Top Questions to Ask Before Approving a Fire Strategy Report

Approving a fire strategy report without reviewing it properly can lead to serious consequences, non-compliance, delays in approvals, failed inspections, or worse, putting lives at risk. Yet many developers, property managers, and contractors sign off fire strategies without fully understanding what’s in them or what to look out for.

Whether you’re reviewing a fire strategy report for a new build, refurbishment, or an existing building, this guide gives you the top questions to ask before approving it—so you can protect your project, your occupants, and your legal responsibilities.

A fire strategy is not just a formality. It’s a technical document that outlines how a building complies with fire safety legislation. If it’s incomplete, outdated, or incorrect, it can:

• Delay Building Control approval
• Result in non-compliance with the Building Safety Act
• Invalidate insurance policies
• Trigger enforcement by fire authorities
• Expose building owners or managers to legal liability

The fire strategy needs to be more than just a document—it must be clear, accurate, site-specific, and based on current legislation.

Always start by checking who wrote the report. A fire strategy should be prepared by a competent, accredited professional—not a general architect, contractor, or developer.

✅ Ask:

• Is the author a chartered engineer or member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE)?
• Do they hold relevant qualifications in fire safety or engineering?
• Is their consultancy insured for professional indemnity?

If the report is unsigned or generic, it’s a red flag.

Fire safety legislation changes frequently. A valid fire strategy must reference and apply the most up-to-date standards, including:

• Building Regulations 2010 (Approved Document B)
• BS 9991 (residential) or BS 9999 (commercial)
• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
• Building Safety Act 2022 (where applicable)

✅ Ask:

• Which standards and codes are referenced?
• Are the assumptions based on current law or outdated guidance?

Fire strategies must be specific to the actual layout and use of the building. If the design has changed since the report was created, or the property has undergone refurbishment, the strategy may no longer be valid.

✅ Ask:

• Is the fire strategy based on the latest architectural plans?
• Has the building’s use or structure changed since the report was written?

If the strategy and building do not align, it needs updating.

Evacuation is a critical component of any fire strategy. The report should clearly explain the chosen evacuation strategy and justify why it’s suitable.

Common strategies include:

• Simultaneous evacuation
• Phased evacuation
• Stay-put (typically for residential buildings)
• Progressive horizontal evacuation (used in care homes and hospitals)

✅ Ask:

• What evacuation strategy is recommended?
• Is it supported by the layout, alarm system, and compartmentation design?

The report should explain how occupants escape in the event of a fire, including the number and type of exits, travel distances, widths of escape routes, and staircore design.

✅ Ask:

• Are travel distances within acceptable limits (e.g. under 18m in dead ends)?
• Are escape routes fire-protected and clearly marked on drawings?
• Is there a plan for disabled evacuation (e.g. refuge points or evacuation lifts)?

In mixed-use buildings or multi-occupancy properties, fire separation between units is essential to stop fire spread.

✅ Ask:

• Are residential and commercial units appropriately compartmentalised?
• Are floor and wall fire ratings clearly specified (e.g. 60 mins, 90 mins)?
• Are services like ducts and risers fire-stopped?

This is especially important in HMOs, flats above shops, and commercial buildings.

Access for fire and rescue services must meet national guidance. Your strategy should address:

• Access roads and turning areas
• Firefighting shafts and risers
• External hydrants or dry riser inlets
• Fire control panels and locations

✅ Ask:

• Can fire appliances access the building within 45m of entry points?
• Are firefighting facilities designed in line with the height and size of the building?

Smoke is a major killer in fires. The fire strategy must explain how smoke will be controlled and removed in lobbies, stairwells, and corridors.

✅ Ask:

• Are smoke vents mechanical or natural?
• Are stairwells protected by pressurisation systems?
• Do all systems meet BS EN 12101 standards?

A written fire strategy must be supported by architectural or fire-specific plans showing:

• Escape routes
• Fire compartments
• Alarm zones
• Smoke control devices
• Firefighting access routes

✅ Ask:

• Do the drawings match the written strategy?
• Are they clearly labelled, to scale, and up to date?

Some strategies include deviations from standard guidance (e.g. longer escape distances, omitted fire doors) and rely on performance-based justifications.

✅ Ask:

• Are there any design deviations from Approved Document B?
• Has a fire engineering justification been provided for those deviations?
• Are any additional control measures in place?

This is particularly relevant for innovative or non-standard building designs.

For higher-risk residential buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022, the fire strategy must form part of the Golden Thread, a maintained digital record of safety information throughout the building’s lifecycle.

✅ Ask:

• Is this strategy structured to be easily reviewed, updated, and stored digitally?
• Will it support future fire risk assessments, safety case reports, or resident communication?

If you’re unsure about any of the above, it’s best to get a professional review before approving the strategy. At Fire Safety Services, we offer:

• Fire strategy audits and peer reviews
• Independent second opinions for developers or managing agents
• Retrospective fire strategy updates
• Liaison with Building Control and fire authorities

With over 30 years of experience, we help ensure every fire strategy is clear, compliant, and suitable for your building and risk profile.

📧 Email: hello@fire-safety-services.co.uk
📞 Call 020 3797 3053 for expert support

Approving the wrong fire strategy can be costly. Let us help you get it right.