School Leaders - are you Ready or at Risk - Fire Safety Reforms 2026

As of 13 February 2026, sweeping fire safety reforms will become enforceable across New South Wales, placing a renewed spotlight on the responsibilities of school leaders. These changes are not just regulatory, they’re a call to action for every principal, facility manager, business manager and executive in education to ensure their campuses are safe, compliant, and prepared.

What’s Changing?

The reforms stem from the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Amendment (Fire Safety) Regulation 2022, and they bring significant updates to how fire safety is managed in Class 1b to Class 9 buildings, including schools.

Key changes include:

• Mandatory monthly servicing of seven critical fire safety measures, aligning with Australian Standard 1851-2012
• Stricter record-keeping: Schools must maintain detailed inspection logs for at least seven years, readily available for audit
• Zero tolerance for non-compliance: Penalties of up to $66,000 per incident may apply

Why Schools Are Under the Microscope

Schools are unique environments. They house vulnerable populations, operate across diverse facilities (labs, kitchens, gyms), and often span multiple buildings. This complexity makes compliance both critical and challenging.

Fire safety in schools goes far beyond alarms and extinguishers. It involves:

• Site-specific evacuation diagrams
• Routine inspection and servicing of all fire systems
• Accurate documentation and maintenance logs
• Integration with the Building Code of Australia and state-specific education policies

The Risks of Falling Behind

For school leaders, the risks of non-compliance are multifaceted:

• Legal liability: As a “responsible person,” you may be held accountable for lapses in safety planning or documentation.
• Operational disruption: A failed audit or emergency incident could lead to school closures or reputational damage.
• Financial penalties: Fines for non-compliance are steep and avoidable with proactive planning.

Your Responsibilities as a Leader

1. Know your building class: Most schools fall under Class 9, but mixed-use facilities may span multiple classifications
2. Develop and maintain an Emergency Plan: This must be both site and role specific, tied to your building plans, and include training for staff, students, and contractors
3. Ensure regular training: Tools like PlanSafe availalbe which is site and role-specific training that’s trackable and easy to deploy
4. Engage qualified fire safety practitioners: Don’t wait until 2026—schedule inspections and updates now to avoid the last-minute rush
5. Keep your records audit-ready: From system plans to test reports, your documentation must be complete, current, and accessible

Leading with Confidence

The upcoming reforms are not just about compliance, they’re about leadership. They’re about creating a culture of safety, accountability, and preparedness. With the right systems, partners, and mindset, school leaders can turn this challenge into an opportunity to protect what matters most: their people.

Need help getting your school ready? Reach out to fire safety specialists at Locatrix we exist to protect lives through preparedness.

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