Fire Strategies and Safety Planning

Fire Strategies and Fire Safety Planning

A fire strategy sets out how fire safety is designed into a building and managed throughout its lifecycle. It provides a structured approach to achieving compliance with fire safety legislation and Building Regulations.

What Is a Fire Strategy?

A fire strategy is a document that defines how a building is intended to perform in the event of a fire, setting out the fire safety measures required to protect occupants and property.

It considers key aspects such as building layout, use, occupancy, means of escape, fire detection and alarm systems, compartmentation, structural fire protection, and smoke control.

Fire strategies are typically developed in line with Approved Document B of the Building Regulations and relevant guidance to demonstrate compliance at design stage.

Why Is It Important?

A clear fire strategy ensures that all fire safety measures are coordinated and work together as a complete system.

It helps to:

• Demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations
• Support Building Control approval
• Ensure safe evacuation of occupants
• Guide design, construction, and future management
• Provide clarity for duty holders and responsible persons

Our practical passive fire protection experience helps connect the strategy with real building conditions, including fire doors, compartmentation lines, service penetrations, risers, escape routes and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Without a defined strategy, fire safety measures may be inconsistent, incomplete, or non-compliant.

What’s Included?

• Site-specific fire strategy reports
• Assessment of building layout and use
• Means of escape and evacuation planning
• Compartmentation and structural fire protection
• Fire detection and alarm systems overview
• Compliance with fire safety regulations
• Clear documentation for design and approvals
• Review of fire doors, compartmentation and passive fire protection requirements where relevant

When Is a Fire Strategy Required?

Fire strategies are typically required for:

• New build developments
• Building refurbishments or change of use
• Complex or multi-occupancy buildings
• Projects requiring Building Control approval

They are often requested by Building Control, design teams, or fire authorities as part of the approval process.

Ongoing Use and Responsibility

Once a building is occupied, the fire strategy should be retained and followed as part of the building’s fire safety management.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, responsible persons must ensure that fire safety measures identified in the strategy are maintained and managed effectively.

Practical Strategy Support for Existing Buildings

In existing buildings, the fire strategy must be understood alongside real site conditions. Fire doors, compartmentation, service penetrations and passive fire protection measures should align with the intended fire safety design and be maintained as part of ongoing management.

Need a Fire Strategy?

If you are planning a development, refurbishment, or require a fire strategy for compliance, we can prepare a clear and practical strategy aligned with current regulations and project requirements.