Councillor Ron Cummins is asking the Upper Lachlan Shire Council to explain the missing roll call of fire safety compliant buildings.

"Who wants to end up in front of a coronial inquiry because some person has suffered because of council's lack of action," Cr Cummins said. 

A council spokesperson said a report on fire safety compliance would be included in the Thursday October 18 meeting business papers.

Following on from queries raised by Cr Cummins and the Crookwell Gazette, the council will begin an education campaign to remind building owners of their responsibilities. 

The buildings, which include businesses and accommodation, could be forced into fire safety upgrades or be issued orders to cease operations.

Upper Lachlan Shire Council general manager John Bell did not indicate the report's cost, potential findings or impact, if any, to local businesses.

Several local business owners canvassed by the Crookwell Gazette believe they may be non-compliant, based on a lack of recent inspections/certification.

The chain of responsibility for fire safety regulations begins with the state department of Planning and Environment. 

The consent authority for fire safety is the local council, said Mark Nolan from the Office of Local Government. 

Local councils are able to issue a fire safety upgrade order if a building is deemed unsafe, and give notice to a building owner. 

Breaches requiring upgrade orders may include smoke alarm systems, fire doors, signs, and maintenance of equipment.

An operations manager in building maintenance services, Killian Jordan, says a basic fire safety system for a 40-metres-square office costs about $4000. 

In 2010, tighter state legislation was enacted nationally after the fatal Childers backpacker hostel fire in Queensland, where 15 people died.

"The only thing that will make [the council] sit up and take notice is a fire incident in a heavily occupied building," said Cr Cummins.