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 works that includes a performance solution involving any Category 2 fire safety provision.

When the certifier receives an application for CC, and where the building works involve a performance solution that intends to meet any performance requirement of a Category 2 fire safety provision, the certifier is required under clause 144(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (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 clause 144A of the EP&A Reg. is considered part of the specifications of the building.

Note: On 1 December 2019 the EP&A Reg. was amended to use the term ‘performance solution’ as used within the National Construction Code.

The certifier should use the initial fire safety report application form. The certifier should check the EP&A Reg. savings and transitional provisions to determine the applicability of new provisions on existing consent. FRNSW will notify the certifier within 10 days if an IFSR will be provided or not. If being provided, FRNSW will provide the IFSR to the certifier within 28 days after the document receipt date.

Note: The EP&A Reg. was amended in 2015 to give the Fire Commissioner discretion to provide an IFSR or not. FRNSW prioritise all applications and assess those that present greater risks and impacts to the community with consideration of available internal resources.

If the competent fire safety practitioner responsible for the PSR has undertaken previous consultation with FRNSW on the performance solution, the Performance solution summary table should be completed and attached to the IFSR application.

An IFSR will not be provided if the application for CC has already been determined by the certifier. 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. Clause 148 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 P SRs 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.

Situation	What you should do
An application for CC is received for building works to which clause 144 of the EP&A Reg. is applicable	Submit the completed initial fire safety report application form (see form below). Attach all relevant documentation as per clause 144(2) of the EP&A Reg. (i.e. copy of application for CC, building plans and specifications, performance solution report). Agree to pay the charge for an IFSR to be furnished.
The application for CC has been amended prior to the IFSR being furnished by FRNSW (i.e. the plans and specs have been amended prior to the CC being issued)	Withdraw the request for initial fire safety report application (by email). Resubmit the completed IFSR application form with the amended information and documents. Agree to pay the charge for the IFSR to be furnished when you resubmit.
The IFSR is not being furnished by FRNSW	The certifier must assess the performance solution when determining the application for CC for approval or refusal. No FRNSW charge will apply.
The IFSR has been furnished by FRNSW	The certifier must take into consideration the IFSR and any conditions FRNSW recommends be imposed. The certifier must advise in writing of any conditions not being adopted. The certifier must assess the performance solution when determining the application for CC for approval or refusal. The FRNSW charge for furnishing the IFSR must be paid.
The development to which an issued CC relates is being modified (i.e. applying to modify CC with new or revised plans and specifications)	Submit the completed initial fire safety report application form for the modification of CC. Attach all relevant documentation for the modified development (i.e. copy of application for CC, revised building plans and specifications, performance solution report). FRNSW will assess the new or modified performance solution in the updated PSR, particularly with any increase in risk. Agree to pay the charge for a new IFSR (i.e. for the modified development).
An updated PSR has been received from the accredited practitioner (fire safety)	Determine if the updates constitute a change in design that requires the existing CC be modified or a new CC be issued (e.g. are changes being made to the plans and specifications that were submitted to the consent authority when the CC was issued)?

Forms

Initial fire safety report application (MS Word, 285 kb dotm)

Performance solution summary table (MS Word, 243 kb dotm)

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 (Adobe, 977 kb pdf)

About FRNSW forms

Submitting plans and specifications to FRNSW

Using the Performance solution summary table