Northern Territory

Regulation 11 (6) of the Fire and Emergency Regulations 1996 specifies that “Prescribed Buildings” as listed under Schedule 2 states the following:

The owner of a prescribed building must ensure:

• fire alarms and other warning apparatus, exit lights, emergency lighting and fire-fighting equipment are maintained in accordance with relevant standards; and
• there is no obstruction of designated fire exits or the path of travel to those exits; and
• flammable or combustible material is not stored in, or in the vicinity of, stairways or exits; and
• designated fire exits are:

fitted with locking devices that comply with the relevant Australian Standard and any legislative requirements; and

not fitted with any non-compliant locking devices; and

if any law provides for a maximum permissible number of persons that may be in the building at any time – the number of persons in the building does not exceed the maximum.

The Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services have issued an Advisory Note whereby they have detailed a list of Building Fire Safety Measures in Table 1, Column 1 of that document as follows:

• Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
• Fire Pumpsets
• Fire Hydrant Systems
• Water Storage Tanks for Fire Protection
• Systems Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
• Special Hazard Systems
• Delivery Layflat Fire Hose
• Fire Hose Reels
• Portable and Wheeled Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Blankets
• Passive Fire and Smoke Systems
• Fire and Smoke Control Features of
• Mechanical Services Emergency Planning in Facilities
• Emergency Lighting
• Illuminated Exit Signs
• Photo luminescent Exit Signs
• Exits and Paths of Travel to Exits
• Solid Core Doors
• Fire Control Centres and Rooms
• Lifts providing a stretcher facility
• Fire service controls in lifts (buildings over 12m in effective height
• Emergency and standby power systems
• Vehicular access for fire appliances
• Items prescribed in an Alternative Solution

*Note – The Building Fire Safety Measures may incorporate multiple elements.

The Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services have issued an Advisory Note whereby they have detailed a list of the relevant maintenance standards for each fire safety measure in Table 1, Column 2 of that document.

Section 27A of the Fire and Emergency Act makes provision for prescribed buildings to be inspected regularly by the Director of the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service or an authorised person to ensure that:

• the requirements of any law in force in the Territory; and
• the standards imposed by any Australian Standard as in force from time to time in relation to fire safety are met and continue to be met.

Non-compliance may incur a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units and place occupants and other users of the building in risk of their life and safety. 

We assist building owners and agents in achieving compliance with the complex and ever-changing safety measures legislation in the Northern Territory by ensuring that each installed building fire safety measure is identified, and an appropriately qualified maintenance practitioner is engaged to carry out the required ongoing routine servicing under AS1851-2012.

This will ensure the maintenance of all Building Fire Safety Measures are maintained by appropriately qualified personal ensure the risk, health and safety is minimised ensuring all stakeholders are protected.

For prescribed buildings in the Northern Territory, a fire safety inspection should confirm that the building’s fire safety measures are installed, accessible, operational and being maintained to the required standards. The Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) conducts regular inspections of prescribed buildings under the Fire and Emergency Act and Regulations, but owners and occupiers should also actively monitor their own compliance between inspections.

A practical inspection should review items such as fire extinguishers, hose reels, hydrants, fire detection and alarm systems, sprinkler systems, emergency lighting and exit signs, fire and smoke doors, exits and paths of travel, evacuation diagrams, emergency procedures and maintenance records. Servicing and maintenance should be checked against the applicable requirements, including AS 1851-2012 where relevant.

NTFRS provides a Building Fire Safety Inspection Checklist to help owners and occupiers understand what may be reviewed. However, the checklist is a guide rather than a complete compliance assessment. Where there are complex systems, unclear records or potential defects, engaging an appropriately qualified fire safety professional can help identify gaps and establish the actions required to maintain compliance.

EBC Group can assist with fire safety inspections, compliance reviews and ongoing maintenance oversight, helping building owners and managers identify issues early and keep their compliance requirements organised and up to date.

Fire safety approval in the Northern Territory generally forms part of the wider building approval and certification process rather than being a single standalone approval for every property. For building work that requires approval, the owner or applicant first engages an NT-registered building certifier and prepares the required plans and supporting documentation. Depending on the project, this may include fire system plans and reports or approvals from relevant authorities, including NT Fire and Rescue Service.

The building certifier assesses the proposed work against the Building Act, Building Regulations and National Construction Code before issuing a building permit. Where a project includes a performance solution or more complex fire safety design, NTFRS may also be involved through a fire engineering design review or other assessment of the proposed fire safety arrangements.

During construction, the inspections and certification requirements listed on the building permit must be completed. Once the work is finished, the required documentation, inspections and approvals need to be provided to the building certifier before the appropriate occupancy certification can be issued.

Because the exact pathway depends on the building, proposed works and fire safety systems involved, it’s important to establish the approval requirements early rather than waiting until construction is complete. EBC Group can help review your current documentation, identify likely compliance requirements and coordinate the steps needed to support a smoother fire safety approval process.