AS 1851-2012 compliance for NSW buildings
From 13 February 2026, AS 1851-2012 applies to the inspection and testing of essential fire safety measures in applicable NSW buildings. FPS helps owners put a structured servicing programme in place and keep the evidence to prove it.
The standard is now mandatory
Owners of new and existing Class 1b and Class 2 to 9 buildings in NSW must ensure essential fire safety measures are inspected and tested in accordance with AS 1851-2012, unless a performance solution applies. Local councils enforce the requirement.
Owners must also keep records of that servicing and make them available when asked.
Sources: NSW Building Commission: AS 1851-2012 requirements and responsibilities of building owners
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard | AS 1851-2012 |
| Mandatory from | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Building classes | Class 1b and Class 2 to 9, new and existing |
| Exception | Where a performance solution provides otherwise |
| Enforcement | Local council |
Compliance can't be shown by a service tag alone
AS 1851-2012 sets requirements for the routine servicing of fire protection systems and equipment: inspection, testing, preventive maintenance and survey. A compliant programme needs to show what is there, what was done, what was found and what happened next.
A structured programme identifies
- The systems and equipment present
- The routine service activities that apply
- The required frequencies
- Inspection and test results
- Non-conformances and defects
- Corrective work completed
- Decisions still with the owner
From baseline to records
Asset and baseline review
We compare your existing records with the systems actually in the building.
Routine servicing schedule
Activities are planned to the applicable requirements and the agreed scope.
Consistent field records
Technicians record activities, results, observed conditions and defects on site in Uptick.
Defect reporting
Issues are classified and explained so the responsible people know what was found and what to do.
Rectification and retesting
Approved work is completed, retested and closed with evidence.
Record management
Servicing information stays against the building and asset, available for future review and assessment.
The owner's responsibility remains
Engaging a fire protection contractor does not remove the owner's responsibility for the building's essential fire safety measures. The owner still needs to make sure servicing happens, records are kept and decisions on defects are made.
FPS provides the servicing capability, evidence and visibility to manage those responsibilities well.
Source: NSW Building Commission
Is your programme ready?
We can review your existing contract, asset information, servicing records and defect process and show you where the gaps are.