FAQs

For comprehensive advice contact our office. Information provided below is to be used as a guide only.​

Annual Fire Safety Statement

Also commonly known as an AFSS. An Annual Fire Safety Statement is a certificate that attests that each essential fire safety measure installed within any building has been assessed by a properly qualified person and was found to be capable of performing to the standard required by the most recent Fire Safety Schedule.

The owner of each building (or the owner’s agent on behalf of the owner) is required to provide the certificate to the Council and the Fire Brigade each 12 months and to display the current certificate prominently at the premises.

This requirement was introduced in 1988 into the then Ordinance 70. Now it is contained in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (Part 9 Division 5).

Essential Fire Safety Measures are installations or types of construction that are incorporated into a building to ensure the safety of the occupants within the building in the event of fire or other emergency. These measures include but not limited to :

  • Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (eg: Sprinkler Systems)
  • Fire Hose Reels
  • Fire Hydrants
  • Fire Doors
  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Smoke Exhaust Systems
  • Exit Signs
  • Emergency Lighting

Clause 177 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation2000 states that it is an offence to fail to provide the statement. Escalating cumulative weekly penalty notices apply for this offence:

  • 1 week late $500
  • 2 weeks late an additional $1000
  • 3 weeks late an additional $1500
  • 4 weeks late an additional $2000
It is mandatory for the fire safety statement to be endorsed by an accredited and licensed Fire Safety Assessor. Phoenix Fire Protection are accredited in all fire safety measures without limitation.

Fire Doors

Deadbolts are not permitted as hardware in fire doors because they may impede the proper function of the door to be self latching. Deadbolts can be removed and replaced with certain approved hardware self latching hardware.

There are strict clearance limits on fire doors and if these gaps exceed the limits then the door is not compliant. In most cases, however, the use of approved fire seals can bring doors up to the required standard.

Only if the door is in disrepair has faulty hardware, or do not have the required compliance tag on the door. The only option is to have the doors replaced and have new hardware installed. Door replacement is not required if the operating function is compliant and contains compliant hardware.

NO. An Asbestos lined fire door can only be removed by a licensed Class A (FRIABLE) Asbestos Remover. During the removal of the door by a licensed removalist the air must be constantly monitored using an approved and NATA tested air monitoring device. Phoenix Fire Protection is fully licensed in both Class A and B Asbestos removal.

Emergency and Exit Lighting

Emergency and Exit Lighting is tested every six months in accordance with Australian Standards 2293

Technicians will simulate a power failure to the lighting systems but the use a lighting circuit breaker or installed emergency light test switch. The discharge test will run for a minimum of 90 minutes.

On most occasions a licensed electrician will be required to the replace the failed Emergency and Exit Lighting.
Some newer brands have a plug and play style module which contains the battery backup and drivers. These can be replaced by any handyman as they are not exposed to live electrical components.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Dry chemical fire extinguishers are the most common type of fire extinguisher used in Australia. The dry chemical fire extinguisher is also known as ABE, BE or DCP fire extinguishers. The following information is crucial for people who are seeking more knowledge about fire extinguishers, how they work and how they can used safely.

There are 5 main fire extinguisher types in Australia – Water, Foam, Dry Powder, CO2 and Wet Chemical. Within the 5 main types of fire extinguisher, there are 2 versions of Dry Powder extinguishers, Dry Powder – standard and Dry Powder – High performance. Australia’s regulations require all business premises to fire safety equipment in place. It’s important to have the right types of fire extinguisher for your house or business premises. There are 6 classes of fire: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, ‘Electrical’, and Class F. The chart below is a quick reference showing which types of extinguisher should be used on each class.
  • Class A: Wood, Paper & Plastic.
  • Class B: Flammable & Combustible Liquids.
  • Class C: Flammable Gasses.
  • Class E: Energised Electrical Equipment.
  • Class F: Cooking Oils and Fats.