Question: Reading through the loads of information that will be required for the new Strata Hub reporting, are we required to provide details of an Annual Fire Safety Statement?
We have a small self-managed strata of 7 single-story villas under a single roof. Each villa is individually owned and used for private residential occupation. I am the treasurer/secretary of the strata and getting ready for the new reporting etc. under the Strata Hub.
Reading through the loads of information that will be required, I noted that we will be required to have an Annual Fire Safety Statement and provide the date of issue of the most recent one. Is this correct?
This is something that our strata have not obtained previously and sounds like an expensive exercise.
Answer: If the complex has fire equipment of most any type installed, it should be having an Annual Fire Safety Statement prepared.
Rob Broadhead, 2020 Fire Protection:
If the complex has Essential Fire Safety Measures (fire equipment of most any type) installed, it should be having an Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) prepared to meet the owners’ obligations under the law irrespective of whether council requests it.
Unfortunately, I don’t have sufficient knowledge of the Strata Portal to comment on whether the AFSS is a mandatory document if it doesn’t yet exist.
I highly recommend the owners commence this journey as it is a process ensuring the continuing performance of important fire systems designed to keep you safe when you least expect it.
Leanne Habib, Premium Strata:
The Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Information) Regulation 2021 (NSW) which amends the Strata Schemes Management Regulation 2016 (NSW), Clause 43 A(1)(j) states “if an annual fire safety statement has been issued under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for a building of the strata scheme — the date the most recent statement was issued”.
Therefore, the date must be supplied if there has been an AFSS issued. In your case, you do not have one but we strongly endorse Rob Broadhead’s recommendation that the scheme take steps to improve its fire safety especially before Council issues you with an Order to do so (as we have seen happen in the past).
Rob Broadhead 2020 Fire Protection E: rob.broadhead@2020fire.com.au P: 1300 340 210
Leanne Habib Premium Strata E: info@premiumstrata.com.au P: 02 9281 6440