Here are some answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions.

• How do I say ’20/20 Fire Protection’?  Twenty- Twenty Fire Protection! 
• Will we have to come up with a new name in the year 2020? Our choice of 20/20 Fire Protection for our name is about 20/20 vision.   20/20 Fire applies clear, transparent vision, takes a logical approach, explains why the works are required and ensures your property is safe.
• Who can sign my annual fire safety statement? It is the owners responsibility to provide the statement; however, the statement can be signed by anyone designated to act as an agent of the owner. 
• What is the risk to the owner if the annual fire safety statement is wrong?  Even if the statement is signed by your agent, the responsibility for accuracy remains with the owner.  Make sure that the person signing the statement knows what they are doing and has a track record or qualification to prove it. 
• How much does an annual fire safety statement cost?  Every building will be different, so a fixed price is impossible without an inspection. You can be sure that every piece of fire equipment and every part of the building will need to be inspected and tested, so if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is- opening the building owner and occupants to unnecessary risk.
•  Are Smoke alarms required in all residential premises? Yes, the Smoke Alarms Act requires all new, renovated and leased premises to have a working smoke alarm. If your AFSS references BCA Spec E2.2a, the smoke alarm must also be 240 volt with battery back-up.
• Can I fit a lock to my strata unit fire door?  Yes, but not without permission. If it’s a strata property, the strata plan, not the unit own the door and AS1905.1 (the fire door code) only allows certain modifications to the door- contact your strata manager & they will discuss it with a fire specialist
• Why is my smoke detector going into alarm?  There are many reasons; however, the most common are false alarms (due to smoke, dirt, dust or steam ingress) or the detector getting dirty.  Smoke detectors get dirty due to a build up of dirt, dust or insects and they become more sensitive.  Smoke detectors in any environment where dust is possible should be cleaned every two years to avoid false alarm.  Regular false alarms can incur large fines from the NSW Fire Brigade.
• How often do my fire extinguishers have to be checked? Australian Standard AS1851-2012, requires all extinguishers to be checked and tagged every six months.  Depending on the type of extinguisher, they also need an overhaul every one to five years.
• Do I need to issue an ‘Annual Fire Safety Statement’ to council?  Yes- every building other than class 1 (house) is required to provide an annual statement to council.  This is required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000
• Does the legislation say smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years?   The legislation does not directly say that a smoke alarm MUST be replaced every 10 years; however, it’s hard to argue against the indirect references; such as:1. Smoke Alarm Legislation says the smoke alarm must comply with AS3786 and must have a life of at least 10 years.
  2. AS3786 says : The smoke alarm shall have a recommended service life of at least 10 years under normal conditions of use.
  3. Manufacturers of smoke alarms set their recommended device service life – which is generally 10 years.
  4. Fire & Rescue NSW recommends they are replaced every 10 years: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9218Hence – once you are >10 years & past the manufacturer’s recommended service life; without laboratory-level testing of the smoke alarm’s sensitivity & performance, it would not be possible to state that the smoke alarm is still capable of compliance with AS3786 & therefore by default becomes non-compliant with the smoke alarm legislation.

  Further to the above – because Fire & Rescue NSW is a government authority, it is hard to argue against their advice to replace smoke alarms when they reach 10 years.