Final fire safety report
The principal certifying authority (PCA) is required to request a final fire safety report (FFSR) from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and consider any findings prior to issuing an occupation certificate (OC) for a building that includes an alternative solution.
When the PCA receives an application for OC, and the building works involve an alternative solution to which clause 144 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (EPandA Reg.) relates, the PCA is required under clause 152(2) of the EPandA Reg. to request an FFSR from FRNSW.
The PCA should use the FFSR application form below. The PCA should check the EPandA Reg. savings and transitional provisions to determine the applicability of new provisions on existing consent (e.g. timeframe to furnish report being 7 or 10 days). FRNSW will notify the PCA if an FFSR will be provided or not. If being provided, FRNSW will arrange and conduct an inspection and provide the FFSR to the PCA within 7 or 10 days.
Note: The EPandA Reg. was amended in 2015 to give the Fire Commissioner discretion to provide an FFSR or not. FRNSW prioritise all applications and inspect those that present greater risks and impacts to the community.
If the application for OC also requires a fire safety system report under clause 152A of the EPandA Reg. (i.e. class 2 or 3 building), the FFSR application form can be used to request both reports concurrently. If separate applications are made instead, two reports with applicable charges may result.
FRNSW will only inspect the building works that is subject to the application for OC (interim or final). FRNSW expects works are completed to the plans and specifications applicable to the relevant construction certificate (CC), including the alternative solution report (ASR) version attached to the current fire safety schedule for that CC. Fire safety systems should be tested and commissioned with the fire safety certificate (interim or final) issued prior to the application for OC being made, and the FFSR being requested.
The PCA must ensure the building is ready for the inspection, and any application for OC should be refused if building works are incomplete or critical defects exist.
| Situation | What you should do |
| An application for OC is received for a building for which clause 144 of the EPandA Reg. applies |
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| You refuse the application for OC prior to the FFSR being furnished by FRNSW |
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| The FFSR is not being furnished by FRNSW |
|
| Significant building works are still being undertaken when FRNSW arrive to conduct the inspection (i.e. the building is not ready for inspection) |
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| Critical defects are identified by FRNSW during the inspection |
|
| Non-critical defects are identified by FRNSW during the inspection |
|
Form
Final fire safety report application (MS Word, 227 kb dotm)
What do I get?
The PCA will receive an FFSR which is to be used when determining the application for OC being applied for. The FFSR identifies whether FRNSW is satisfied that building works comply with the alternative solution in respect of the Category 2 fire safety provisions subject to the CC, fire hydrants are accessible, and hose couplings in the fire hydrant system are compatible with FRNSW.
Costs
The charge applicable to furnish a FFSR comprises a charge based on the cost of the inspection and $180 for the assessment of each applicable Category 2 fire safety provision.
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 and charges for services page.
Further information
Final fire safety report process technical information sheet (Adobe, 1.73 mb pdf)
How to pre-book the FFSR inspection