What is a Fire Strategy?

A fire strategy is a complex document specifically tailored to a building, which reviews all aspects of the building’s fire safety features. This includes evaluating its construction, compartmentation strategy, means of escape, and the management arrangements required to ensure the building is fit for its intended use.

At its core, a fire strategy acts as a “golden thread” of fire safety information that is integrated from the initial design phase and continues through the ongoing management of the building. It coordinates inputs from architects, structural engineers, and other specialists into a coherent, whole-building solution designed to prevent fires, control fire and smoke spread, and enable safe evacuation and effective emergency response.

When is a Fire Strategy Required?

A fire strategy is generally required when a building is erected, extended, or has undergone a material change of use. Under Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations, a package of fire safety information must be assembled and given to the responsible person of the premises, and a fire strategy is the most common way to collate and provide this mandatory information.

Furthermore, following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, there is a compelling case for making it a statutory requirement that a fire safety strategy (produced by a registered fire engineer) be submitted to obtain building control approval for the construction or refurbishment of any higher-risk building.

What Should a Fire Strategy Include?

A comprehensive fire strategy plan should describe the building’s structure, its various fire protection systems, and how they work together to keep occupants safe. Specifically, a fire strategy document should include:

• Means of Warning: An analysis of the fire detection and alarm systems required, including whether the premises must be linked to an alarm receiving centre and how the alarms interface with other safety systems (e.g., releasing fire doors or triggering ventilation).
• Means of Escape: An evaluation of travel distances and escape routes to ensure they are suitable for all persons at risk. This includes provisions for emergency lighting, signs, and specialised plans for vulnerable people or those with mobility needs.
• Internal Fire Spread & Passive Fire Protection: Details on the level of internal protection required along escape routes, including fire doors, compartmentation limits, and specific requirements for surface linings to minimise flame spread.
• External Fire Spread: An analysis of the potential for fire to spread externally via the roof, cladding, or the transfer of heat to adjacent buildings.
• Access & Facilities for the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS): Ensuring the building satisfies local fire authority regulations by providing external vehicle access, hydrants, rising fire mains, and firefighting lifts.
• Fire Safety Management: Details on the adopted evacuation strategy (such as a ‘Stay Put’ policy* or simultaneous evacuation), staff training, maintenance of internal systems, and planned preventative maintenance schedules.
• Other Factors: The inclusion of compensatory active systems, such as sprinklers or smoke control ventilation, especially in buildings with extended travel distances or significant life risk.

What is a Retrospective Fire Strategy, and When Do You Need One?

A retrospective fire strategy is a fire safety strategy developed for an existing building.

You need a retrospective fire strategy when a building lacks its original fire safety information, which is sadly common. More enlightened building owners now commission these retrospective strategies to address this dangerous lack of information, largely driven by the recommendations made in the post-Grenfell Hackitt Review. It is important to note that retrospective fire strategies primarily prioritise life safety over property protection and business continuity.

Who is considered a competent person to create a strategy?

A fire safety strategy should only be developed by a competent person with comprehensive training and experience, preferably an accredited fire risk assessor or a fire engineer. The specific qualifications required will depend on the complexity of the building and the design approach being used:

• Standard Buildings: For the vast majority of premises that use a relatively simple, prescriptive approach to meet Building Regulations, a competent fire risk assessor or consultant is typically qualified to advise and develop the strategy.
• Complex Buildings: If a building has specific design needs that require a fully engineered approach, you should seek the services of a chartered fire engineer.
• Higher-Risk Buildings: Following the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, there is a strong push to make it a statutory requirement for a registered fire engineer to produce the fire safety strategies for the construction or refurbishment of any higher-risk building.

Regardless of the building type or whether the strategy is being created for a new build or retrospectively for an existing building, the client is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the person they hire can clearly demonstrate their experience and competency