What Is an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) in Australia?

The Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) is a formal declaration by a building owner that all essential fire safety measures in their building have been assessed and are operational. It is a legal requirement in New South Wales and similar frameworks exist in other states under different names.

This guide explains what the AFSS is, how evacuation diagrams fit into the process, and what building owners need to do.

What Is the AFSS?

The AFSS is an annual certification process where:

• A building owner engages an accredited fire safety practitioner to inspect all essential fire safety measures
• The practitioner assesses each measure against the standard of performance required by the building's fire safety schedule
• The building owner signs a statement declaring all measures are operational
• The signed AFSS is displayed in the building and copies sent to the local council and the fire authority
• The process must be completed annually, with the statement lodged within 12 months of the previous one

What Are Essential Safety Measures?

Essential Safety Measures (ESMs) are the fire safety systems and features installed in a building. Common ESMs include:

• Fire detection and alarm systems
• Sprinkler systems
• Fire hydrant systems
• Fire hose reels
• Portable fire extinguishers
• Emergency lighting
• Exit signs
• Fire doors and smoke doors
• Fire stairs and fire-isolated passageways
• Mechanical air handling and smoke control systems
• Evacuation diagrams and emergency plans
• Fire control rooms and panels

Not every building has every measure. The specific ESMs required are listed on the building's fire safety schedule, which is created during the development approval process.

How Evacuation Diagrams Are Assessed

If evacuation diagrams are listed on the fire safety schedule, the practitioner will check:

• Diagrams are installed at all locations specified in the emergency plan
• Diagrams are current (matching the building's current layout)
• Diagrams are legible and undamaged
• Diagrams comply with AS 3745 (correct content, size, orientation, and "You Are Here" positioning)
• The emergency plan referenced by the diagrams is current
• Any deficiencies from the previous year's assessment have been rectified

Who Needs an AFSS?

In NSW, an AFSS is required for:

• Any building with a fire safety schedule listed on its construction certificate or complying development certificate
• Buildings that have been issued a Fire Safety Order by Fire and Rescue NSW
• Buildings that have undergone fire safety upgrades required by council
• Most commercial, industrial, and multi-residential buildings

Single residential dwellings (houses) typically do not require an AFSS. However, if a house is used as a commercial premises (home-based childcare, bed and breakfast), it may trigger AFSS requirements.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to lodge an AFSS or submitting a false statement can result in:

• Fines from the local council (penalty notices)
• Fire Safety Orders from Fire and Rescue NSW requiring immediate rectification
• Court proceedings for persistent non-compliance
• Insurance implications: insurers may dispute claims if the AFSS was not current at the time of a fire
• Personal liability for building owners and body corporate committee members
• Difficulty selling or leasing the property (buyers and tenants increasingly request AFSS records)

Other States

While the AFSS is specific to NSW, other states have equivalent frameworks:

• Victoria: Annual Essential Safety Measures Report (AESMR)
• Queensland: Building Fire Safety Regulation requires annual compliance
• South Australia: Essential Safety Provisions maintenance requirements
• Western Australia: Building Code compliance certificates
• The principles are similar across all states: annual inspection, certification, and lodgement

Keep Your Diagrams AFSS-Ready

The easiest way to avoid diagram-related AFSS deficiencies is to keep them current year-round. Review diagrams whenever the building layout changes, and replace any that are damaged or faded.

EvacPath creates AS 3745-compliant evacuation diagrams that meet AFSS assessment standards. Print-ready PDFs delivered in 3 to 5 business days. Pricing starts at A$70 per diagram.