Do I Need Fire Safety Drawings for a Commercial CDC?

In most cases, yes.

If you are lodging a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) for a commercial premises in New South Wales, fire safety drawings are usually required to confirm compliance with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

These drawings help private certifiers assess whether your fit-out or upgrade meets essential safety requirements.

At Town Planning Sydney, we prepare and coordinate fire safety drawings so your CDC application passes assessment the first time.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. What are fire safety drawings?

Fire safety drawings show the location and specification of essential fire safety measures.

This includes sprinklers, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, exit signs, emergency lighting and fire exits.

2. They are mandatory for most commercial CDCs

Whether you are fitting out a retail shop, office, restaurant or warehouse, fire safety drawings are almost always required.

Private certifiers use them to verify compliance with relevant fire safety performance standards under the BCA.

3. They protect occupant safety and support approval

Accurate fire safety drawings ensure that your building will be safe for staff, customers and visitors.

They also give your certifier confidence to issue CDC approval without delays.

4. Fire exits and evacuation paths must be clear

Your drawings should show all exits, paths of travel, distances to exits and clear widths.

We also show door swing direction to confirm compliance with BCA egress requirements.

5. Fire equipment locations must be precise

Certifiers need exact positions for hose reels, extinguishers and hydrants.

We label each fire protection device clearly on the plans so there’s no confusion during review.

6. Include signage and lighting details

Exit signs, emergency lighting and warning systems are part of the fire safety package.

These must be shown in your drawings and matched to the electrical layout where relevant.

7. Plans should match your other CDC documentation

Your fire safety drawings must align with your floor plans, reflected ceiling plans and compliance schedules.

Inconsistencies are a common cause of CDC delays. We coordinate all documents so they tell a consistent story.

8. Planning consultants can streamline the process

Our planning consultants work with fire safety engineers to make sure your drawings comply with both NSW planning rules and technical fire safety standards.

This integrated approach helps secure fast private certifier approval.

Including fire safety drawings in your commercial CDC submission is not just about ticking a box, it’s about meeting legal obligations and ensuring building safety.

With Town Planning Sydney, you get accurate, compliant and coordinated documentation that satisfies both the certifier and the BCA.