How Long Does a Fire Engineering Performance Solution Take?
Direct answer: A straightforward, single-issue performance solution for a residential project (Class 1a or 10) is typically prepared within 2–3 business days of receiving full site information and drawings. More complex or multi-issue commercial performance solutions, particularly those requiring fire modelling or fire authority consultation, usually take one to several weeks, driven mainly by the complexity of the analysis and how quickly other parties (certifier, fire authority) respond, not by the drafting itself.
The Two Timeframes That Matter
There are actually two separate clocks running on any performance solution, and it’s worth understanding both, because they get confused constantly:
1. How long it takes the fire engineer to prepare the report, once they have everything they need.
2. How long it takes to get the report through your certifier (and, where relevant, the fire authority) to a final approved position.
The first is usually fast. The second is the one that actually determines your project timeline, and it’s mostly outside the fire engineer’s direct control.
Typical Preparation Timeframes
For a single, clearly defined issue, a boundary setback, a carport clearance, a sprinkler omission on a small project, a fixed-fee performance solution report can typically be turned around in 2–3 business days from the point all the information (site details, drawings, the specific DTS clause in question) is provided.
Multi-issue or commercial performance solutions take longer to prepare, generally because there’s more to analyse, not because the process itself is slower: – Multiple performance issues on one project usually add days, not weeks, to drafting time, but genuinely complex issues (egress modelling, alternative sprinkler design) can add one to two weeks of analysis time. – Quantitative fire or smoke modelling (FDS/CFAST) is the single biggest time driver; model setup, simulation run-time, and results interpretation can add one to three weeks depending on the geometry and scenarios required.
What Actually Slows a Project Down
In our experience, delays rarely come from the fire engineering report itself. They come from:
Incomplete information at the start. If drawings are still being finalised, or the exact scope of non-compliance hasn’t been pinned down, the engineer can’t start the clock – every day spent clarifying scope is a day added to the timeline.
Certifier review cycles. Once submitted, a certifier needs to review and either accept the performance solution or request clarification. This can be same-day for a straightforward, well-documented issue or take one to two weeks if the certifier has queries or a backlog.
Fire authority consultation. Where a project requires formal consultation with the fire authority (more common on larger or higher-risk buildings), this step is entirely governed by that authority’s own process and response times, which a fire engineer cannot accelerate.
Late-stage design changes. If the building design changes after the performance solution is issued, the report often needs to be revisited, which resets part of the clock.
How to Keep Your Project on Schedule
The single most effective thing a builder, developer, or PM can do to protect their timeline is get the fire engineer involved early, ideally at concept or DA stage, not after working drawings are locked in and a certifier has already flagged an issue. Identifying the performance solution requirement early means: – It’s scoped and quoted before it’s on the critical path. – Drawings can be provided in near-final form, avoiding rework. – Any fire authority consultation can be initiated in parallel with other approvals rather than sequentially after them.
What to Send to Get the Fastest Turnaround
To hit the fastest end of the timeframe, provide upfront: current architectural drawings (even if not final), the site address and building classification, and a clear statement of which DTS provision(s) can’t be met. The more complete this package is on day one, the more the 2–3 business day timeframe becomes realistic rather than aspirational.
The Bottom Line
For most residential and straightforward commercial matters, drafting is fast, the real driver of your project timeline is how early the issue is identified and how responsive the review chain (certifier, fire authority) is. A fire engineer who quotes a fast turnaround on the report itself is only solving half the equation; the other half is getting them involved at the right point in your program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the fastest a performance solution can be turned around?
For a single, well-defined issue on a residential project with complete information provided upfront, 2–3 business days is typical.
Why do commercial performance solutions take longer?
Usually because they involve more performance issues, more stakeholders, and sometimes quantitative fire or smoke modelling, which adds real analysis time rather than administrative delay.
Does the fire engineer control the certifier’s review time?
No. Once submitted, the certifier’s own review timeframe (and fire authority consultation, if required) governs how quickly the project moves to final approval.
When should I engage a fire engineer to avoid delays?
As early as possible, ideally at concept or DA stage, before working drawings are finalised and before a certifier flags the issue as a hold point.
Want a realistic timeline for your specific project? Send your drawings to admin@fyrewise.com.au or call +61 492 943 682 — Fyrewise typically turns around single-issue performance solutions within 2–3 business days.
