Safety Case Report Fire Safety Evidence | HRB Compliance Guide

A safety case report is one of the key documents for occupied higher-risk residential buildings in England. It should explain the building safety risks and show how those risks are being managed. For many building owners, housing associations, managing agents and principal accountable persons, the challenge is gathering the fire safety evidence needed to support that report.

The strongest reports are supported by clear, current records rather than assumptions. Where fire safety evidence is missing, unclear or out of date, the gap should be identified and addressed as part of the wider building safety management process.

This guide focuses on the fire safety side of safety case reporting. It explains what evidence may be relevant, how it links to the golden thread, and where professional fire safety support may be needed.

Quick Answer: What Fire Safety Evidence Supports a Safety Case Report?

Fire safety evidence for a safety case report may include the fire risk assessment, fire strategy information, FRAEW or external wall evidence, fire door inspection records, compartmentation surveys, alarm and emergency lighting records, smoke control and firefighting equipment records, emergency plans, resident information, action plans and evidence that remedial work has been completed.

What Is a Safety Case Report?

A safety case report sets out the building safety risks of a high-rise residential building and explains how those risks are being managed. GOV.UK guidance describes building safety risks as the risk of the spread of fire or smoke in the building and the risk of structural failure.

For buildings within the higher-risk building regime, the principal accountable person should prepare and update the safety case report. It must be provided to the Building Safety Regulator when requested, including when the regulator tells the principal accountable person to apply for a building assessment certificate.

The safety case report is not simply a folder of certificates. It should present a clear, evidence-backed explanation of how risks are understood, controlled, monitored and reviewed.

Why Fire Safety Evidence Matters

Fire safety risks in higher-risk buildings are rarely controlled by one measure alone. The safety of the building depends on how different systems and management arrangements work together.

For example, a safety case report may need to explain:

How the building is designed to resist fire and smoke spread.
What evacuation strategy applies and why it remains suitable.
How fire doors, compartmentation and external walls are managed.
How fire alarm, emergency lighting, smoke control and firefighting systems are maintained.
How residents are informed about fire safety arrangements.
How defects, significant findings and remedial actions are tracked.

Without clear evidence, it becomes difficult to show that fire safety risks are being managed in a structured and proportionate way.

Need Fire Safety Evidence for a Safety Case Report?

Fire Risk Assessment Network can help building owners, accountable persons, housing associations and managing agents arrange the fire safety assessments and inspections needed to support stronger safety case evidence.

Services can include fire risk assessments, FRAEW support, fire door inspections, compartmentation surveys, fire safety plans, emergency planning and compliance evidence reviews.

Safety Case Report Fire Safety Evidence Checklist

The exact evidence required depends on the building, its construction, fire strategy, known risks, previous works and management arrangements. The table below sets out common fire safety evidence areas that may support a safety case report.

Evidence area	Examples of records	How it supports the safety case
Fire risk assessment	Current fire risk assessment, review history, significant findings and action plan.	Shows how fire hazards, people at risk, escape routes, fire precautions and management arrangements have been assessed.
Fire strategy	Original fire strategy, retrospective fire strategy, evacuation strategy and design assumptions.	Explains how the building is intended to perform in a fire and which systems the strategy depends on.
External walls	FRAEW, PAS 9980 appraisal where relevant, cladding information, balcony information and remediation evidence.	Supports understanding of external fire spread risk and any required mitigation or remediation.
Fire doors	Fire door inspection reports, Regulation 10 check records, flat entrance door records, repair records and certification evidence.	Shows how compartmentation and escape route protection are maintained.
Compartmentation	Compartmentation surveys, fire stopping records, cavity barrier evidence and remedial works evidence.	Helps demonstrate how fire and smoke spread is controlled within the building.
Fire alarm and detection	Design information, service records, weekly tests, cause and effect information and defect logs.	Shows whether warning arrangements are suitable, maintained and understood.
Emergency lighting	Monthly checks, annual test certificates, defect logs and remedial evidence.	Supports escape route safety if normal lighting fails.
Smoke control and firefighting facilities	Smoke control records, dry riser tests, firefighting lift records, vent records and other firefighting equipment checks.	Supports fire and rescue service operations and emergency response arrangements.
Emergency planning	Emergency plan, evacuation strategy, resident instructions, PEEPs where relevant and arrangements for vulnerable occupants.	Shows how people are expected to respond during a fire and how evacuation arrangements are managed.
Plans and building information	Floor plans, firefighting plans, secure information box contents, wayfinding information and responsible person contacts.	Helps explain the building and supports emergency response, resident information and regulatory review.
Action close-out	Photos, invoices, certificates, contractor sign-off, updated action logs and review records.	Shows that significant findings have been addressed rather than left unresolved.

Fire Risk Assessment Evidence

The fire risk assessment is a core source of evidence for the safety case report. It should be current, suitable and sufficient for the building. It should also connect with other evidence rather than sit apart from it.

For example, if the fire risk assessment refers to defective fire doors, external wall concerns, missing records or unclear evacuation arrangements, the safety case evidence should show how those issues are being investigated, controlled or closed out.

FRAEW and External Wall Evidence

External wall evidence can be a major part of safety case reporting for higher-risk residential buildings. Where external wall systems, balconies, attachments or cladding may affect fire spread, the principal accountable person may need clear evidence of what has been assessed and what actions are needed.

A Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls, often called a FRAEW, may be used to assess external wall fire risk in line with PAS 9980 where appropriate. The findings should be reflected in the wider risk management record, including the fire risk assessment, action plan, resident information and safety case evidence.

Fire Door and Compartmentation Evidence

Fire doors and compartmentation are central to fire and smoke control in many residential buildings. Evidence should show not only that doors or compartments exist, but that they are suitable, inspected, maintained and repaired where needed.

Useful evidence may include fire door inspection reports, routine check records, certification information, installation evidence, repair records, compartmentation surveys, fire stopping records and evidence that defects have been corrected.

Emergency Plan and Resident Information

GOV.UK safety case report guidance includes emergency plan information as one of the areas to cover. For fire safety, this means the safety case evidence should explain the evacuation strategy and how residents are informed about what to do.

Relevant records may include resident fire safety information, evacuation strategy documents, stay put or simultaneous evacuation reviews, PEEPs where applicable, fire door information, building safety complaints processes and resident engagement records.

Fire Safety Plans and Secure Information Boxes

Plans and building information help explain the building to duty holders, contractors and emergency responders. In some higher-rise residential buildings in England, secure information box duties apply under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.

Useful evidence may include building plans, floor layouts, firefighting facilities information, secure information box records, responsible person contact details, wayfinding signage checks and updates where building information changes.

How the Safety Case Links to the Golden Thread

The safety case report should be supported by the wider golden thread of building safety information. The golden thread is the organised record of information that helps duty holders understand the building, manage risks and keep information available throughout the building’s lifecycle.

For fire safety, the golden thread may include risk assessments, plans, surveys, inspection records, design information, maintenance records, resident information, remediation evidence and action close-out records.

Related guide: golden thread fire safety information.

What If Information Is Missing?

Missing information is common, especially in older buildings or buildings that have changed ownership, managing agent, contractor or use. Missing evidence should not be ignored. The safety case report should identify gaps and explain what steps have been taken to find or replace missing information.

Practical steps may include:

Requesting documents from previous managing agents, owners, contractors or consultants.
Reviewing handover files, O&M manuals, fire strategy documents and historic plans.
Commissioning updated inspections or surveys where evidence cannot be verified.
Recording uncertainty and prioritising further investigation where risk is significant.
Updating the action plan as evidence is found or new findings are identified.

When Should Fire Safety Evidence Be Reviewed?

Safety case evidence should be kept under review. Fire safety evidence may need to be updated after:

A new or reviewed fire risk assessment.
A FRAEW or external wall appraisal.
Fire door inspections or significant repair programmes.
Compartmentation or fire stopping surveys.
Building works, refurbishment or changes in use.
Changes to evacuation strategy or resident information.
Incidents, near misses, resident complaints or enforcement comments.
Changes in responsible person, accountable person, managing agent or contractor.

Need Help Building the Fire Safety Evidence Record?

If you are preparing or reviewing safety case evidence, Fire Risk Assessment Network can help arrange the fire safety services needed to support a clearer compliance record.

We can help with fire risk assessments, FRAEW support, fire door inspections, compartmentation surveys, fire safety drawing plans, emergency planning and related fire safety reviews.

Related Building Types and Services

This topic is especially relevant to high-risk residential buildings, high-rise buildings, blocks of flats, housing associations, mixed-use buildings and apartment buildings.

External Sources and Further Reading

The following official guidance is useful when checking safety case report and higher-risk building duties:

Conclusion

A safety case report needs clear evidence to explain how building safety risks are being managed. For fire safety, that evidence may include fire risk assessments, FRAEW, fire door inspections, compartmentation surveys, fire safety plans, maintenance records, emergency arrangements, resident information and action close-out evidence.

The strongest safety case evidence is current, organised and connected. It should show not only what has been assessed, but what has been done, what remains outstanding and how fire safety will continue to be managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fire safety evidence should be included in a safety case report?

Fire safety evidence may include the fire risk assessment, fire strategy, FRAEW or external wall evidence, fire door inspection records, compartmentation evidence, alarm and emergency lighting records, emergency plan information, resident information and action close-out evidence.

Does a safety case report need a fire risk assessment?

The safety case report should be supported by building safety risk assessment evidence. A current and suitable fire risk assessment is usually a key document for showing how fire safety risks are being identified, managed and reviewed.

How does FRAEW evidence support a safety case report?

FRAEW evidence helps explain external wall fire risk where relevant. Its findings can support the fire risk assessment, safety case evidence, resident information, remediation planning and ongoing risk management.

Are fire door inspections relevant to safety case reporting?

Yes. Fire door inspections can provide important evidence that compartmentation and escape route protection are being managed. Records should show findings, repairs, certification evidence where available and close-out of defects.

What happens if safety case fire safety evidence is missing?

Missing evidence should be identified and investigated. The principal accountable person may need to request historic records, commission further inspections, update plans or record why information cannot be found and what action is being taken.

How often should safety case fire safety evidence be updated?

Evidence should be reviewed when the building, risks or management arrangements change. Updates may be needed after fire risk assessment reviews, inspections, remediation works, incidents, resident concerns, enforcement comments or changes in responsible parties.

Can Fire Risk Assessment Network help with safety case fire safety evidence?

Yes. Fire Risk Assessment Network can help arrange fire risk assessments, FRAEW support, fire door inspections, compartmentation surveys, fire safety plans and related services that support safety case fire safety evidence.

Last updated August 2026

Safety Case Report Fire Safety Evidence: What Should Be Included?