The Facilities Manager’s Guide to Compliance Recovery

You Missed the Deadline. Now What?

Don’t panic, but do move fast. In NSW, the “Compliance Gap” is the period between a legislative change and your building catching up. If an incident happens in this gap, the liability is 100% on the owner.

Step 1: The “Service Provider” Audit

Many fire companies are “taggers,” not “technicians.” To find out which one you have, ask them these three “Trap Questions”:

1. “Can you show me the ‘Section 1.8 Baseline Data’ for our 5-yearly hydrant test?” (If they say “What’s that?”, fire them).

2. “Are your technicians accredited under the FPAS scheme for ‘Fire Safety Assessment’ or just ‘Inspect & Test’?” (There is a big difference).

3. “Does your report show quantitative results (e.g., flow rates in L/s) or just ticks?”

Step 2: The 48-Hour Recovery Audit

If you suspect your records are deficient, you need a “Clean Slate” audit. This isn’t a standard service; it’s a forensic investigation.

• Site Reconnaissance: We physically locate every measure on your Fire Safety Schedule. (You’d be surprised how many “missing” fire doors we find painted over).

• Gap Analysis: We compare your site’s physical reality to its documented “Baseline.”

• Diagnostic Reporting: You get a “High/Medium/Low” risk score.

  • High: Immediate life threat (e.g., dead pump).

  • Medium: Compliance breach (e.g., missing logbook).

  • Low: Maintenance item (e.g., chipped paint).

The “Hidden Door” Story

True Story: We recently audited a site in Wollongong where the previous company had been ticking off “Fire Door 4” for 10 years. When we went to test it, we found it had been bricked over during a renovation in 2018. The company had been “inspecting” a wall for 6 years. Don’t let this be you.

References

• Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) – FPAS Accreditation Scheme.

Next Step: Time is of the essence. Use the AFSS Compliance Navigator and Transmit your diagnostic report directly to the CPFP Moorebank team for an immediate compliance rescue plan.