Fire Safety
Essential fire safety measures are items such as hose reels, hydrants, exit and emergency signs and lights, portable fire extinguishers, fire and smoke alarms.
A fire safety certificate is required if any of these measures were installed or applied to a building from 1 July 1988. Generally, the Building Code of Australia specifies in what parts and/or types of buildings the essential fire safety measures are required.
Council can require that the measures be installed in existing buildings, in a new building or addition, or if an application is made to change the use of an existing building. If they are required, Council will provide the owner with a schedule listing the items required and relevant maintenance standards.
What is a fire safety certificate?
A fire safety certificate indicates that fire safety measures have been installed and perform in accordance with the Building Code of Australia and relevant Australian Standards.
The certificate must be lodged with Council by the building owner immediately on completion of the fire safety upgrading, development or building work, and before the new use is commenced and/or the building is occupied.
Fire safety statements
A fire safety statement is a document issued by or on behalf of the owner(s) of an existing building.
The statement confirms that an accredited practitioner (fire safety) has assessed, inspected and verified the performance of each fire safety measure that applies to the building.
There are two types of fire safety statements:
- Annual fire safety statements
An annual fire safety statement must be issued each year and include all the essential fire safety measures that apply to a building. The statement also verifies that an accredited practitioner (fire safety) has inspected and confirmed that the exit systems in the building are in compliance with the Regulation. - Supplementary fire safety statements
A supplementary fire safety statement is issued at more regular intervals (as specified in the fire safety schedule) for any critical fire safety measures that apply to a building.
The certificate must be submitted to Central Coast Council on the anniversary of the fire safety certificate being issued. Building owners must ensure that fire safety certificates and statements are lodged with council. There are substantial penalties for failing to submit any statement or certificate by the due date.
Fire safety certificates and statements can only be signed by the owner or owner's agent and not the person performing the inspection.
Council charges a fee for processing this statement and an invoice will be forwarded in accordance with Council’s Fees and Charges.
Certificate display
The annual fire safety statement must be displayed in a prominent location in the building and a copy forwarded to NSW Fire and Rescue. These can be submitted via the link https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/afsssubmission