A fire strategy report sets out how a building is designed, constructed, and managed to achieve an appropriate level of fire safety. It explains how people will be protected in the event of a fire, how fire spread is controlled, and how the building complies with fire safety legislation and guidance.
Fire strategy reports are commonly required for new buildings, refurbishments, change of use, complex premises, and higher-risk buildings, and are frequently requested by building control, fire and rescue authorities, designers, landlords, and managing agents.
At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we produce clear, robust fire strategy reports prepared by competent fire safety professionals, tailored to your building and its use.
Contents
- 1 What Is a Fire Strategy Report?
- 2 When Is a Fire Strategy Required?
- 3 Typical Buildings That Require a Fire Strategy Report
- 4 Why a Fire Strategy Is Important
- 5 What Does a Fire Strategy Report Cover?
- 6
- 7 Retrospective Fire Strategy Reports
- 8 Fire Strategy Reports vs Fire Risk Assessments
- 9 Conclusion
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Fire Strategy Reports
- 10.1 Are fire strategy reports a legal requirement?
- 10.2 What is the purpose of a fire strategy report?
- 10.3 When is a fire strategy report required?
- 10.4 What does a fire strategy report cover?
- 10.5 Who can prepare a fire strategy report?
- 10.6 Is a fire strategy report the same as a fire risk assessment?
- 10.7 What is a retrospective fire strategy report?
- 10.8 Will a fire strategy report be reviewed by authorities?
- 10.9 How often does a fire strategy need to be updated?
What Is a Fire Strategy Report?
A fire strategy report is a technical document that describes the overall fire safety approach for a building. Fire strategy reports help demonstrate compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which places duties on Responsible Persons to take general fire precautions to protect relevant persons. It explains how fire risks are addressed through:
- Building layout and design
- Means of escape and evacuation strategy
- Fire compartmentation and fire resistance
- Fire detection, alarm and warning systems
- Smoke control and fire spread limitations
- Firefighting facilities and access for fire services
Unlike a fire risk assessment, which evaluates an occupied building, a fire strategy focuses on how fire safety is achieved through design and management, often at planning, construction, or alteration stages.
Fire strategy reports are typically developed in accordance with Approved Document B (Fire Safety), relevant British Standards, and accepted fire engineering principles.
When Is a Fire Strategy Required?
You may need a fire strategy report if your building involves:
- New build developments
- Building extensions or major alterations
- Change of use (e.g. office to residential)
- Complex layouts or large occupancy levels
- Residential buildings, including blocks of flats
- Buildings subject to building control or fire authority scrutiny
- Retrospective validation where no fire strategy exists
Fire strategies are commonly required to support compliance with the Building Regulations, particularly where buildings are new, altered, extended, or subject to change of use.
Fire strategies are often requested to support building regulation approval, planning conditions, or enforcement queries.
Typical Buildings That Require a Fire Strategy Report
Fire strategy reports are commonly prepared for a wide range of building types where fire safety needs to be addressed through design, layout, and management. These include:
- Residential buildings, including blocks of flats and higher-risk residential buildings
- Mixed-use developments, such as residential above commercial premises
- Office buildings and commercial premises
- Retail units and shopping centres
- Hotels and serviced accommodation
- Care homes, supported living and healthcare buildings
- Educational buildings, including schools and universities
- Industrial and warehouse premises
- Leisure buildings, such as cinemas, gyms and places of assembly
In many cases, a fire strategy report is required to support new developments, building alterations, change of use, or to provide retrospective clarification of how fire safety is achieved within an existing building.
Why a Fire Strategy Is Important
A fire strategy provides clarity and assurance that fire safety has been properly considered. It helps:
- Demonstrate compliance with fire safety legislation
- Support building control approval
- Reduce risk to occupants and visitors
- Provide a clear evacuation philosophy
- Avoid costly redesign or enforcement action
- Create a documented reference for future management
Local fire and rescue authorities and building control bodies may review fire strategy reports as part of their assessment process.
What Does a Fire Strategy Report Cover?
A typical fire strategy report will include:
Means of Escape and Evacuation Strategy
- Escape routes, exits, travel distances and capacities
- Evacuation philosophy (simultaneous, phased, stay-put where applicable)
- Assembly arrangements
Fire Detection, Alarm and Warning Systems
- Alarm system category and coverage
- Manual call points and audible/visual warnings
Fire Compartmentation and Fire Resistance
- Fire-resisting walls, floors and doors
- Compartment boundaries and protection of escape routes
Fire Spread and External Fire Safety
- Internal fire spread control
- External wall considerations and separation distances
Firefighting Facilities
- Firefighting shafts, risers and access
- Facilities for fire and rescue service intervention
Emergency Lighting and Signage
- Emergency lighting coverage
- Fire exit signage and wayfinding
Management and Maintenance Assumptions
- Fire safety management responsibilities
- Assumptions relied upon for ongoing compliance
Retrospective Fire Strategy Reports
In some cases, buildings operate without a documented fire strategy or rely on outdated information. We can prepare retrospective fire strategy reports to:
- Clarify how fire safety is currently achieved
- Identify gaps or inconsistencies
- Support enforcement discussions
- Provide a defensible technical position
How We Can Help
Our fire strategy reports are prepared by competent fire safety professionals with experience across commercial, residential, and mixed-use buildings. We work closely with clients, designers, managing agents and authorities to produce reports that are:
- Clear and practical
- Proportionate to the building
- Technically robust
- Suitable for submission to regulators
We also provide ongoing support to help interpret findings and implement recommendations.
Fire Strategy Reports vs Fire Risk Assessments
A fire strategy report is not the same as a fire risk assessment.
- Fire Strategy Report: Design-focused, explains how fire safety is achieved
- Fire Risk Assessment: Occupancy-focused, evaluates ongoing fire risk
Fire risk assessments are carried out in line with official fire risk assessment guidance and focus on the ongoing management of fire risk in occupied buildings.
Both play an important role and are often used together to demonstrate comprehensive fire safety management.
Conclusion
Fire strategy reports are a critical part of modern fire safety compliance, particularly for complex, altered, or higher-risk buildings. A well-prepared fire strategy provides clarity, supports regulatory approval, and helps protect lives and property.
If you require a new or retrospective fire strategy report, our experienced team can help.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fire Strategy Reports
Are fire strategy reports a legal requirement?
A fire strategy report is not explicitly named as a legal requirement in fire safety legislation. However, it is often required in practice to demonstrate compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Building Regulations, particularly for new buildings, refurbishments, changes of use, or complex premises.
What is the purpose of a fire strategy report?
The purpose of a fire strategy report is to explain how fire safety is achieved within a building. It sets out the design and management principles that control fire spread, protect occupants, support evacuation, and allow safe intervention by the fire and rescue service.
When is a fire strategy report required?
A fire strategy report may be required for:
- New build developments
- Building extensions or major alterations
- Change of use projects
- Complex or high-occupancy buildings
- Residential buildings, including blocks of flats
- Retrospective validation where no strategy exists
They are commonly requested by building control bodies, designers, landlords, and managing agents.
What does a fire strategy report cover?
A fire strategy report typically covers:
- Means of escape and evacuation strategy
- Fire detection, alarm and warning systems
- Fire compartmentation and fire resistance
- Control of internal and external fire spread
- Emergency lighting and fire safety signage
- Firefighting facilities and fire service access
- Fire safety management assumptions
Who can prepare a fire strategy report?
Fire strategy reports should be prepared by a competent fire safety professional, such as a fire engineer or suitably experienced fire safety consultant, with knowledge of building design, fire behaviour, and relevant guidance.
Is a fire strategy report the same as a fire risk assessment?
No. A fire strategy report is design-focused and explains how fire safety is achieved within a building. A fire risk assessment is occupancy-focused and evaluates ongoing fire risk once the building is in use. Both are important and often used together.
What is a retrospective fire strategy report?
A retrospective fire strategy report is produced for an existing building where no formal fire strategy exists, or where documentation is missing or outdated. It helps clarify how fire safety is currently achieved and can support enforcement discussions or building alterations.
Fire strategy reports may be reviewed by building control bodies or fire and rescue authorities as part of approval, consultation, or enforcement processes. They help demonstrate that fire safety has been properly considered.
How often does a fire strategy need to be updated?
A fire strategy should be reviewed when:
- The building layout or use changes
- Significant alterations are proposed
- Occupancy characteristics change
- Fire safety guidance or standards are updated
