Building fire safety

This building and fire safety industry portal has been published to assist industry professionals including architects, building owners/managers, building regulation consultants, building surveyors, certifying authorities, consent authorities, dangerous goods/hazardous industry consultants, fire protection installers and consultants, fire safety engineers, government authorities, hydraulic consultants, other engineers, other fire agencies, public agencies and bodies, regulatory authorities, risk analysts and the like.

Latest building fire safety news

Revised position statement and technical information sheet

Published: 23 December 2024

Please be advised that FRNSW have updated the position statement Fire doors with fire activated retaining devices (e.g. bolts). The term "fire activated bolts" has been changed to "fire activated retaining devices" and a new corresponding note has been added.

FRNSW have also updated technical information sheet FRNSW compatible Storz hose connections. This version (ver 10) clarifies that new Storz hose connections must comply with AS 2419.4:2021 and be demonstrated through product conformity. The 'FBT-Storz adaptor' and non-compliant "NEN 3374" Storz should not be fitted on new/upgraded fire hydrant systems. 

Revised performance-based design brief (PBDB) consultation and initial fire Safety report (IFSR) application forms

Published: 2 December 2024

Please be advised that FRNSW have updated the performance-based design brief (PBDB) consutation form. The current version is Version 19, and supersedes the PBDB/FEBQ form.

FRNSW have also updated the initial fire safety report (IFSR) application form. The current version is Version 24.

FRNSW encourage applicants to start using the new forms straight away, however will permit a two week transition period until COB 16th December 2024, after which we will no longer be accepting the older application forms for new jobs.

New position statements

Published: 9 October 2024

The following position statements are new or revised: 

New position statements

Published: 13 September 2024

The following position statements are new or revised: 

The Technical Information Sheet Fire safety in early childhood centres has been rescinded as it is superseded by the corresponding new position statement above. 

New position statements

Published: 14 June 2024

The following position statements are new or revised: 

Amended position statements for dry hydrants and electic vehicles and charging

Published: 4 June 2024

The Dry fire hydrant system and Electric vehicles (EV) and EV charging equipment position statements have been amended and published on the position statements web page. 

New look position statements web page

Published: 4 June 2024

The position statements web page has been overhauled in a new look format that includes a searchable list of our current published positions. The list can be sorted by alphabetical titles (ascending order) or by date last updated (newest to oldest).

New LinkedIn profile for 'frnsw-firesafety'

Published: 29 April 2024

A new LinkedIn profile has been created under FRNSW to better connect and disseminate information with our indiustry stakeholders. Professionals wishing to receive related notifications are encouraged to connect and follow us at www.linkedin.com/showcase/frnsw-firesafety.

New position statement Automatic storage and retrieval systems

Published: 1 November 2023

A new position statement on Automatic storage and retrieval systems has been published. 

Complying Development Certificates and Final Fire Safety Reports

Published: 11 September 2023

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has received a number of enquiries regarding the requirement for certifiers to request a Final Fire Safety Report from FRNSW for certain developments (in accordance with the requirements of section 50 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021) following the receipt of an application for an Occupation Certificate, and whether these requirements are applicable to an application for an Occupation Certificate that relates to a Complying Development Certificate.

FRNSW and the Department of Customer Service have discussed this matter and are of the view that s50 of the abovementioned Regulation was only ever intended to apply to Occupation Certificate applications that relate to a Construction Certificate. The wording contained in s50(1) of the Regulation may not be as clear as it could be, but it is FRNSW view that the policy intent is clearly reflected in the definition of a Final Fire Safety Report contained in s50(8) of the Regulation. As such, it is FRNSW interpretation that a certifier is not required to request a Final Fire Safety Report for developments that were the subject of a Complying Development Certificate.

FRNSW understands that these requirements may be clarified in future amendments to the Regulation.

Please note however that FRNSW should still be consulted as a relevant stakeholder in other applications related to Complying Development Certificates as required, such as performance-based design briefs as per NCC Clause A2G2(4)(a), etc.

Revised performance-based design brief / fire engineering brief questionnaire (FEBQ) form

Published: 3 August 2023

Please be advised that FRNSW have updated the performance-based design brief / fire engineering brief questionnaire (FEBQ) form. The current version is Version 18. 

FRNSW encourage applicants to start using the new form straight away, however will permit a two week transition period until 18th August 2023, after which we will no longer be accepting the older application forms for new jobs.

Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Amendment (Fire Safety) Regulation 2022

Published: 1 August 2023

From 1 August 2023, the Amending Regulation above will expand the types of building proposals that must be referred to FRNSW for comment and the stages for referral through amendment of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021. This also includes changes to legislated timeframes.

The main changes relate to the performance-based design brief, initial fire safety reports, final fire safety reports and fire safety system reports. FRNSW have made changes to relevant sections of the website, however some guidelines, technical information sheets and process documents are still in the process of being updated.

The Amending Regulation also makes changes to other items, such as a standardised mandatory template for fire safety schedules. Refer to https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/news-and-updates/notices/reforms-to-fire-safety-regulation#further-info for further information on the Amending Regulation.