The mandatory adoption of AS1851-2012 in NSW, effective February 13th next year, shifts the legal responsibility for fire safety squarely onto the building owner. With this change, the simple act of choosing a fire maintenance contractor has become a major legal decision.
The era of accepting the cheapest quote without vetting the technician’s competence is over. If your building is audited, you, the owner or strata manager, must prove that the maintenance was conducted by a “competent person”. Failure to do so exposes you to severe penalties.
At Promaster Protection, we are here to guide you. We’ve been preparing for this regulatory change by ensuring our team meets the highest competency standards.
Under the new law, it is the building owner’s duty to ensure that routine service and maintenance are performed by a person deemed competent. This shifts the burden of proof from the contractor to you.
The NSW government acknowledges there isn’t one single license that covers all AS1851 work, making your assessment of a contractor critical.
A genuinely competent fire safety provider must demonstrate:
- Specific Training: They must understand the requirements of AS1851-2012 and hold the appropriate units of competency for the specific work being performed (e.g., hydrant testing, sprinkler maintenance).
- Industry Accreditation: While not mandatory for all routine maintenance, highly respected accreditation schemes like the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) prove a commitment to industry-recognised standards and competence.
- Meticulous Documentation: They must provide clear, detailed, and audit-ready records to confirm that the AS1851 testing schedules (weekly, monthly, annual) were strictly followed.
A low-cost provider often achieves their price by cutting corners on competence, documentation, or testing frequency. Under the new law, this carries significant risk:
- Fines and Penalties: If an audit reveals that a critical system was not maintained according to the mandatory AS1851 schedule (due to technician incompetence or cost-cutting), the building owner is liable for the resulting fines.
- System Failure: An unqualified technician may miss subtle but critical defects—such as corrosion in a coastal environment or a faulty pump set—leading to catastrophic system failure during a fire event.
- Voided Liability: Your legal defence relies entirely on proving you engaged a competent professional. Incomplete documentation from an unaccredited provider leaves you exposed.
Before you sign a contract, protect your building’s liability by asking these questions:
- “Can you detail your technicians’ specific training and accreditation related to AS1851-2012?” (Look for FPAS accreditation and proof of ongoing training to the new standard).
- “What specific procedures are in place to ensure compliance with the documentation requirements of AS1851?” (Look for systems that guarantee easy-to-read, seven-year audit logs).
- “How do you ensure continuity of service and clear communication on defects?” (This addresses the need for professionalism and follow-through, a stated strength of Promaster Protection).
- “How do you ensure continuity of service and clear communication on defects?” (This addresses the need for professionalism and follow-through, a stated strength of Promaster Protection).
At Promaster Protection, our commitment to excellence, adherence to stringent safety standards, and a team of highly qualified professionals ensure top-tier solutions. Our technicians are fully accredited, licensed, and continuously trained to meet the highest standards of fire protection competency, including the complexities of AS1851.
Don’t gamble your compliance and liability on a low price. Choose the proven competence and professionalism of Promaster Protection.
Contact Promaster Protection today to partner with experts who ensure your building meets the new letter of the law.