Lodge a fire safety certificate

Compliance

A fire safety certificate is a certificate stating that the fire safety measures within the building are capable of performing to the standard defined by the fire safety schedule.

The fire safety certificate is issued at the completion of building works involving any fire safety measures and is required before an occupation certificate can be issued.

There are two types of fire safety certificates:

  • A final fire safety certificate covers each essential fire safety measure specified in the fire safety schedule for the completed building.
  • An interim fire safety certificate covers each essential fire safety measure specified in the fire safety schedule for the part of the building to which the certificate relates (i.e. part occupation of a building).
Overview of service

Under section 85 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Development Certification and Fire Safety) Regulation 2021, the owner of a building is required to give FRNSW a copy of the building’s:

  • fire safety certificate as soon as possible after the certificate (final or interim) is issued, and
  • current fire safety schedule.

Note: The local council will receive a copy of the fire safety certificate when the occupation certificate has been determined by the principal certifier. The local council are the regulatory authority on this matter and may impose penalties if fire safety certificates are not issued correctly or provided in a timely manner.

A properly qualified person must inspect and verify the performance of each fire safety measure being assessed and test the operation of each new item of equipment installed within the building that is included in the current fire safety schedule.

The owner can choose which qualified person will assess each fire safety measure, who is typically a representative of the fire protection company engaged to install that system/measure. For more information, visit Selecting a competent fire safety practitioner.

The fire safety certificate is to be produced by a properly qualified person using the Fire Safety Certificate form which is available from NSW Planning website.

Note: For information on using this form please contact NSW Planning, Industry and Environment, Building Code Advisory Service on (02) 9274 6529. Alternatively, you can contact your local council who are the regulatory authority.

The building owner is required to ensure a copy of the fire safety certificate (final or interim) and current fire safety schedule are prominently displayed in the building. For more information, visit Fact sheet for building owners on new fire safety requirements.

Charges for service

There is no charge applicable.

Lodgement process

To lodge a fire safety certificate, the following must be emailed to firesafety@fire.nsw.gov.au:

  1. Fire safety certificate
  2. Current fire safety schedule

Note:  Please include "fire safety certificate and statement" and the premises street address in the subject line.