AFSS

An annual fire safety statement (AFSS) is a declaration by or on behalf of a building owner that a competent fire safety practitioner (CFSP) has:

• assessed, inspected and verified the performance of each existing essential fire safety measure that applies to the building, and
• inspected the exit systems serving the building and found that the exit systems within the building do not contravene the provisions of Division 7 of Part 9 of the Regulation.

A building owner must ensure that an annual fire safety statement for the building is issued each year and that a copy of the statement is provided to the local council and Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW.

The Brigade Fire system dynamically generates electronic AFSS documentation which reduces manual workflow and increases productivity both for office and mobile workforces. This results in faster processing times and reduced overheads.

Who must issue the fire safety statement? (clause 175 and 178)

The Regulation requires that the building owner or their agent issue the fire safety statement by signing the declaration in section 8 of the form for annual fire safety statements and section 9 for supplementary fire safety statements.

Building owners could include individuals, a company or an owner’s corporation.

Where a person issues the statement on behalf of the owner(s) (as the owner’s agent), this person must have the appropriate authority from the building owner(s) to undertake this function.

In the case of a building with multiple owners, one owner may issue the statement, however each of the other owners must authorise the owner who issues the statement to act as their agent.

Competent fire safety practitioners must not issue a fire safety statement where they have assessed a fire safety measure or inspected the building’s exit system (for an annual fire safety statement). This is consistent with the fire safety statement process in the Regulation, which recognises the different roles and responsibilities for building owner(s) and CFSPs. It also ensures building owners (who are ultimately responsible) remain directly engaged in the fire safety statement process. The Brigade Fire system fast tracks the authorisation process through our innovative technology resulting in drastically reduced printing, less manual processing, and reduced delays in approval and lodgement.