The Role of a Fire Strategy Consultant During Building Design
How a fire strategy consultant integrates into the design team, what they produce at each RIBA stage, and why early appointment matters.
19 November 20244 min readFire Safety Services
What Is a Fire Strategy Consultant?
A fire strategy consultant is a specialist fire engineer appointed to produce the fire strategy for a building project — the technical document that sets out how the building addresses fire safety across its design and operation. The role encompasses far more than report writing: an effective fire strategy consultant is an integral member of the design team, contributing from the earliest stages of design to practical completion and handover.
The title is used interchangeably with fire engineer and fire safety engineer, though fire strategy consultant more precisely describes the scope of work on most building projects — the development and documentation of the fire safety strategy, as opposed to the more technical fire modelling or structural fire engineering work that some projects require.
What Does a Fire Strategy Consultant Do?
The scope of a fire strategy consultant's work depends on the size and complexity of the project and the stage at which they are appointed. On a well-structured project with early appointment, the consultant's involvement spans the full RIBA stage sequence:
Concept fire strategy (RIBA Stage 2) — establishing the fundamental fire safety approach: evacuation strategy, escape route philosophy, compartmentation concept, sprinkler requirement, smoke control approach, and firefighting facilities. This is the most influential piece of work — the decisions made here shape the entire building.
Planning fire statement (RIBA Stage 3) — producing the fire safety statement required for higher-risk building planning applications and London Plan D12a applications. Coordinating with the planning consultant and attending pre-application meetings with the local planning authority where required.
Technical fire strategy (RIBA Stage 4) — developing the concept into a full technical fire strategy for building control or Gateway 2 submission. Specifying fire door schedules, fire stopping requirements, suppression system design basis, smoke control specifications, and firefighting facilities in sufficient detail for contractors to build from.
Construction stage support (RIBA Stage 5) — reviewing contractor shop drawings and submissions, responding to requests for information (RFIs), attending site inspections, reviewing fire stopping installations, and confirming that the building is being constructed in accordance with the fire strategy.
As-built fire strategy (RIBA Stage 6) — updating the fire strategy to reflect any changes made during construction and producing the as-built document required for Gateway 3 submission and the golden thread of building information.
A fire strategy consultant appointed at RIBA Stage 2 has the opportunity to shape the design. One appointed at Stage 4 can only document it — and may find problems that cannot be resolved without expensive redesign.
How a Fire Strategy Consultant Integrates with the Design Team
Fire safety is not a standalone discipline — it intersects with architecture, structure, MEP engineering, and planning at every stage. An effective fire strategy consultant attends design team meetings, reviews evolving design information, and flags fire safety implications before they become entrenched in the design. They coordinate with the MEP engineer on fire alarm and suppression systems, with the structural engineer on fire resistance specifications, and with the architect on escape routes, fire door positions, and compartmentation.
On Gateway 2 projects, the fire strategy consultant also coordinates directly with the Building Safety Regulator, responding to BSR queries, attending pre-application meetings, and supporting the principal designer in their building regulations compliance duties.
Choosing a Fire Strategy Consultant
For higher-risk buildings, always verify that the lead consultant holds Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and has relevant experience of the building type. Check IFE or IMechE membership, confirm that professional indemnity insurance is in place, and ask for examples of similar completed projects. The Building Safety Regulator will scrutinise the competence of the fire engineer responsible for the fire strategy at Gateway 2.
Fire Safety Services is a chartered independent fire engineering consultancy providing fire strategy services across London and the UK. All fire strategies are produced by or under the direct supervision of chartered engineers with extensive experience of higher-risk residential, commercial and mixed-use developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a fire strategy consultant be appointed?
Ideally at RIBA Stage 2 — concept design. This allows the consultant to shape the fundamental fire safety strategy before design decisions become entrenched. Appointment at Stage 3 is still valuable. Appointment at Stage 4 or later significantly reduces the consultant's ability to influence the design.
What qualifications should a fire strategy consultant have?
For higher-risk buildings, the lead consultant should hold Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and professional membership of the IFE or IMechE. For other projects, relevant experience and appropriate professional indemnity insurance are the minimum requirements.
Does a fire strategy consultant attend site?
On well-managed projects, yes. Site visits at key stages — particularly to review fire stopping installations and fire door fitting — are important quality assurance measures. Site attendance requirements should be agreed at appointment.
What is included in a fire strategy consultant's fee?
A typical fee covers concept fire strategy, planning fire statement (where required), technical fire strategy for building control or Gateway 2, construction stage support (RFI responses and site visits as agreed), and the as-built fire strategy. Additional services such as fire modelling, evacuation modelling, and peer review are typically priced separately.
How long does a fire strategy take to produce?
A concept fire strategy at Stage 2 can typically be produced within two to three weeks of appointment. A full technical fire strategy for Gateway 2 typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of the project and the quality of the design information provided.
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