AS 1851 Reforms On Hold: What This Means for Fire Safety Compliance

This January, the NSW Government has announced a deferral of two major fire safety requirements, delaying their enforcement to allow further industry preparedness. This decision has sparked mixed reactions within the fire protection sector, with stakeholders balancing the need for compliance with the realities of implementation.

Key Deferrals Announced:

AS 1851 Compliance: A 12-month deferral to 13 February 2026 for compliance with AS 1851, which dictates the frequency of fire safety servicing and maintenance.
Fire Safety Certification: A 24-month deferral to 13 February 2027 for the requirement that a fire safety certificate be issued only after an assessment by an accredited practitioner (fire safety).

As a result, current fire safety regulations in NSW will remain unchanged for the next 12 months. This extension provides building owners and industry professionals additional time to align with the upcoming standards.

What Changes Are Affected?

In 2024, amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2022 introduced significant changes to fire safety regulations for new and existing buildings in New South Wales (NSW). These changes aim to enhance fire safety standards, ensuring better protection for occupants and more rigorous oversight of building safety measures. Here’s a recap of the changes that were supposed to be implemented this February 2025.

1. Mandatory Routine Servicing Requirements: As of 13 February 2025, building owners will be required to adhere to specified procedures for the routine maintenance of essential fire safety measures. This includes compliance with the Australian Standard 1851-2012 (AS 1851) for inspection, testing, and documentation.

2. Accreditation for Fire Safety Assessors: From 13 February 2025, or 18 months after an accreditation authority is approved, only accredited individuals will be authorised to assess fire safety measures for a fire safety certificate. This ensures that assessments are carried out by qualified professionals, further enhancing the reliability of fire safety certifications.
Many in the industry have already undertaken significant preparations to meet these requirements, and the postponement, while disappointing for some, allows for further collaboration and refinement.

What Building Owners Should Do Now

Whilst you have 12 months before AS 1851 compliance becomes mandatory, it is better to address these requirements sooner rather than later. Proactive steps taken now can prevent last-minute challenges and ensure a smooth transition. Building owners should take advantage of this deferral period by:

Preparing early will help avoid the rush and last-minute compliance challenges when fire safety experts are likely to be in high demand. Taking action now ensures that your fire safety systems are up to standard without the pressure of tight deadlines.
While the delay extends the timeline, it does not diminish the importance of maintaining rigorous fire safety measures. Ensuring compliance with best practices today will help streamline the transition when these regulations take full effect.