Initial fire safety report
The certifier is required to request an initial fire safety report (IFSR) from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and consider any conditions prior to issuing a construction certificate (CC) for building work that involves a performance solution for a fire safety requirement in a building other than—
(a) a class 1a, 1b or 10 building, or
(b) a temporary structure
When the certifier receives an application for CC for such a development, the certifier is required under section 27 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021 (EP&A Reg.) to refer a copy of the application for CC and its plans and specifications to FRNSW. The performance solution report (PSR) required by section 18 of the EP&A Reg. is considered part of the specifications of the building.
The certifier should use the initial fire safety report application form. FRNSW will notify the certifier within 10 working days if an IFSR will be provided or not. If being provided, FRNSW will provide the IFSR to the certifier within 25 days after the document receipt date.
The Performance solution summary table should be completed and attached to the IFSR application.
Any proposed change in design after a CC has been issued will require the CC to be modified or a new CC issued for the changed plans and specifications, which includes attaching any new or revised PSR to the fire safety schedule. Section 24 of the EP&A Reg. requires any modification of CC to be assessed the same way as the initial CC (i.e. the application is to be referred to FRNSW and an IFSR requested).
Note: FRNSW has no role in receiving or managing updated PSRs on any project. However, FRNSW does expect the PSR version applicable to the completed building works to be the same version as attached to the current fire safety schedule, and as per applicable CCs determined and issued by the certifier.
Forms
Initial fire safety report application (MS Word)
Performance solution summary table (MS Word)
What do I get?
The certifier will receive an IFSR which is to be used when determining the application for CC being applied for. The IFSR identifies whether FRNSW is satisfied that the performance solution will meet the performance requirements it intends to meet, fire hydrants are accessible, and hose couplings are compatible with FRNSW. The IFSR may also recommend conditions to be imposed.
Costs
The charge applicable to furnish an IFSR comprises a charge based on the estimated cost of development (as per approved development application) and $180 for the assessment of each applicable Category 2 fire safety provision.
| Est. Cost of Development | Charge |
| Up to $250,000 | $500 |
| $250,001-$500,000 | $500, plus an additional $0.40 for each $1,000 (or part of $1,000) by which the estimated cost exceeds $250,000 |
| $500,001-$1,000,000 | $600, plus an additional $0.30 for each $1,000 (or part of $1,000) by which the estimated cost exceeds $500,000 |
| $1,000,001-$10,000,000 | $750, plus an additional $0.20 for each $1,000 (or part of $1,000) by which the estimated cost exceeds $1,000,000 |
| More than $10,000,000 | $2,550, plus an additional $0.10 for each $1,000 (or part of $1,000) by which the estimated cost exceeds $10,000,000 |
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 and charges for services page.
Further information
Initial fire safety report process technical information sheet (PDF)