If you own or manage a building in New South Wales, you may have heard about the recent 12-month deferral for compliance with AS 1851—the Australian Standard that governs the servicing and maintenance of fire protection systems. Originally set to take effect sooner, the deadline has now been extended to 13 February 2026.
We know there’s been a lot of confusion around what this means for building owners, so we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide to answer your most pressing questions.
What Is the AS 1851 Deferral?
The deferral simply means that mandatory enforcement of AS 1851 compliance has been delayed for a year. However, this does not mean that fire safety requirements have been paused. Building owners are still legally responsible for ensuring that fire protection systems are operational and comply with the standards to which they were installed.
Does This Mean I Can Ignore Fire Safety for the Next 12 Months?
Absolutely not. Your legal responsibility to maintain any essential fire safety measure within your building has not changed.
- If you are already following the maintenance requirements of AS 1851, that’s great! You can continue operating with confidence, knowing that you are meeting best practices in fire safety.
- If your building is not yet compliant, this deferral is not an excuse to do nothing. The deferral does not negate compliance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021. Compliance with the EPA Regulation is mandatory and non-compliant buildings will face serious consequences.
A fire safety assessor will not sign off on your Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) if a fire safety measure is not performing as per the original standard it was installed to. Delaying necessary maintenance and repairs now could leave you legally exposed.
What Does a Fire Safety Assessor Look for?
In New South Wales, fire safety assessors ensure buildings comply with regulations outlined in the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021.
Their primary role is to assess essential fire safety measures in a building as part of the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS). This means they must verify that:
- Fire safety systems are functioning at or above the standards listed in your fire safety schedule.
- Any original fire safety measures still perform to the standard for which they were originally designed and installed.
If your system fails to meet these requirements, your AFSS cannot be issued—leaving your building non-compliant and potentially uninsurable.
What Should Building Owners Do Now?
Even though the compliance deadline has been extended, building owners should use this time wisely.
- Plan and budget for necessary fire system maintenance and upgrades.
- Train staff and building managers on fire safety best practices.
- Work with accredited fire safety professionals to ensure your systems will meet AS 1851 requirements before the enforcement deadline arrives.
At Global Fire, we strongly support AS 1851 compliance and encourage building owners to use this extra time strategically. Ensuring your fire protection systems are up to standard now will prevent last-minute stress, financial strain, and potential legal issues when the mandate is enforced in 2026.
Global Fire have their customers interests in mind and want them to be informed about their legal obligations and as accredited fire safety practitioners can provide expert guidance in preparing for AS 1851 compliance. Contact Global Fire today to ensure your building is fire-safe and legally compliant—before it’s too late.
T 1300 88 70 18