a building must be accompanied by a fire safety schedule for the building or part.

Final fire safety certificates

The assessment of essential fire safety measures must have been carried out within the period of three (3) months prior to the date on which a final fire safety certificate is issued.

The choice of person to carry out an assessment is up to the owner of the building.

A person who carries out an assessment :

• must inspect and verify the performance of each fire safety measure being assessed; and
• must test the operation of each new item of equipment installed in the building premises that is included in the current fire safety schedule for the building.

A final fire safety certificate issued in relation to work that has been authorised or required by a development consent, construction certificate, or fire safety order need not deal with any essential fire safety measure that is the subject of some other final fire safety certificate or fire safety statement issued within the previous six (6) months, unless the person who issues the development consent, construction certificate, or fire safety order, determines otherwise Armidale Fire &Safety do not charge for the issue of Annual Fire Safety Statements, this is provided as part of our service.