Fire Safety Insights & Regulatory Guides

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategies for Padel Courts and Indoor Padel Facilities

Padel is the UK fastest-growing sport, with over 1,550 courts now open. Here is what developers, operators and architects need to

17 June 2025 Read more

Fire Strategy

What Is a Fire Strategy Report and Why Does Your Building Need One?

A plain-language guide to fire strategy reports — what they cover, when they are required, and what to expect from the process.

10 June 2025 Read more

Fire Strategy

When Is a Fire Strategy Report Required Under UK Regulations?

A practical guide to the regulatory triggers for fire strategy reports under Approved Document B, BS 9991, BS 9999 and the Buildin

3 June 2025 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategy vs Fire Risk Assessment: What's the Difference?

Two different documents, two different purposes. Here's how fire strategies and fire risk assessments differ, and when each is req

27 May 2025 Read more

Fire Engineering

What Does a Fire Engineer Actually Do?

An inside look at the role of a chartered fire engineer — from pre-planning advice through to building control sign-off and BSR ga

20 May 2025 Read more

EWS1 & PAS 9980

What Is PAS 9980 and Why Was It Introduced?

PAS 9980:2022 is the British Standard for assessing external wall fire risk in existing residential buildings. Here's what it cove

13 May 2025 Read more

EWS1 & PAS 9980

PAS 9980 vs EWS1: Understanding the Difference

PAS 9980 and EWS1 are related but distinct — one is a methodology, the other is a form. Here's the difference and why both matter.

6 May 2025 Read more

EWS1 & PAS 9980

What Is an EWS1 Form?

The EWS1 form is required for many residential buildings before mortgage lenders will lend against flats. Here's what it is, who c

29 April 2025 Read more

Building Safety

Understanding the Building Safety Act 2022

The Building Safety Act 2022 is the most significant reform to building regulation in a generation. Here's what it means for devel

22 April 2025 Read more

Building Safety

Principal Accountable Person Responsibilities Explained

The principal accountable person (PAP) carries the highest level of statutory duty under the Building Safety Act. Here's what the

15 April 2025 Read more

Building Safety

What Is a Building Safety Case Report?

A building safety case report is the key document demonstrating a higher-risk building is safe to occupy. Here's what it contains

8 April 2025 Read more

Planning

What Is a Fire Safety Statement?

A fire safety statement is required for planning applications for certain buildings. This guide explains what it covers, when it's

1 April 2025 Read more

Fire Strategy

Retrospective Fire Strategy Reports Explained

Many existing buildings have no fire strategy on record. A retrospective fire strategy addresses this — here's how the process wor

25 March 2025 Read more

Building Safety

How Fire Strategies Support Building Safety Act Compliance

The Building Safety Act 2022 has fundamentally changed what is required from fire strategies for higher-risk buildings.

11 March 2025 Read more

Fire Engineering

Fire Compartmentation and Why It Matters

Fire compartmentation is the primary means of limiting fire spread in a building. Here's what it involves, how it fails, and why t

4 March 2025 Read more

Fire Strategy

Stay Put vs Simultaneous Evacuation Explained

The choice between stay put and simultaneous evacuation has profound implications for a building's fire strategy.

25 February 2025 Read more

Fire Engineering

Understanding Means of Escape Requirements

Means of escape is the most fundamental fire safety requirement for any building. Here's how it works under UK regulations.

18 February 2025 Read more

Fire Strategy

Why Fire Safety Must Be Considered Early in Design

Leaving fire safety to the end of the design process is one of the most expensive mistakes a developer can make.

11 February 2025 Read more

Fire Strategy

Why Early Fire Strategy Input Saves Time and Money

The cost of resolving fire strategy issues at planning or building control stage is a fraction of the cost of addressing them mid-

4 February 2025 Read more

Building Safety

Fire Safety Responsibilities of Managing Agents

Managing agents have significant fire safety duties under the RRO 2005 and the Building Safety Act 2022. Here's what the role requ

28 January 2025 Read more

Building Safety

Fire Safety Responsibilities of Freeholders

Freeholders of residential buildings carry statutory fire safety duties. Here's what the law requires of freeholders and how to me

21 January 2025 Read more

Fire Engineering

Fire Safety Engineering: Performance-Based Design Approaches

Performance-based fire engineering allows architects and developers to achieve innovative designs that prescriptive codes can't ac

14 January 2025 Read more

Planning

Planning Fire Statements Explained

Planning fire statements are required for a growing range of development types. Here's everything you need to know about what they

7 January 2025 Read more

EWS1 & PAS 9980

FRAEW: Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls Explained

A FRAEW is the technical assessment underpinning an EWS1 certificate. Here's what it involves, who can carry it out, and what the

31 December 2024 Read more

Building Safety

Building Safety Cases Explained: A Guide for Developers and Building Owners

The building safety case is the central requirement of the Building Safety Act for higher-risk buildings. Here's what it involves

24 December 2024 Read more

Building Safety

Lessons Learned from the Grenfell Tower Fire

The Grenfell Tower fire fundamentally changed UK building safety. Here's what the Inquiry found, what has changed, and what remain

17 December 2024 Read more

Innovation

How AI Could Transform Fire Safety Consultancy

Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape fire safety — from automated fire modelling to AI-assisted compliance checking. He

10 December 2024 Read more

Building Safety

Fire Engineering Profession Reform: What the New UK Regulations Mean for You

Following the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations, the UK government has announced reforms to the fire engineering profession

3 December 2024 Read more

Building Safety

The Biggest Fire Safety Challenges Facing Developers Today

From BSR gateway delays to cladding remediation and competence shortages — here are the fire safety challenges costing developers

26 November 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

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 ma

19 November 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings

Higher-risk buildings over 18 metres require a more detailed fire strategy. Here's what's involved under BS 9991 and the Building

12 November 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategies for Mixed-Use Buildings

Mixed-use developments combine residential, commercial and sometimes leisure — each with different fire safety requirements.

5 November 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

How Fire Strategies Help Achieve Building Control Approval

What building control bodies look for in a fire strategy report, common reasons for rejection, and how to get it right first time.

29 October 2024 Read more

EWS1 & PAS 9980

Who Needs a PAS 9980 Assessment?

Not every residential building needs a PAS 9980 assessment. This guide helps building owners, managing agents and freeholders unde

22 October 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

What Happens When a Building Has No Fire Strategy?

Missing or inadequate fire strategies cause project delays, planning refusals and building control rejections.

15 October 2024 Read more

Building Safety

The Growing Importance of Building Safety Competence

Competence — not just qualifications — is now the watchword of UK building safety.

8 October 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

What the Property Industry Gets Wrong About Fire Safety

The most common fire safety misconceptions in the property industry — and why they matter.

1 October 2024 Read more

Fire Engineering

Fire Safety Documentation Required for New Developments

New developments require a growing body of fire safety documentation at planning, building control and BSR gateway stages.

24 September 2024 Read more

Fire Engineering

How Fire Engineering Saves Projects from Costly Redesigns

Late-stage fire safety issues are one of the leading causes of design changes and programme delays.

17 September 2024 Read more

Fire Engineering

Balancing Architectural Vision with Fire Safety Compliance

Great architecture and fire safety compliance are not mutually exclusive. Here's how performance-based fire engineering enables de

10 September 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategies for Office Buildings

Office buildings have specific fire safety requirements under BS 9999 and Approved Document B. Here's what a fire strategy for an

3 September 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategies for Care Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Care homes present unique fire safety challenges. This guide covers fire strategy requirements for care homes and assisted living

27 August 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategies for Hotels and Hospitality Buildings

Hotels present unique fire safety challenges: sleeping occupants, untrained staff, and complex mixed use.

20 August 2024 Read more

Building Safety

The Future of Building Fire Safety in the UK

From BSR reform to AI-assisted fire engineering — here's how building fire safety in the UK is evolving.

13 August 2024 Read more

Fire Engineering

Building Control Fire Engineer Reports Explained

Building control bodies require a fire engineer's report for many projects. Here's what it covers, who produces it and how it diff

6 August 2024 Read more

Building Safety

How the Building Safety Regulator Impacts Building Owners

The Building Safety Regulator is now the decision-maker for higher-risk buildings. Here's what this means for registration, gatewa

30 July 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Common Mistakes Found in Fire Strategy Reports

The most frequent errors chartered fire engineers find when reviewing fire strategy reports — and how to avoid them.

23 July 2024 Read more

Fire Engineering

Common Building Control Fire Safety Issues

The most frequently raised fire safety issues by building control bodies — and how to address them before submission.

16 July 2024 Read more

Planning

How Fire Safety Statements Support Building Control Approval

A well-prepared fire safety statement can smooth the path to building control approval. Here's what building control bodies look f

9 July 2024 Read more

Planning

Fire Safety Statements for Gateway 2 Applications

Gateway 2 is the BSR's pre-construction check for higher-risk buildings. Here's what fire safety documentation is required and how

2 July 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategy Reports for Existing Buildings

Existing buildings undergoing refurbishment, change of use or BSR registration often need a fire strategy. Here's what is required

25 June 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategies for Schools and Educational Buildings

Schools require fire strategies that account for large numbers of young people, complex campuses, and specific educational guidanc

18 June 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategies for Student Accommodation

Purpose-built student accommodation has specific fire safety characteristics — high density, young occupants, and complex means of

11 June 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

Fire Strategy Requirements for Residential Developments

Everything developers and architects need to know about fire strategies for residential buildings — from conversions to large BTR

4 June 2024 Read more

Fire Strategy

How Often Should a Fire Strategy Be Reviewed?

A fire strategy is not a one-off document. Here's when it needs to be reviewed, updated or rewritten — and what triggers a review.

28 May 2024 Read more

Fire Engineering

Fire Strategy Design Considerations for Complex Buildings

Atria, underground spaces, tall buildings and mixed occupancies all require performance-based fire engineering approaches.

21 May 2024 Read more

EWS1 & PAS 9980

PAS 9980 Explained for Building Owners

If you own or manage a residential building with external cladding, you may need a PAS 9980 assessment. This guide explains what t

14 May 2024 Read more

Fire Engineering

Preparing for Building Control Fire Safety Reviews

A practical guide to preparing for building control fire safety reviews — what to submit, what to expect, and how to respond to qu

7 May 2024 Read more

Fire Engineering

Smoke Ventilation Systems Explained

Smoke ventilation systems protect escape routes and support firefighting. Here's how they work, when they're required, and what th

30 April 2024 Read more

Planning

When Is a Fire Safety Statement Required?

Gateway 1, London Plan D12a and local authority requirements all trigger fire safety statements. Here's when your planning applica

23 April 2024 Read more

Fire Safety Insights & Guides

Fire Safety Insights & Guides

Fire Strategies for Padel Courts and Indoor Padel Facilities

What Is a Fire Strategy Report and Why Does Your Building Need One?

When Is a Fire Strategy Report Required Under UK Regulations?

Fire Strategy vs Fire Risk Assessment: What's the Difference?

What Does a Fire Engineer Actually Do?

What Is PAS 9980 and Why Was It Introduced?

PAS 9980 vs EWS1: Understanding the Difference

What Is an EWS1 Form?

Understanding the Building Safety Act 2022

Principal Accountable Person Responsibilities Explained

What Is a Building Safety Case Report?

What Is a Fire Safety Statement?

Retrospective Fire Strategy Reports Explained

How Fire Strategies Support Building Safety Act Compliance

Fire Compartmentation and Why It Matters

Stay Put vs Simultaneous Evacuation Explained

Understanding Means of Escape Requirements

Why Fire Safety Must Be Considered Early in Design

Why Early Fire Strategy Input Saves Time and Money

Fire Safety Responsibilities of Managing Agents

Fire Safety Responsibilities of Freeholders

Fire Safety Engineering: Performance-Based Design Approaches

Planning Fire Statements Explained

FRAEW: Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls Explained

Building Safety Cases Explained: A Guide for Developers and Building Owners

Lessons Learned from the Grenfell Tower Fire

How AI Could Transform Fire Safety Consultancy

Fire Engineering Profession Reform: What the New UK Regulations Mean for You

The Biggest Fire Safety Challenges Facing Developers Today

The Role of a Fire Strategy Consultant During Building Design

Fire Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings

Fire Strategies for Mixed-Use Buildings

How Fire Strategies Help Achieve Building Control Approval

Who Needs a PAS 9980 Assessment?

What Happens When a Building Has No Fire Strategy?

The Growing Importance of Building Safety Competence

What the Property Industry Gets Wrong About Fire Safety

Fire Safety Documentation Required for New Developments

How Fire Engineering Saves Projects from Costly Redesigns

Balancing Architectural Vision with Fire Safety Compliance

Fire Strategies for Office Buildings

Fire Strategies for Care Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Fire Strategies for Hotels and Hospitality Buildings

The Future of Building Fire Safety in the UK

Building Control Fire Engineer Reports Explained

How the Building Safety Regulator Impacts Building Owners

Common Mistakes Found in Fire Strategy Reports

Common Building Control Fire Safety Issues

How Fire Safety Statements Support Building Control Approval

Fire Safety Statements for Gateway 2 Applications

Fire Strategy Reports for Existing Buildings

Fire Strategies for Schools and Educational Buildings

Fire Strategies for Student Accommodation

Fire Strategy Requirements for Residential Developments

How Often Should a Fire Strategy Be Reviewed?

Fire Strategy Design Considerations for Complex Buildings

PAS 9980 Explained for Building Owners

Preparing for Building Control Fire Safety Reviews

Smoke Ventilation Systems Explained

When Is a Fire Safety Statement Required?

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