Performance based design brief is now mandatory to upcoming fire engineering projects. It has been stamped on the regulations since 2019 in Australia.

The purpose of a performance based design brief is that it identifies the documentation that is required for the upcoming project whereas a performance solution proposed must meet the requirements of the PBDB. We may anticipate that PBDB’s will be required when an upcoming project is going to be produced; all things needed must be prepared from the whole entire building down to a single wall. Performance Solutions provides creativity and flexibility because of its simple yet sophisticated approach.

In many ways, the goal of this newly formalized approach is nothing new. Through better record-keeping and documentation, it tries to show that there are clear expectations for a project's design, better information for end users, and a stronger auditing capability.

So if you’re going to be designing or part of building a new infrastructure whilst partaking in a Performance Solution, then you'll definitely need a PBDB.

If you’re not familiar with how to conduct a performance based design brief, there are 4 easy steps to do so.

First, prepare. In conjunction with the pertinent project participants, such as the owner, builder, architect, project manager, ESD consultant, fire engineer, or compliance specialist, the initial step is to scope out the Performance Solution. Of course, this has already been done; this step only formalises the stakeholder agreement. It summarises the project team's understanding of the essential components of the Performance Solution and how they plan to satisfy the NCC Performance Requirements.

Second, analysis - where it is determined which Performance Solution best meets the Performance Requirement.

When using mass timber and NCC requirements, it is required to have the specific fire safety standards that should be in its satisfactory state. For example, this could be qualitative, quantitative, involving more complex modelling, or even real physical testing. The results are then clarified and evaluated to see if they satisfy the pertinent Performance Requirements using the analysis of the chosen Performance Solution.

Third, evaluate. Evaluation is strongly related to analysis, which honestly focuses on evaluation. This is basically formalising a process to compile data, review against the relevant Performance Requirements, and get ready for reporting since we often analyse as we perform an analysis.

Then last but certainly not least, it’s time to report the process! Possibly self-explanatory, but nonetheless important. PBDB’s bring everything together and offer the paperwork that will be given to the consent authority. PBDB must receive the approval of all stakeholders participating in the process. Since this hasn't usually been done in the past, its significance as a requirement is probably directly related to how complicated the Performance Solution is.

Performance based design briefs can also be an important aspect when you are planning on building an infrastructure that is on a hypocentre and epicentre, so that you’ll be aware of what could be right at the land you’ll be constructing.

Therefore, performance-based design has become more popular recently to provide a foreseeable reaction of structure with the application of hazards and disasters. It should be defined precisely so that the structure's response may be predicted to lower the risk of catastrophe and losses. Because it is essential to understand the seriousness of the threat and how the structure is vulnerable to it to boost safety. That is why performance based design brief is great way to foreshadow the upcoming project you’ll be developing.