Updated February 2026
From 13 February 2026, AS 1851-2012 becomes the prescribed maintenance standard for essential fire safety measures under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021.
AS 1851 is not a new standard. However, from this date it is formally prescribed under the Regulation, meaning essential fire safety measures must be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with its requirements where the Regulation applies.
If you own or manage a Class 1b or Class 2–9 building in NSW, you must ensure essential fire safety measures are inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with AS 1851-2012. Failure to comply can expose building owners to penalties, compliance notices and serious liability if an incident occurs.
AS 1851-2012 is the Australian Standard that sets out the routine servicing requirements for fire protection systems and equipment.
It governs maintenance of:
It specifies inspection frequencies, testing methods, documentation requirements and record retention obligations. From 13 February 2026, compliance is no longer optional best practice — it is enforceable law in NSW.
The requirement applies to:
This includes:
Both new and existing buildings are captured under the regulation.
The requirement applies to buildings that are required to provide Annual Fire Safety Statements under the EP&A Regulation. Where essential fire safety measures are installed and an Annual Fire Safety Statement is required, maintenance must align with AS 1851-2012.
The building owner is legally responsible for ensuring compliance.
While servicing may be carried out by accredited contractors, legal responsibility for compliance remains with the building owner.
While licensed contractors may perform inspections and servicing, ultimate accountability remains with the owner.
Building owners must ensure:
For most commercial properties, this means:
All inspections must follow the procedures outlined in AS 1851-2012.
Under AS 1851-2012, proper documentation is mandatory.
Records must include:
These records form part of your building's fire safety compliance history.
Maintaining accurate digital compliance reports is now one of the most important aspects of defensible building management. If Council, the Building Commission NSW, Fire & Rescue NSW or insurers request evidence, you must be able to produce it.
Emergency lighting systems must also be maintained in accordance with AS 1851 and AS/NZS 2293.
Six-monthly functional tests and annual 90-minute duration tests are required. If your building relies on battery-backed exit lighting, ongoing emergency lighting compliance is part of your legal obligation.
Failure to comply may result in:
In the event of a fire, lack of compliant maintenance records can significantly increase legal risk.
If your current provider cannot demonstrate adherence to AS 1851-2012, you should reassess immediately.
This regulatory shift reflects a broader tightening of fire safety compliance across NSW.
The enforcement date is not a suggestion. It is a legal trigger.
For many building owners, this change simply formalises what should already have been happening. For others, it is a wake-up call.
Liberty Test & Tag provides structured, documented AS 1851-compliant fire equipment servicing across Sydney, Canberra and regional NSW.
Our inspections follow the standard, and our reporting provides clear, defensible documentation aligned with current NSW requirements.
If you're unsure whether your building meets the February 2026 enforcement requirements, now is the time to review your compliance position.
Call 0437 743 712