Fire safety system report

Amendments to the Fire and Rescue NSW Regulation 2023, including changes to fee structure and prices, come into effect from 1 February 2026. Under these regulations, an upfront assessment fee must be paid prior to submitting a fire safety application or request.

To facilitate the processing of the assessment fee ahead of the application, and not cause delay to your application timeframes, please commence the payment process four working days before the application is to be lodged. Applications may be lodged after the assessment fee has been paid in full.

Visit Pay upfront fee for further information.

Pre-Occupancy

A fire safety system report (FSSR) is a written report specifying whether the Commissioner of FRNSW is satisfied the relevant fire safety system is capable of performing to at least the standard in the current fire safety schedule for the building.

Where FRNSW are not satisfied, FRNSW will provide recommendations for modification of the system.

An FSSR must be requested in relation to development that involved installing, extending or modifying a relevant fire safety system in a Class 2 or 3 building.

Overview of service

Under section 51 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021 (EP&A(DCFS) Reg.), a certifier is required to request a fire safety system report (FSSR) for building work in a Class 2 or Class 3 building that involved installing, extending, or modifying any of the following:

  • a fire hydrant system
  • a mechanical ducted smoke control system.
  • a fire hose reel system
  • a sprinkler system (including a wall-wetting sprinkler or drencher system)
  • any type of automatic fire suppression system of a hydraulic nature
  • a fire detection and alarm system

Note: This applies irrespective of planning pathway, building size, application of performance solution, or location of building work (whether within Class 2 or Class 3 parts of the building or not).

On receipt of the completed application, FRNSW will assess the application. Where an FSSR is being provided, FRNSW will contact the certifier to arrange and conduct an inspection and provide the FSSR within 10 business days.

Note: The certifier must not issue an occupation certificate (OC) until the FSSR has been given and considered, or the FSSR has not been given after 10 business days.

  1. OC application received
  2. Business day 0
    Request
  3. Business days 1-9
    Inspection
  4. Business day 10
    FSSR provided
  5. After
    Consider, then implement or revise
Charges for service

The following charges apply to the provision of this service:

  • Assessment of application for an FSSR — $1,000
  • Provision of an FSSR, including two hours of travel time — $2,429

For a full description of the charges applicable including terms, payment options, and applying for a waiver or reduction of the charges, please refer to the fees and charges page.

Application process

From Monday 2 February, all applications and requests submitted to Fire Safety require the prescribed assessment fee to be paid in advance.

To facilitate the processing of the assessment fee ahead of the application, and not cause delay to your application timeframes, please commence the payment process four (4) working days before the application is to be lodged.

To request an assessment fee invoice prior to submission—regardless of whether you have an existing FRNSW SAP customer number—visit Pay upfront fee. Payment instructions will be provided with the issued invoice.

The ‘Agreement’ section of the form requires you to enter the payee’s SAP customer number and assessment fee receipt number.

Applications and requests will only be processed once these details have been provided and the assessment fee has been paid in full.

Note: Where an application for OC also requires a final fire safety report under section 50 of the EP&A(DCFS) Reg., please refer to final fire safety system report instead and use the FFSR application to request both reports concurrently. If separate applications are made, two reports with associated legislated timeframes and applicable charges may result.

Note: Fire safety systems are expected to be tested and commissioned, and fire safety certificate issued, prior to the application for OC being made and the FSSR being requested.

To apply for an FSSR, the following must be completed and submitted to firesafety@fire.nsw.gov.au:

  1. Fire safety system report application form
  2. A copy of the application for OC (date endorsed and detailing the proposed area to be occupied)
  3. A copy of the development consent or complying development certificate
  4. A copy of any relevant construction certificate
  5. A copy of any relevant compliance certificate
  6. A copy of the fire safety certificate and current fire safety schedule
  7. A copy of the performance solution report applying to the relevant fire safety system, including where any relevant fire safety system includes a performance solution to which Part 3 Division 3 does not apply.

Note: The application must include all relevant information. If any attachment exceeds 35 MB, please request a FRNSW SharePoint folder for uploading any large files.

Useful information

Guidance materials

The following guidance materials apply to the FSSR process:

  • Technical information sheet - Fire safety system report process (currently under review)

Note: The applicant should refer to all FRNSW position statements and determine how they may apply to the content of any FSSR.

Further information on process