Fire safety
Some fire safety measures and related works can be done as complying development if they meet Fire Safety Code standards
The Fire Safety Code allows three categories of development to be carried out as complying development:
- the installation or extension of a fire sprinkler system in a residential aged care facility
- the alteration to a hydraulic fire safety system
- fire alarm communication links works.
Refer to the State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 for a full list of development standards that apply to fire safety as complying development.
Combustible cladding
Laws in response to the fire safety risks posed by external combustible cladding were introduced in 2018. These regulations require that owners register certain buildings with external combustible cladding with the NSW Government through the Cladding Registration Portal. New buildings must be registered within four months of being occupied.
Building types
Building types
The Regulation applies to the following building types (both new and existing buildings) of two or more storeys:
- Residential apartment buildings
- Other types of residential buildings where unrelated people sleep. For example, hotels, boarding houses, backpackers, student accommodation
- Aged-care buildings; hospitals and day surgeries (and any associated single dwellings within the building)
- Public assembly buildings. For example, theatres, cinemas, schools and churches (and any associated single dwellings within the building).
Cladding types
Cladding types
The Regulation applies if any of the above buildings have external combustible cladding made of the following materials:
- metal composite panels, including products that consist of aluminium, zinc, or copper outer layers and a core material; or
- insulated cladding systems including systems comprised of polystyrene, polyurethane, and polyisocyanurate.
There are also new provisions in the Regulation that require referral of certain 'alternative solutions' (under the Building Code of Australia) involving external combustible cladding to Fire and Rescue NSW.
Relevant legislation
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Identification of Buildings with Combustible Cladding) Regulation 2018
- State Environmental Planning Policy Amendment (Exempt Development – Cladding and Decorative Work) 2018.
How to register your building
- Visit the Cladding Registration Portal
- Read the Registering your building checklist
- Read the Cladding Registration FAQs on the NSW Government site