As of February 2026, NSW requires all Annual Fire Safety Statements (AFSS) to be supported by maintenance carried out strictly in accordance with AS 1851-2012. This changes how compliance is assessed, documented and enforced across Class 1b and Class 2–9 buildings.

Why This Matters

AFSS compliance is no longer about completing an annual inspection.
It now depends on whether fire safety measures have been serviced:

  • At the exact AS1851 intervals
  • Including all required lifecycle testing (e.g., 5-year, 10-year)
  • With traceable, auditable documentation

Older buildings, and those with gaps in long-term testing records, are most exposed.

AFSS Is a Legal Declaration and Must Be Defensible

An AFSS is a legal declaration, not an administrative form. It confirms that essential fire safety measures have been maintained to the required standard.

With AS1851 now underpinning the standard:

  • Servicing must follow prescribed schedules
  • Defects must be documented and managed
  • Records must be retained for at least seven years
  • Evidence must be available if requested by Council or FRNSW

If documentation is incomplete, inconsistent, or unable to demonstrate lifecycle testing, compliance exposure increases — even where systems appear operational.
NSW fire safety compliance is now evidence-based, where traceability matters as much as physical inspection.

Implications for Owners & Strata Managers

Owners and strata managers now share responsibility for ensuring:

  • AS1851-aligned servicing programs
  • Documented lifecycle testing across all systems
  • Centralised, consistent long-term record management
  • Structured defect reporting and closure

Common risks when these are not in place:

  • Financial risk — costly rectification under compressed timeframes
  • Regulatory risk — AFSS rejection or enforcement action
  • Insurance/liability risk — inability to demonstrate compliance after an incident

Validating compliance early allows staged planning, predictable budgeting and reduced exposure.

The 2026 Compliance Reality

NSW has moved to an evidence-driven compliance model.

Across many buildings, recurring gaps include:

  • Missing long-term testing records
  • Outdated or undocumented passive fire inspections
  • Fragmented maintenance records
  • Inconsistent servicing intervals across contractors

These are no longer minor administrative issues — they are potential audit triggers.

Buildings that proactively confirm their compliance position maintain control over timing and cost. Those that don’t may face urgent, unplanned rectification.

Is Your Building AFSS Ready?

A compliance validation review can identify:

  • Lifecycle testing gaps
  • Record-keeping weaknesses
  • Passive fire compliance issues
  • Opportunities to stage works strategically

Global Fire supports owners and strata managers with AS1851-compliant servicing programs, defensible documentation systems and complete AFSS coordination.

Contact Global Fire to confirm your building meets 2026 AFSS requirements.