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Fire safety system report

The principal certifying authority (PCA) is required to request a fire safety system report (FSSR) from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and consider any findings prior to issuing an occupation certificate (OC) for any class 2 or 3 building that included building work on a relevant fire safety system.

On 1 October 2017, clause 152A was added to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (EP&A Reg.) to give the Fire Commissioner discretion to provide a FSSR for class 2 and 3 buildings. When the PCA receives an application for OC for any class 2 or 3 building, and building works involved installing, extending or modifying any of the following:

  • a fire hydrant system
  • a fire hose reel system
  • a sprinkler system (including a wall-wetting sprinkler or drencher system)
  • any type of automatic fire suppression system of a hydraulic nature
  • a fire detection and alarm system
  • a mechanical ducted smoke control system

the PCA is required under clause 152A of the EP&A Reg. to request an FSSR from FRNSW. This applies irrespective of building size, whether the building has an alternative solution or not, and whether the associated building works was within the class 2 or 3 parts of the building or not.

Note: FRNSW will prioritise all applications and assess those that present the greatest risk and impact to the community.

The FSSR application form below should be used by the PCA. However, if the building has an alternative solution to which clause 152 of the EP&A Reg. applies, the final fire safety report application form should be used instead to avoid making two separate applications.

If the FSSR is to be provided, FRNSW will attend the building and provide the report to the PCA within ten (10) days. FRNSW will assess the functionality and performance of the relevant fire safety systems to determine if they are capable of performing to the standard in the current fire safety schedule. If any relevant fire safety system includes an alternative solution to which clause 144 of the EP&A Reg. does not apply, a copy of the alternative solution report is to be provided with the FSSR application so that the standard of performance of that system can be identified and assessed.

Note: Fire safety systems are expected to be tested and commissioned and the fire safety certificate issued prior to the application for OC being made, and the FSSR being requested.

Situation What you should do
An application for OC is received for a class 2 or 3 building for which clause 152A of the EP&A Reg. applies
  • Verify all documentation including the fire safety certificate to ensure building works are complete and the building is ready for occupation.
  • Submit the completed FSSR application form.
  • Attach all relevant documentation (i.e. copy of application for OC, development consent or complying development certificate, construction certificate, compliance certificate, fire safety certificate, current fire safety schedule).
  • Agree to pay the charge.
The application for OC also requires a request be made for a final fire safety report under clause 152 of the EP&A Reg.
  • Complete and submit the final fire safety report application form, and indicate on that form a concurrent FSSR application is being made.
  • Verify documentation to ensure building is ready for occupation then attach relevant documentation to application (i.e. copy of application for OC, alternative solution report, fire safety certificate, current fire safety schedule).
  • Agree to pay the charge when you resubmit.
You refuse the application for OC prior to an FSSR being furnished by FRNSW
  • Notify FRNSW (by email) that you have refused the OC and are withdrawing the request for FSSR.
  • Resubmit the FSSR application form with amended documents when ready.
  • Agree to pay the charge when you resubmit.
The FSSR has not been furnished by FRNSW within ten (10) days
  • Assess the building works (e.g. final critical stage inspection).
  • You can determine and issue the OC only after ten (10) days since requesting the FSSR.
  • No FRNSW charge will apply.
Building works are incomplete and the building is not appropriate for inspection upon FRNSW arrival
  • You will be furnished with an FFSR stating the application for OC should be refused as the building is incomplete and any documentation is either false or misleading.
  • Pay the charge applicable for the inspection.
  • Resubmit the FSSR application form when the new application for OC is received.
A defect is identified which results in the relevant fire safety system not performing to the standard required
  • You will be furnished with an FSSR stating the relevant fire safety system does not perform to the required standard.
  • Pay the charge applicable for the inspection.
  • Order rectification works be undertaken as required and the system be recertified when works are complete.
  • Resubmit the FSSR application form if a new application for OC is received.
  • You can determine and issue the OC only after ten (10) days since requesting the FSSR.
The relevant fire safety systems all perform to the standard required
  • You will be furnished with an FSSR stating the relevant fire safety systems perform to the required standard.
  • Pay the charge applicable for the inspection.
  • You can determine and issue the OC only after ten (10) days since requesting the FSSR.

Form

Fire safety system report application  (MS Word, 224 kb dotm)

What do I get?

The PCA will receive a FSSR which is to be used when determining the application for OC being applied for. The FSSR identifies whether FRNSW is satisfied that relevant fire safety systems are capable of performing to the standard in the current fire safety schedule.

Costs

The charge applicable to furnish a FSSR comprises a charge based on the cost of an inspection which is undertaken to assess the relevant fire safety systems. The inspection charge for the initial inspection is $215 for the first two (2) hours and $200 for each additional hour thereafter of the initial inspection, including travelling time. For any subsequent re-inspection, the charge is $430 for the first two (2) hours and $200 for each additional hour thereafter, including travelling time.

For a full description of the charges applicable including terms, payment options, applying for a waiver or reduction of the charges, please refer to the fees & charges for services page.

Further information

Fire safety system report process technical information sheet  (Adobe, 1.17 mb pdf)

About FRNSW forms

Planning circular - Building Fire Safety Regulation new and changed requirements (external link)

Fact sheet for building owners on new fire safety requirements (external link)

EP&A (Fire Safety and Building Certification) Regulation 2017 (external link)