{"id":"fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996","name":"FIRE AND EMERGENCY REGULATIONS 1996","slug":"fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176832,"registerId":"nt-fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"FIRE AND EMERGENCY REGULATIONS 1996","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nFIRE AND EMERGENCY REGULATIONS 1996\nAs in force at 16 July 2024\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\nPart 2 General requirements\n3 Firebreaks........................................................................................ 2\n4 Accumulation of flammable or combustible material........................ 2\n5 Stacked containers .......................................................................... 3\n6 Stacked timber and wood ................................................................ 3\n7 Stacked flammable or combustible material .................................... 3\n7A Stacked tyres ................................................................................... 4\n8 Flues ................................................................................................ 5\n9 Cutting, heating and welding equipment .......................................... 5\n10 Oily waste ........................................................................................ 6\n11 Emergency planning for certain buildings ........................................ 6\n11A Evacuation of building ..................................................................... 8\n12 Accommodation parks ..................................................................... 8\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\n13 Definitions ........................................................................................ 9\n13A Requirement to install smoke alarms............................................. 11\n13B Installation ..................................................................................... 12\n13C Maintenance in residential premises and moveable dwellings\nused by owner ............................................................................... 12\n13D Maintenance in residential premises and moveable dwellings\nused by tenant or hirer ................................................................... 13\n13E Testing ........................................................................................... 15\n13F Agent may act for owner ................................................................ 15\n13G No interference with smoke alarms ............................................... 15\n13H Part applies to all smoke alarms .................................................... 16\nPart 3 Infringement notice offences\n14 Definitions ...................................................................................... 16\n15 Infringement notice offence and prescribed amount payable ........ 16\n16 When infringement notice may be given ........................................ 17\n17 Contents of infringement notice ..................................................... 17\n18 Payment by cheque ....................................................................... 18\n\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 ii\n18A Withdrawal of infringement notice.................................................. 18\n18B Application of Part ......................................................................... 18\nPart 4 Miscellaneous matters\n19 Commissioned ranks ..................................................................... 19\n20 Fees and charges .......................................................................... 19\nSchedule 2 Prescribed buildings\nSchedule 3 Infringement notice offences and\nprescribed amounts\nSchedule 4 Fees and charges\nENDNOTES\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 16 July 2024\n____________________\nFIRE AND EMERGENCY REGULATIONS 1996\nRegulations under the Fire and Emergency Act 1996\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Fire and Emergency\nRegulations 1996.\n2 Definitions\nIn these Regulations:\nAS, followed by a designation, means the Australian Standard\nhaving that designation.\nAustralian Standard means a standard published by Standards\nAustralia Limited ABN 85 087 326 690, as in force from time to\ntime.\nBuilding Code means the Building Code of Australia published by\nthe Australian Building Codes Board, as in force from time to time.\ncaravan means a habitable structure designed to be towed or\ncarried by a motor vehicle (whether or not the structure has\nwheels), and includes an annex attached to the structure.\nmanufactured home means a structure that:\n(a) has the character of a dwelling house; and\n(b) is designed to be able to be moved from one place to another;\nand includes an annex attached to the structure.\nmoveable dwelling means:\n(a) a manufactured home; or\n(b) a caravan; or\n\nPart 2 General requirements\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 2\n(c) a permanently sited tent that:\n(i) has a permanent floor structure; and\n(ii) is used or offered for use for residential purposes.\nPart 2 General requirements\n3 Firebreaks\n(1) The occupier or, if there is no occupier, the owner of land in an\nemergency response area must ensure a firebreak that complies\nwith this regulation is created and maintained along the entire\nboundary of the land.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) The firebreak must:\n(a) be at least 4 m wide; and\n(b) consist of one or more of the following:\n(i) bare earth;\n(ii) grass not exceeding 50 mm high;\n(iii) lawn or cultivated garden.\n(3) However, the firebreak may contain trees if they do not:\n(a) restrict fire-fighting vehicles being driven along the firebreak;\nor\n(b) otherwise pose a direct or indirect danger by fire or other\nemergency to life or property.\n4 Accumulation of flammable or combustible material\nSubject to regulation 12, the occupier or, if there is no occupier, the\nowner of land must ensure flammable or combustible material does\nnot accumulate on the land in a way that constitutes a danger by\nfire.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n\nPart 2 General requirements\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 3\n5 Stacked containers\nThe occupier of land on which empty cases, boxes, cartons or other\ncontainers of a flammable or combustible nature are stacked in the\nopen air must ensure each stack:\n(a) is not more than 2 m high; and\n(b) is built on a base not more than 2 m wide; and\n(c) is accessible on all sides by means of a passageway at least\n1 m wide; and\n(d) is not less than 4 m from any structure on the land or the\nboundary of the land.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n6 Stacked timber and wood\nThe occupier of land on which sawn timber or wood is stacked in\nthe open air must ensure:\n(a) each stack is not more than 3 m high; and\n(b) each stack is built on a base not more than 2.5 m wide; and\n(c) each stack is accessible on all sides by means of a\npassageway at least 1.5 m wide; and\n(d) the ground is so cleared that there is no flammable or\ncombustible matter within 4 m of each stack; and\n(e) each stack is not less than 4 m from any structure on the land\nor the boundary of the land.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n7 Stacked flammable or combustible material\nThe occupier of land on which bulk flammable or combustible\nmaterial is stored, whether loose or packed in cases, bags, bales,\ncartons or boxes, must ensure:\n(a) the flammable or combustible material is not stored in a way\nthat constitutes a danger by fire; and\n\nPart 2 General requirements\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 4\n(b) if the flammable or combustible material is stored in an\nenclosed building:\n(i) it is stored in bays the dimensions of which do not\nexceed 3 m in length or width; and\n(ii) the top of the stack of material in each bay is at least\n75 cm below the ceiling of the building; and\n(iii) there is a clear passageway at least 1.5 m wide between\neach bay; and\n(c) the flammable or combustible material is stored not less than\n4m from the boundary of the land.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n7A Stacked tyres\n(1) The occupier of land on which tyres (whether new or used) are\nstacked must ensure that:\n(a) the height of any stack does not exceed 3 m; and\n(b) the base layer of tyres in any stack does not exceed 45 m in\nlength and 5 m in width; and\n(c) the slope of any side of any stack is not steeper than 1:1.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) The occupier must ensure that stacks are separated from each\nother, and from the boundary of the land:\n(a) by not less than 10 m at any point; or\n(b) by walls that have a fire rating of not less than 4 hours.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(3) The occupier must ensure that, if stacks are separated by walls:\n(a) the walls exceed the height of the stacks by not less than\n1.5 m and protrude not less than 1.5 m past the stack at either\nend; and\n(b) the stacks are not grouped more than 2 stacks in either\ndirection; and\n(c) the aggregate width of the group does not exceed 10 m; and\n\nPart 2 General requirements\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 5\n(d) the aggregate length of the group does not exceed 90 m; and\n(e) a group of stacks is separated from any other flammable or\ncombustible material (including any other group of stacks, any\nindividual stacks and grass or weeds) by not less than 10 m at\nany point.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n8 Flues\nThe occupier of a building in which a fume or exhaust flue has been\nconstructed must ensure the flue is:\n(a) fitted with inspection ports; and\n(b) inspected at least twice annually; and\n(c) cleaned at least annually.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n9 Cutting, heating and welding equipment\n(1) The occupier of land on which cutting, heating or welding\nequipment, as defined in AS 1674 (Safety in welding and allied\nprocesses), is used as part of a business conducted on the land\nmust ensure, while the equipment is being used:\n(a) a fire extinguisher of a type that is appropriate in accordance\nwith AS 2444 (Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets –\nSelection and location), having regard to the equipment being\nused, is readily accessible to the person using the equipment;\nand\n(b) where there is a possibility of danger by fire to life or property,\na protective screen surrounds the area in which the equipment\nis being used.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) A person using cutting, heating or welding equipment, as defined in\nAS 1674 (Safety in welding and allied processes), whether in the\nopen air or in an enclosed space, must ensure all welding dross or\nresidue that may be a source of ignition for flammable or\ncombustible material or that may cause a fire is contained within the\nimmediate vicinity of the equipment and properly extinguished.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n\nPart 2 General requirements\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 6\n10 Oily waste\nThe occupier of land on which a factory, workshop, service station,\nengine-room, power station or shipyard is situated must ensure:\n(a) adequate steel containers are provided for all polishing cloths,\noil-soaked rags and oily waste; and\n(b) the containers are fitted with secure tightly fitting lids.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n11 Emergency planning for certain buildings\n(1AA) The classes of buildings (prescribed buildings) specified in\nSchedule 2 are prescribed for section 27A(1) of the Act.\n(1) The owner of a prescribed building must ensure all persons who\nwork in the building are given instruction in accordance with\nsubregulation (2) on measures for the protection of persons in the\nbuilding from fire and fire related emergencies:\n(a) not later than 30 days after commencing work in the building;\nand\n(b) at intervals of not more than 12 months while they continue to\nwork in the building.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(2) The instruction must include information relating to the following:\n(a) the means of access to and egress from the building;\n(b) the location of fire-fighting equipment available in the building\nand the method of use of the equipment;\n(c) the location of warning apparatus in the building and the\nmethod of use of the apparatus;\n(d) for persons nominated as fire wardens for areas of the\nbuilding:\n(i) conducting other persons to the means of egress\nmentioned in paragraph (a) or a place of safety; and\n(ii) the methods of accounting for persons and reporting to\nthe person for the time being in charge of the building.\n\nPart 2 General requirements\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 7\n(3) The owner of a prescribed building must keep a register containing\ndetails of the following:\n(a) the information to be given to persons working in the building;\n(b) the name of the person responsible for giving the instruction\nrequired by this regulation and the date on which such\ninstruction was given;\n(c) the names of the persons or the groups of persons to whom\ninstruction was given and a description of the kind of\ninstruction given.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n(4) The owner must produce the register for inspection on demand by a\nmember.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(5) The owner of a prescribed building must ensure the requirements of\nAS 3745 (Planning for emergencies in facilities) are applied to\nsafety systems that are installed in the building.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n(6) The owner of a prescribed building must ensure:\n(a) fire alarms and other warning apparatus, exit lights,\nemergency lighting and fire-fighting equipment are maintained\nin accordance with relevant standards; and\n(b) there is no obstruction of designated fire exits or the path of\ntravel to those exits; and\n(c) flammable or combustible material is not stored in, or in the\nvicinity of, stairways or exits; and\n(d) designated fire exits are:\n(i) fitted with locking devices that comply with the relevant\nAustralian Standard and any legislative requirements;\nand\n(ii) not fitted with any non-compliant locking devices; and\n(e) if any law provides for a maximum permissible number of\npersons that may be in the building at any time – the number\nof persons in the building does not exceed the maximum.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n\nPart 2 General requirements\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 8\n11A Evacuation of building\nA person must evacuate a building if:\n(a) a fire alarm or other warning apparatus in the building has\nbeen activated; and\n(b) the person is directed to evacuate by the person who is, for\nthe time being, in charge of the building or a person\nnominated as a fire warden for the building.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\n12 Accommodation parks\n(1) An accommodation park owner commits an offence if the owner\nfails to do any of the following in relation to the accommodation\npark:\n(a) ensure all moveable dwellings in the park are separated from\neach other, buildings, internal roadways and the boundary of\nthe park by at least 3 m at every point;\n(b) ensure access into and within the park is sufficient to enable\nfire-fighting vehicles to enter and access all areas of the park;\n(c) comply with AS 2441 (Installation of fire hose reels) in relation\nto the installation of fire hose reels in the park;\n(d) ensure flammable or combustible material does not\naccumulate in the park in a way that constitutes a danger by\nfire;\n(e) prepare an emergency management plan for the park showing\nthe number of each site and the location of fire-fighting\nequipment and evacuation points in the park;\n(f) ensure all staff employed at the park are trained in the\nprocedures contained in the plan;\n(g) ensure a copy of the plan is:\n(i) given to each person who occupies a site in the park;\nand\n\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 9\n(ii) displayed in at least one prominent location within the\npark.\nMaximum penalty: 100 penalty units.\nNote for subregulation (1)\nRequirements relating to the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms are\ncontained in Part 2A.\n(2) In this regulation:\naccommodation park means an area of land used or intended to\nbe used (whether seasonally or not) as a complex of sites or\nmoveable dwellings or both, for which rights of occupancy are\nconferred under site agreements (whether with or without common\nareas that may include bathroom, toilet and laundry facilities).\naccommodation park owner, for an accommodation park, means\nany person who is (either wholly or partly) the owner of the\nbusiness that operates the park.\nsite agreement means an agreement under which an\naccommodation park owner grants another person, for valuable\nconsideration, a right to:\n(a) occupy a site in the owner's accommodation park, and place a\ncaravan on the site, for residential purposes; or\n(b) occupy a site in the owner's accommodation park, and a\nmoveable dwelling made available on the site by the\naccommodation park owner, for residential purposes.\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\n13 Definitions\nIn this Part:\nclass 1 building means a building that, under the Building Code, is\nclassified as a class 1 building.\nclass 2 building means a building that, under the Building Code, is\nclassified as a class 2 building.\nclass 3 building means a building that, under the Building Code, is\nclassified as a class 3 building.\nclass 4 part of a building means a part of a building that, under\nthe Building Code, is classified as a class 4 building.\n\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 10\nhire agreement means an agreement under which the owner of a\nmoveable dwelling grants to another person (whether or not for\nvaluable consideration):\n(a) a right which may be (but need not be) an exclusive right to\noccupy the dwelling for residential purposes; or\n(b) a right to otherwise use the dwelling.\nhirer, for a moveable dwelling, means:\n(a) any person who has a right to occupy or use the dwelling\nunder a hire agreement; or\n(b) if the right to occupy or use the dwelling has been transferred\nin any way to another person – the other person.\nExample\nA right to occupy or use a moveable dwelling may be transferred by a hirer\nentering into a sub-hire agreement or an assignment of a hire agreement.\ninformation statement means the information given to the tenant\nor hirer under regulation 13D(1)(e).\nresidential premises means:\n(a) a class 1 building; or\n(b) a sole occupancy unit in a class 2 building; or\n(c) a class 3 building; or\n(d) a class 4 part of a building.\ntenancy agreement means an agreement under which the owner\nof residential premises grants to another person (whether or not for\nvaluable consideration) a right which may be (but need not be) an\nexclusive right to occupy the premises for residential purposes.\ntenant, for residential premises, means:\n(a) any person who has a right to occupy the premises under a\ntenancy agreement; or\n(b) if the right to occupy the premises has been transferred in any\nway to another person – the other person.\nExample\nA right to occupy residential premises may be transferred by a tenant entering\ninto a sub-tenancy agreement or an assignment of a tenancy agreement.\n\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 11\nwired, in relation to a smoke alarm, means the smoke alarm:\n(a) is hard wired to mains electricity; and\n(b) has an internal stand-by battery designed to be replaced by\nthe user.\n13A Requirement to install smoke alarms\n(1) The owner of residential premises or a moveable dwelling must\nensure approved smoke alarms are installed in the premises or\ndwelling in accordance with the requirements of regulation 13B.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) However, if on the commencement of this regulation one or more\nionisation smoke alarms have been installed in the residential\npremises or moveable dwelling in accordance with the\nrequirements of regulation 13B, subregulation (1) does not apply in\nrelation to the premises or dwelling until the earlier of the following:\n(a) if an ionisation smoke alarm installed in the premises or\ndwelling ceases to function – the day of the cessation;\n(b) if the owner enters into a contract to sell the premises or\ndwelling – the day before the date of settlement of the\ncontract;\n(c) if the owner agrees to enter into a tenancy agreement, or\nrenew or extend a tenancy agreement, in relation to the\npremises – the day before the tenancy agreement or renewal\nor extension takes effect;\n(d) if the owner agrees to enter into a hire agreement, or renew or\nextend a hire agreement, in relation to the dwelling – the day\nbefore the hire agreement or renewal or extension takes\neffect.\n(3) In this regulation:\napproved smoke alarm means a photo-electric type smoke alarm\nthat:\n(a) complies with AS 3786 (Smoke alarms); and\n(b) is wired or is a sealed 10 year lithium battery unit.\nionisation smoke alarm means an ionisation type smoke alarm\nthat complies with AS 3786 (Smoke alarms).\n\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 12\n13B Installation\n(1) For residential premises, smoke alarms must be installed in\naccordance with the following:\n(a) for a class 1a building – specification 3.7.2.3 of the Building\nCode;\n(b) for a class 1b building – specification 3.7.2.4 of the Building\nCode;\n(c) for a sole-occupancy unit in a class 2 building or a class 4 part\nof a building – specification E 2.2a, clause 3(c)(i) of the\nBuilding Code;\n(d) for a class 3 building – specification E 2.2a of the Building\nCode.\n(2) For a manufactured home to which subregulation (1) does not apply\nand for a tent, smoke alarms must be installed on or near the\nceiling:\n(a) in every corridor or hallway associated with a bedroom; or\n(b) if there is no corridor or hallway associated with a bedroom –\nbetween the part of the dwelling containing the bedroom and\nthe remainder of the dwelling.\n(3) For a caravan, one smoke alarm must be installed on the ceiling of\nthe caravan.\n(4) If it is not practicable for a smoke alarm to be installed at the\nlocation required under this regulation, the smoke alarm may be\ninstalled at another location that will provide a warning to occupants\nof the residential premises or moveable dwelling.\nExample for subregulation (4)\nA smoke alarm that is regularly activated by steam from a bathroom or smoke or\nfumes from a kitchen may be moved to another appropriate location.\n13C Maintenance in residential premises and moveable dwellings\nused by owner\n(1) This regulation applies to:\n(a) residential premises that are occupied for residential purposes\nby the owner of the premises; and\n(b) a moveable dwelling that is occupied for residential purposes,\nor used for sleeping, by the owner of the dwelling.\n\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 13\n(2) The owner of the residential premises or moveable dwelling must\ndo the following:\n(a) test each smoke alarm in the premises or dwelling, in\naccordance with regulation 13E, at intervals of not more than\n12 months;\n(b) immediately replace a smoke alarm that does not function\nwhen tested;\n(c) immediately replace a stand-by battery in a wired smoke\nalarm in the premises or dwelling, in accordance with the\nmanufacturer's instructions, if:\n(i) the battery is spent; or\n(ii) the owner is aware the battery is almost spent;\n(d) clean each smoke alarm in the premises or dwelling in\naccordance with the manufacturer's instructions at intervals of\nnot more than 12 months.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\nNote for paragraph (c)\nA smoke alarm may emit a warning signal (for example, a beeping sound) when\nits battery is almost spent.\nNote for paragraph (d)\nThe manufacturer's instructions may require that the smoke alarm be cleaned\nwith a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and other materials that may hinder its\nperformance.\n13D Maintenance in residential premises and moveable dwellings\nused by tenant or hirer\n(1) Within 30 days before the start of a tenancy agreement in relation\nto residential premises, or a hire agreement in relation to a\nmoveable dwelling, the owner of the premises or dwelling must do\nthe following:\n(a) test each smoke alarm in the premises or dwelling in\naccordance with regulation 13E;\n(b) replace a smoke alarm that does not function when tested;\n\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 14\n(c) replace a stand-by battery in a wired smoke alarm in the\npremises or dwelling, in accordance with the manufacturer's\ninstructions, if:\n(i) the battery is spent; or\n(ii) the owner is aware the battery is almost spent;\n(d) clean each smoke alarm in the premises or dwelling in\naccordance with the manufacturer's instructions;\n(e) give the tenant or hirer written information about testing and\nmaintaining the smoke alarms.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\nNote for paragraph (c)\nA smoke alarm may emit a warning signal (for example, a beeping sound) when\nits battery is almost spent.\nNote for paragraph (d)\nThe manufacturer's instructions may require that the smoke alarm be cleaned\nwith a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and other materials that may hinder its\nperformance.\n(2) During the term of a tenancy agreement or hire agreement, the\ntenant of the residential premises or hirer of the moveable dwelling\nmust do the following:\n(a) test each smoke alarm in the premises or dwelling, in\naccordance with regulation 13E, at intervals of not more than\n12 months;\n(b) if a smoke alarm does not function when tested – advise the\nowner of the premises or dwelling as soon as practicable;\n(c) replace each stand-by battery in a wired smoke alarm in the\npremises or dwelling, in accordance with the information\nstatement, if:\n(i) the battery is spent; or\n(ii) the tenant or hirer is aware the battery is almost spent;\n\nPart 2A Requirements relating to smoke alarms\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 15\n(d) clean each smoke alarm in the premises or dwelling, in\naccordance with the information statement, at intervals of not\nmore than 12 months.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\nNote for paragraph (c)\nA smoke alarm may emit a warning signal (for example, a beeping sound) when\nits battery is almost spent.\nNote for paragraph (d)\nThe manufacturer's instructions may require that the smoke alarm be cleaned\nwith a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and other materials that may hinder its\nperformance.\n(3) As soon as practicable after receiving advice under\nsubregulation (2)(b) about a smoke alarm, the owner of the\nresidential premises or moveable dwelling must:\n(a) test the smoke alarm; and\n(b) replace the smoke alarm if it does not function when tested.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n13E Testing\nA smoke alarm must be tested in the following way:\n(a) for an alarm that can be tested by pressing a button or other\ndevice to indicate whether the alarm is capable of detecting\nsmoke – by pressing the button or other device;\n(b) otherwise – by testing the alarm in the way stated in the\nmanufacturer's instructions.\n13F Agent may act for owner\n(1) A requirement imposed on an owner to comply with this Part in\nrelation to a smoke alarm at residential premises or a moveable\ndwelling may be complied with for the owner by the owner's agent.\n(2) However, if the residential premises or moveable dwelling is subject\nto a tenancy agreement or hire agreement, the tenant or hirer\ncannot be the owner's agent for complying with this Part.\n13G No interference with smoke alarms\n(1) This regulation applies to a smoke alarm installed in residential\npremises or a moveable dwelling.\n\nPart 3 Infringement notice offences\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 16\n(2) A person must not:\n(a) subject to regulation 13H(2), remove the smoke alarm; or\n(b) remove a battery from the smoke alarm; or\n(c) do anything that would reduce the effectiveness of the warning\nprovided by the smoke alarm.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(3) However, this regulation does not prevent a person from:\n(a) removing the smoke alarm to comply with regulation 13A; or\n(b) removing a battery from the smoke alarm to comply with\nregulation 13C or 13D.\n13H Part applies to all smoke alarms\n(1) To avoid doubt, this Part (other than regulations 13A and 13B)\napplies in relation to a smoke alarm installed in residential premises\nor a moveable dwelling even though the smoke alarm is not\nrequired to be installed under regulation 13A.\n(2) However, this Part does not prevent the owner of residential\npremises or a moveable dwelling from removing a smoke alarm that\nis not required to be installed under regulation 13A.\nPart 3 Infringement notice offences\n14 Definitions\nIn this Part:\ninfringement notice, see regulation 16.\ninfringement notice offence, see regulation 15(1).\nprescribed amount, see regulation 15(2).\n15 Infringement notice offence and prescribed amount payable\n(1) An infringement notice offence is an offence against a provision\nspecified in Schedule 3.\n(2) The prescribed amount for an infringement notice offence is the\namount equal to the monetary value of the number of penalty units\nspecified opposite the offence in Schedule 3.\n\nPart 3 Infringement notice offences\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 17\n16 When infringement notice may be given\nIf a police officer or authorised person reasonably believes a person\nhas committed an infringement notice offence, the officer or person\nmay give a notice (an infringement notice) to the person.\n17 Contents of infringement notice\n(1) The infringement notice must specify the following:\n(a) the name and address of the person, if known;\n(b) the date the infringement notice is given to the person;\n(c) the date, time and place of the infringement notice offence;\n(d) a description of the offence;\n(e) the prescribed amount payable for the offence;\n(f) the enforcement agency, as defined in the Fines and Penalties\n(Recovery) Act 2001, to whom the prescribed amount is\npayable.\n(2) The infringement notice must include a statement to the effect of\nthe following:\n(a) the person may expiate the infringement notice offence and\navoid any further action in relation to the offence by paying the\nprescribed amount to the specified enforcement agency within\n28 days after the notice is given;\n(b) the person may elect under section 21 of the Fines and\nPenalties (Recovery) Act 2001 to have the matter dealt with by\na court instead of under that Act by completing a statement of\nelection and giving it to the specified enforcement agency;\n(c) if the person does nothing in response to the notice,\nenforcement action may be taken under the Fines and\nPenalties (Recovery) Act 2001, including (but not limited to)\naction for the following:\n(i) suspending the person's licence to drive;\n(ii) seizing personal property of the person;\n(iii) deducting an amount from the person's wages or salary;\n(iv) registering a statutory charge on land owned by the\nperson;\n\nPart 3 Infringement notice offences\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 18\n(v) making a community work order for the person and\nimprisonment of the person if the person breaches the\norder.\n(3) Also, the infringement notice must include an appropriate form for\nmaking the statement of election mentioned in subregulation (2)(b).\n18 Payment by cheque\nIf the person tenders a cheque in payment of the prescribed\namount, the amount is not taken to have been paid unless the\ncheque is cleared on first presentation.\n18A Withdrawal of infringement notice\n(1) Any of the following persons may withdraw the infringement notice\nby written notice given to the person:\n(a) the person who gave the notice;\n(b) a police officer authorised for the purpose by the\nCommissioner of Police;\n(c) a person authorised for the purpose by the Commissioner.\n(2) The notice must be given:\n(a) within 28 days after the infringement notice is given to the\nperson; and\n(b) before payment of the prescribed amount.\n18B Application of Part\n(1) This Part does not prejudice or affect the start or continuation of\nproceedings for an infringement notice offence for which an\ninfringement notice has been given unless the offence is expiated.\n(2) Also, this Part does not:\n(a) require an infringement notice to be given; or\n(b) affect the liability of a person to be prosecuted in a court for an\noffence for which an infringement notice has not been given;\nor\n(c) prevent more than one infringement notice for the same\noffence being given to a person.\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous matters\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 19\n(3) If more than one infringement notice for the same offence has been\ngiven to a person, the person may expiate the offence by paying\nthe prescribed amount in accordance with any of the notices.\nPart 4 Miscellaneous matters\n19 Commissioned ranks\nFor section 44 of the Act, the rank of District Officer is prescribed.\n20 Fees and charges\n(1) For section 43 of the Act, the fees and charges specified in\nSchedule 4 are prescribed.\n(2) The Commissioner may, wholly or partly, waive a fee payable under\nthe Act if satisfied:\n(a) payment of the fee would cause financial hardship to the\nperson required to pay the fee; or\n(b) it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.\n\nSchedule 2 Prescribed buildings\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 20\nSchedule 2 Prescribed buildings\nregulation 11\nBuildings used for health care where the occupants undergo medical\ntreatment and generally would need physical assistance to evacuate the\nbuilding during an emergency, including:\n(a) public or private hospitals;\n(b) nursing homes or buildings used to accommodate sick or\ndisabled persons needing full-time nursing care; and\n(c) medical clinics, day surgeries or procedure units where\npatients may require medical care for some time after\ntreatment.\nBuildings used as child care centres.\nBuildings used as places of public entertainment.\nBuildings used for educational purposes, including schools, educational\ncolleges and universities.\nBuildings where people may assemble including for civic, theatrical, social,\npolitical, religious, recreational or transit purposes.\nBuildings used for long term or transient residential accommodation for\nunrelated persons, including:\n(a) boarding houses, guest houses, hostels, lodging-houses and\nback packers accommodation;\n(b) the residential parts of motels and hotels;\n(c) the residential parts of schools;\n(d) accommodation for the aged, disabled or children; and\n(e) the residential parts of buildings used for health care that\naccommodate medical staff.\nOffice buildings.\nShopping complexes, including super markets and large variety stores that\nincorporate smaller variety stores in the complex.\nBuildings used as factories or warehouses, including buildings in which goods\nare manufactured, processed, produced, assembled, altered, packaged,\nfinished, cleaned, stored or displayed.\n\nSchedule 2 Prescribed buildings\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 21\nBuildings used as fuel depots in which bulk fuels in tanks or packages are\nstored before distribution.\nBuildings licensed under the Liquor Act 2019 for the sale of liquor for\nconsumption on the buildings and where entertainment is provided, including\nbars, restaurants, discotheques and nightclubs.\nBuildings used as laboratories, whether for commercial, industrial and\neducational purposes.\n\nSchedule 3 Infringement notice offences and prescribed amounts\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 22\nSchedule 3 Infringement notice offences and prescribed\namounts\nregulation 15\nProvision Prescribed amount in penalty units\nsections 21(1), 23(2), 25(4), 28,\n30(6)(a), 32, 33, 35(1), 36(1), (3) and\n(5) and 41(2) of Act\n4\nregulations 3(1) and (4), 4, 5, 6, 7,\n7A(1) to (3), 8, 9(1) and (2), 10, 11(1)\nand (3) to (6), 11A and 12(1)\n4\nregulation 13A(1) 1\nregulations 13C(2) and 13D(1) to (3) 0.5\nregulation 13G(2) 1\n\nSchedule 4 Fees and charges\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 23\nSchedule 4 Fees and charges\nregulation 20\n1 Definitions\nIn this Schedule:\nalternative solution means a building solution to ensure a building\nthat does not satisfy the \"deemed-to-satisfy\" provisions under the\nBuilding Code complies with the performance requirements\napplicable to it under the Building Code.\nalternative solution meeting means a meeting to consider and\ndecide on an alternative solution.\nfire engineering design review, see clause 5.\nitem means an item of the Table in this Schedule.\nNTFAST means the Northern Territory Fire Alarm System\nTransmission.\nNTFRS report means a report by the Fire and Rescue Service as a\nreporting authority under the Building Act 1993.\n2 Attendance at fire or other emergency\nThe following fees are payable if one or more members, with or\nwithout equipment, attends a fire or other emergency:\n(a) the fees specified in item 1.1 for each member who attends;\n(b) if a vehicle mentioned in item 1.2 is taken to the emergency by\na member – the fees specified in the item;\n(c) if an item of equipment mentioned in item 1.3 is used at the\nemergency by a member – the fees specified in the item.\n3 Attendance if no fire or other emergency\nThe fee specified in item 2 is payable if:\n(a) one or more members, with or without equipment, attends at a\nplace in response to an alarm or call to the Fire and Rescue\nService for attendance at a fire or other emergency; and\n(b) there is in fact no fire or other emergency at the place.\n\nSchedule 4 Fees and charges\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 24\n4 NTFRS report\n(1) The following fees and charges are payable for the preparation of\nan NTFRS report in relation to a building:\n(a) the preparation fee specified in item 3.1;\n(b) if a member inspects the building:\n(i) a charge for the time the inspection takes at the rate\nspecified in item 3.2; and\n(ii) if the distance the member travels to inspect the building\nexceeds 100 km (return trip) – a charge for the distance\ntravelled at the rate specified in item 3.3;\n(c) if a member reinspects the building:\n(i) a charge for the time the reinspection takes at the rate\nspecified in item 3.4; and\n(ii) if the distance the member travels to reinspect the\nbuilding exceeds 100 km (return trip) – a charge for the\ndistance travelled at the rate specified in item 3.3;\n(d) if a member attends an alternative solution meeting for the\npurpose of preparing the report – the fee specified in item 5;\n(e) if a fire engineering design review is undertaken for the\npurpose of preparing the report – the fee specified in item 6;\n(f) if a search is undertaken for the purpose of preparing the\nreport – the fee specified in item 7.\n(2) The fee specified in item 4 is payable for a reassessment of an\nNTFRS report by a member.\n5 Fire engineering design review\n(1) A fire engineering design review is a review of a building or a\nstructural plan for a building to determine whether implementation\nof an alternative solution will result in the building complying with\nthe performance requirements applicable to it under the Building\nCode.\n(2) A fire engineering design review includes an assessment of one\nor more of the following matters:\n(a) fire initiation, development and control;\n\nSchedule 4 Fees and charges\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 25\n(b) smoke development, spread and control;\n(c) fire spread, impact and control;\n(d) fire detection, warning and suppression;\n(e) occupant evacuation and control;\n(f) fire brigade intervention.\n(3) If a fire engineering design review includes an assessment of:\n(a) only one of the matters mentioned in subclause (2) – it is a\nlevel 1 review; or\n(b) at least 2 but not more than 5 of the matters mentioned in\nsubclause (2) – it is a level 2 review; or\n(c) all matters mentioned in subclause (2) – it is a level 3 review.\n(4) The fees specified in item 6 are payable for a fire engineering\ndesign review.\n5A Fire alarm system monitoring fees\nThe fee specified in item 8 is payable for monitoring a fire alarm\nsystem by NTFAST.\n6 Other fees\nFor another matter mentioned in the Table, the prescribed fee is\nspecified opposite the matter.\nTABLE\nItem Particulars of fee or charge Fee or charge\n(revenue units)\n1 Attendance at fire or other emergency\n1.1 For each hour or part hour the member attends the\nemergency:\n(a) incident commander\n(b) member holding rank as station officer\n(c) other member\n61\n50\n45\n\nSchedule 4 Fees and charges\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 26\nItem Particulars of fee or charge Fee or charge\n(revenue units)\n1.2 For each hour or part hour the vehicle is at the\nemergency:\n(a) vehicle capable of pumping:\n(i) up to 1 000 L per minute\n(ii) between 1 001 L and 3 000 L per\nminute\n(iii) more than 3 000 L per minute\n115\n172\n230\n(b) vehicle with hydraulic ladder 287\n(c) emergency rescue vehicle 172\n(d) other vehicle 57\n1.3 For each hour or part hour the equipment is used at\nthe emergency:\n(a) portable pump 69\n(b) breathing apparatus 51\n(c) fully encapsulating chemical suit 34\n(d) use of foam generator 23\n(e) fire hose 5\n(f) salvage sheet 5\n2 Attendance if no fire or other emergency\nFor each attendance 924\n3 Preparation of NTFRS report\n3.1 Preparation fee for building with floor area of:\n(a) up to 700 m2\n(b) between 701 m2 and 1 100 m2\n(c) between 1 101 m2 and 1 500 m2\n406\n730\n893\n\nSchedule 4 Fees and charges\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 27\nItem Particulars of fee or charge Fee or charge\n(revenue units)\n(d) between 1 501 m2 and 2 000 m2\n(e) over 2 000 m2\n978\n1 021 plus 8 for\neach 100 m2\nover 2 000 m2\n3.2 Inspection fee:\n(a) if inspection takes 2 hours or less\n(b) if inspection takes more than 2 hours\n264\n264 for the first\n2 hours plus\n132 for each\nadditional hour\nor part hour\n3.3 For each kilometre travelled in excess of 100 km 1\n3.4 For each hour or part hour of reinspection 312\n4 Reassessment of NTFRS report\nFor each hour or part hour 156\n5 Alternative solution meeting\nFor each meeting 406\n6 Fire engineering design review\n(a) level 1\n(b) level 2\n(c) level 3\n397\n652\n1 304\n7 Search of Integrated Land Information System\nor Fire and Rescue Service database by\nmember\nFor each search undertaken 33\n8 Fire alarm system monitoring fees\nAnnual fee 1 920\n\nENDNOTES\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 28\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nFire and Emergency Regulations (SL No. 19, 1996)\nNotified 1 May 1996\nCommenced 1 May 1996\nStatute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2001 (Act No. 62, 2001)\nAssent date 11 December 2001\nCommenced 11 December 2001 (s 2(1) and (4), s 2 Corporations Reform\n(Consequential Amendments NT) Act 2001 (Act No. 17,\n2001), s 2 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth Act No. 50, 2001) and\nCth Gaz S285, 13 July 2001)\nStatute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2003 (Act No. 44, 2003)\nAssent date 7 July 2003\nCommenced 7 July 2003\nFire and Emergency Amendment Regulations 2005 (SL No. 47, 2005)\nNotified 9 November 2005\nCommenced 9 November 2005\nStatute Law Revision Act 2007 (Act No. 4, 2007)\nAssent date 8 March 2007\nCommenced 8 March 2007\nStatute Law Revision Act 2008 (Act No. 6, 2008)\nAssent date 11 March 2008\nCommenced 11 March 2008\nFire and Emergency Legislation Amendment Act 2009 (Act No. 39, 2009)\nAssent date 15 December 2010\nCommenced 24 February 2010 (Gaz G8, 24 February 2010, p 11)\n\nENDNOTES\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 29\nFire and Emergency Amendment Regulations 2011 (SL No. 29, 2011)\nNotified 29 June 2011\nCommenced 1 July 2011 (r 2, s 2 Fire and Emergency Amendment Act\n2010 (Act No. 49, 2010) and Gaz G26, 29 June 2011, p 8)\nFire and Emergency Amendment (Smoke Alarm) Regulations 2011 (SL No. 43, 2011)\nNotified 31 August 2011\nCommenced 1 November 2011 (r 2)\nFire and Emergency Amendment Regulations 2017 (SL No. 14, 2017)\nNotified 29 June 2017\nCommenced 1 July 2017 (r 2)\nLiquor Act 2019 (Act No. 29, 2019)\nAssent date 3 September 2019\nCommenced 1 October 2019 (Gaz G39, 25 September 2019, p 2)\nFire and Emergency Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 5, 2024)\nAssent date 14 March 2024\nCommenced 16 July 2024 (Gaz S67, 15 July 2024)\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: rr 1 and 17 and Sch 2 and 4.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\npt 1 hdg amd No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 2 amd No. 47, 2005, r 14; Act No. 4, 2007, s 7\nsub No. 29, 2011, r 4\namd No. 43, 2011, r 4\nr 3 rep No. 29, 2011, r 4\nins No. 29, 2011, r 5\npt 2 hdg amd No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 4 amd No. 47, 2005, r 14\nsub No. 29, 2011, r 5\nr 5 amd No. 47, 2005, r 3; No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 6 amd No. 47, 2005, r 4; No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 7 amd No. 47, 2005, r 5; No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 7A ins No. 47, 2005, r 6\namd No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 8 amd No. 47, 2005, r 7; No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 9 amd No. 47, 2005, r 8; No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 10 amd No. 47, 2005, r 9; No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 11 sub No. 47, 2005, r 10\namd Act No. 39, 2009, s 10; No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 11A ins No. 29, 2011, r 6\nr 12 amd Act No. 44, 2003, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2005, r 10; No. 43, 2011, r 5\npt 2A hdg ins No. 43, 2011, r 5\nins No. 43, 2011, r 5\nrr 13 – 13H ins No. 43, 2011, r 5\npt 3 hdg sub No. 29, 2011, r 7\n\nENDNOTES\nFire and Emergency Regulations 1996 30\nr 13 sub No. 47, 2005, r 10\nrep No. 29, 2011, r 7\nrr 14 – 17 amd No. 47, 2005, r 14\nsub No. 29, 2011, r 7\nr 18 sub No. 29, 2011, r 7\nr 18A ins No. 47, 2005, r 11\nsub No. 29, 2011, r 7\namd Act No. 5, 2024, s 28\nr 18B ins No. 47, 2005, r 11\namd Act No. 6, 2008, s 4\nsub No. 29, 2011, r 7\npt 4 hdg amd No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 19 amd Act No. 62, 2001, s 7; No. 47, 2005, r 14; No. 29, 2011, r 11\nr 20 rep No. 47, 2005, r 12\nins No. 29, 2011, r 8\namd No. 43, 2011, r 6; Act No. 5, 2024, s 29\nr 21 rep No. 47, 2005, r 12\nsch 1 rep No. 29, 2011, r 9\nsch 2 amd No. 29, 2011, r 11; Act No. 29, 2019, s 350\nsch 3 amd No. 47, 2005, r 13\nsub No. 29, 2011, r 10\nsub No. 43, 2011, r 7\nsch 4 ins No. 29, 2011, r 10\namd No. 14, 2017, r 4","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown significantly beyond its original 1996 scope. Originally focused on firebreaks, flammable material storage, and basic fire safety equipment, it has expanded to include: (1) comprehensive smoke alarm requirements (Part 2A added 2011) covering residential premises, caravans, and manufactured homes with specific technology mandates (photo-electric vs ionisation); (2) detailed emergency planning for prescribed buildings including evacuation training and register-keeping; (3) accommodation park-specific requirements; (4) modern infringement notice procedures aligned with the Fines and Penalties (Recovery) Act; and (5) complex fee structures for fire engineering design reviews and alarm monitoring. The smoke alarm provisions in particular represent a major shift from general fire prevention to specific residential life-safety equipment mandates."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms across different Parts (Part 1 has general definitions, Part 2A has 10 specific definitions for smoke alarms, Part 3 has infringement-specific definitions)","Extensive cross-referencing to external standards (AS 1674, AS 2444, AS 3745, AS 3786, AS 2441, Building Code of Australia) which are 'as in force from time to time', creating moving targets for compliance","Nested conditional logic in smoke alarm provisions (reg 13A(2) has 4 alternative trigger events for when ionisation alarms must be replaced, with 'earlier of' timing rules)","Dual maintenance regimes for smoke alarms depending on whether premises are owner-occupied (reg 13C) or tenanted/hired (reg 13D), with different obligations for owners vs tenants","Multiple penalty tiers (100 penalty units for general fire safety, 20 for record-keeping, 10 for smoke alarm installation, 5 for maintenance, 0.5-1 for infringement notices)","Schedule-based fee structure with complex calculations (distance travelled >100km, floor area brackets, hourly rates for different ranks, equipment usage fees)","Grandfathering provisions allowing existing non-compliant smoke alarms to remain temporarily (reg 13A(2))","Agent provisions allowing delegation but explicitly excluding tenants from being agents for owners (reg 13F(2))"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese are the **Fire and Emergency Regulations 1996** for the Northern Territory. They set out practical rules to prevent fires and manage emergencies, covering everything from backyard firebreaks to smoke alarm requirements in homes and businesses.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n*   **Landowners and occupiers** – must clear firebreaks, manage flammable materials, and maintain safe storage of things like timber, tyres, and containers.\n*   **Business owners** – must train staff in fire safety, maintain equipment, and ensure safe welding practices.\n*   **Homeowners and landlords** – must install and maintain photo-electric smoke alarms in houses, units, caravans, and manufactured homes.\n*   **Tenants and hirers** – must test smoke alarms yearly and replace batteries when needed.\n*   **Accommodation park operators** – must ensure caravan parks have emergency plans, fire hose reels, and safe spacing between dwellings.\n\n**Key requirements:**\n\n*   **Firebreaks:** Land in emergency response areas needs a 4-metre cleared boundary.\n*   **Storage rules:** Strict limits on how high you can stack tyres (3m), timber (3m), and containers (2m), with minimum distances from buildings and boundaries.\n*   **Smoke alarms:** Must be photo-electric type (not ionisation), either wired to mains power or have a 10-year sealed battery. Existing ionisation alarms can stay until they break, the property is sold, or a new tenant moves in.\n*   **Emergency planning:** High-risk buildings (hospitals, schools, factories, pubs, childcare centres) need evacuation training, maintained equipment, and clear exit paths.\n*   **Infringement notices:** Police and authorised officers can issue on-the-spot fines for breaches instead of taking people to court.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThese rules save lives. They ensure fires can be fought effectively, people can escape buildings safely, and homes have working smoke alarms to warn occupants early. The regulations balance personal responsibility (maintaining your own property) with business accountability (training staff, maintaining safety systems)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Regulations have grown beyond simple site-management rules first made in 1996. Subsequent amendments have added substantive new domains: a comprehensive smoke-alarm regime for residential premises and moveable dwellings (Part 2A inserted by the Smoke Alarm Regulations 2011), an expanded infringement‑notice enforcement framework and prescribed infringement amounts (Part 3 and Schedule 3, as amended), and a detailed fees and charges regime for Fire and Rescue Service activities (Schedule 4 and reg 20). These insertions convert the instrument from primarily technical on‑site requirements into a broader compliance and administrative regime that allocates ongoing maintenance duties between owners and tenants/hirers, prescribes emergency planning for public and commercial buildings (reg 11 and Schedule 2), and imposes user-pays fees for service attendance and reporting (Schedule 4). The changes shift recurring costs onto private actors and add procedural enforcement mechanisms that were not part of a narrow 1996 regulatory scope."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to external instruments (Australian Standards and the Building Code) increasing interpretive work (reg 2, regs 9, 11, 13B).","Part 2A introduces many defined terms and role distinctions (owner, occupier, tenant, hirer, agent, moveable dwelling, classes of building) — roughly 20–25 defined terms across regs 2 and 13. ","Nested conditional rules and transitional exceptions (for example reg 13A(2) allows existing ionisation alarms to remain until specific events).","Several overlapping duties allocated to different actors (owner v occupier v tenant v hirer v accommodation park owner) creating shared and shifting responsibilities (regs 3–13D, 12).","Multiple offence types enforced by two systems: infringement notices (Part 3/Schedule 3) and more serious penalties (many regs carry 100 penalty units), with procedural cross-links to the Fines and Penalties (Recovery) Act (regs 15–18B).","Detailed technical operational rules (stack heights, passage widths, clearances, flue inspection cycles) that are factual but numerous (rr 5–7A, 8).","A substantial schedule of operational fees and charges with tiered items and distance/time calculations (Schedule 4) adding administrative complexity for users and the agency.","Record-keeping and training obligations with inspection and production-on-demand requirements (reg 11(3)–(4))."],"plain_english_summary":"**What these Regulations do (mechanically)**\n\n- Set minimum fire-safety duties for occupiers and owners of land and buildings across the Northern Territory, and prescribe how those duties are enforced (civil fines called infringement notices and criminal penalties for breaches). Key duties include:\n  - maintain a 4 m firebreak around land in an emergency response area (reg 3);\n  - prevent dangerous accumulations of flammable or combustible material (reg 4);\n  - limit how containers, timber, bulk combustible material and tyres are stacked and sited, including minimum passage widths and clearances from boundaries and buildings (rr 5–7A);\n  - ensure exhaust/fume flues have inspection ports and are inspected and cleaned on a set cycle (reg 8);\n  - require fire extinguishers and protective screens when cutting/heating/welding equipment is used in business premises, and safe disposal of welding residue (reg 9);\n  - require secure, covered steel containers for oily rags and oily waste at industrial sites (reg 10);\n  - require owners of certain buildings (\"prescribed buildings\") to run emergency planning and training, keep records, and maintain safety systems in accordance with AS 3745 and other standards (reg 11 and Schedule 2);\n  - require people to evacuate a building when alarms are activated and an authorised person directs evacuation (reg 11A);\n  - impose specific requirements on accommodation park owners (separation of moveable dwellings, access for fire trucks, emergency plans, staff training and provision of plans to occupants) (reg 12);\n  - impose a comprehensive smoke-alarm regime for residential premises and moveable dwellings: definitions, types of approved alarms, where to install them, and who must test, maintain and replace them (Part 2A, regs 13–13H).\n\n- Provide an infringement-notice enforcement framework for specified contraventions, set the amounts payable for various infringements (Schedules 3 and regs 15–18A), and list fees and charges for Fire and Rescue Service activities (reg 20 and Schedule 4).\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Property owners and occupiers: primarily responsible for firebreaks, housekeeping (no dangerous accumulations), safe storage and stacking rules, maintenance of flues and oily-waste containers (regs 3–10).\n- Owners of \"prescribed buildings\" (Schedule 2): must run emergency planning, staff instruction and maintain safety equipment to standards (reg 11).\n- Accommodation park owners/operators: must ensure separation rules, access, fire hose installation, emergency plans and staff training (reg 12).\n- Owners and tenants/hirers of residential premises and moveable dwellings (caravans, manufactured homes, certain tents): share duties on smoke alarms—owners must install approved alarms; owners and tenants/hirers must test and maintain alarms on prescribed schedules (Part 2A, regs 13A–13E).\n- Businesses that use welding/cutting equipment, store tyres, timber or bulk combustibles: must follow stacking, separation and on-site fire-safety equipment rules (rr 5–7A, 9).\n- Individuals present in buildings: required to evacuate when alarmed and directed (reg 11A).\n- Users of Fire and Rescue Service resources: may be charged fees for attendance, false alarms, reports, fire-engineering reviews and alarm monitoring (Schedule 4).\n\n**Why it matters (purpose claims, and practical trade-offs)**\n\n- The stated purpose is to reduce fire risk to life and property by imposing minimum preventive standards, emergency planning and smoke-alarm coverage (see regs 3, 11, Part 2A). That purpose is implemented by transferring most preventive action and cost to private actors (owners, occupiers, park operators) and attaching enforcement consequences if they fail to comply.\n\n- Costs and who pays: owners and occupiers pay for installing and maintaining infrastructure (firebreak creation, smoke alarms, fire-fighting equipment, compliant storage and separation), for staff training and record-keeping (prescribed buildings, accommodation parks), and for fees if Fire and Rescue Service is called or produces reports (Schedule 4). Tenants/hirers bear some recurring costs while occupying premises (battery replacement in certain circumstances and periodic testing) per regs 13C–13D.\n\n- Incentives and substitution effects:\n  - The Regulations give owners an incentive to install the specified approved smoke alarms (photo-electric or hard-wired with standby or sealed 10-year lithium) rather than cheaper ionisation units; however, a transitional concession allows existing ionisation alarms to remain until certain trigger events occur (reg 13A(2)), which creates an incentive to delay upgrades until those events occur.\n  - Owners can appoint agents to perform duties, reducing transaction costs when property managers are used; tenants/hirers cannot act as the owner’s agent for compliance (reg 13F).\n\n- Enforcement, compliance burden and administrative discretion:\n  - Many breaches attract maximum penalties of 100 penalty units (see regs 3, 4, 5–7A, 8–11, 12), and smoke-alarm-specific penalties are lower (up to 10 penalty units for interference or for failing to install as required) (regs 13A, 13G). Infringement notices and prescribed amounts are set out in reg 15 and Schedule 3; authorised officers and police may issue notices (reg 16), with formal consequences under the Fines and Penalties (Recovery) Act if unpaid (reg 17(2)).\n  - The Commissioner has limited administrative discretion to waive some fees (reg 20(2)), and enforcement relies on authorised persons and members to inspect and issue notices.\n\n- Standards and dynamic obligations: The Regulations incorporate external technical instruments (Australian Standards and the Building Code) by reference (reg 2 and multiple cross-references, e.g. regs 9, 11, 13B). That links obligations to standards which can change over time, shifting practical requirements without amending the Regulations themselves.\n\n**Concrete behavioural changes the law produces**\n\n- Owners/occupiers will either change site layout (firebreaks, separations for stacks and moveable dwellings) or face fines (rr 3–7A, 12).\n- Owners of prescribed buildings must adopt emergency plans, train staff and maintain registers (reg 11).\n- Owners must install approved smoke alarms and either maintain them or arrange agents to do so; tenants/hirers share in regular testing and battery replacement duties while occupying (Part 2A).\n- Businesses that trigger Fire and Rescue Service responses may face significant attendance or false-alarm fees (Schedule 4), shifting some costs of emergency responses onto users.\n\n**Implementation risks and likely frictions**\n\n- Compliance monitoring depends on authorised officers and reactive inspections; diffuse obligations (e.g. “does not constitute a danger by fire” in reg 4) require judgment and can lead to inconsistent enforcement.\n- Reliance on external standards and the Building Code means practical obligations can shift when those instruments are updated, creating compliance uncertainty for owners and operators.\n- The transitional allowance for existing ionisation alarms (reg 13A(2)) reduces immediate retrofit costs but leaves a cohort of residences using technology the Regulations otherwise discourage, with attendant safety trade-offs.\n\nReferences: See specific provisions cited above (regs 3–13H, Part 3, reg 20, Schedules 2–4)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, there is insufficient substantive content to determine whether the scope has changed from the original 1996 intent. The 2024 reprint designation (REPF030R1) suggests this is a consolidation of existing law rather than a new policy direction, but the actual regulatory provisions are not present in the document provided to confirm this assessment."},"complexity_factors":["The document provided contains very limited substantive content — mostly metadata and structural headers — making full analysis impossible","Regulations of this type typically involve technical fire safety standards that require specialist knowledge to interpret","The 1996 origin date means the regulations have likely been amended multiple times over nearly 30 years, with the 2024 reprint consolidating those changes","NT-specific jurisdiction adds a layer of complexity for those unfamiliar with Territory law","Cross-referencing with the parent Act (Fire and Emergency Act) would be necessary to fully understand the scope and effect of specific provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the practical, day-to-day rules for fire safety and emergency services in the Northern Territory, administered by the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Service (NTFES). They affect residents, property owners, businesses, and NTFES staff and volunteers who must meet fire prevention, safety and service requirements.\n\nThis version is a reprint incorporating amendments up to 16 July 2024. Non‑compliance can attract fines or other penalties, so the rules matter for legal and safety obligations."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996","history":"/api/acts/fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996/history","analysis":"/api/acts/fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/fire-and-emergency-regulations-1996/documents"}}