Common frequently asked questions regarding business undertaken by the Fire Safety Liaison Unit can be found here. Please also refer to other unit FAQ pages if relevant.
If your general question is not addressed here, you can ask us a question.
You are required to do a FSS when the Planning Secretary (i.e. DPHI) has determined the development should not be approved, or it has been conditionally approved subject to the FSS being undertaken. The FSS must be undertaken during the preliminary design stage as outlined within the DPHI hazardous industry guidelines and HIPAPs.
If a FSS is anticipated to be required within the development consent and all relevant design documentation is prepared in accordance with Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory Paper No 2. Fire Safety Study Guidelines (HIPAP No. 2), a FSS can be submitted for review by FRNSW.
The FSS is a holistic first-principles assessment that considers fire and explosion risks beyond that addressed by the National Construction Code.
If a FSS is required for a development and subject to the satisfaction of FRNSW, the FSS must be submitted and receive satisfaction before a PBDB is developed to ensure that FRNSW recommendations can be included within any performance-based design being proposed.
Further information can be found within FRNSW position statement, Fire safety study process.
FRNSW review and provide recommendations on the content and effectiveness of these documents. Third party consultants can assist in preparation—however, this is not a service that FRNSW provides. FRNSW does provide information and resources to assist with development of these documents, including example templates.
Additional information and resources can be found at Emergency planning.