What Is a Retrospective Fire Strategy?

A retrospective fire strategy report — sometimes called a retrospective fire strategy or existing building fire strategy — is a fire strategy produced for a building that is already built or occupied. It is produced in circumstances where a fire strategy was not produced at the time of construction, where the original fire strategy has been lost, or where the building has undergone changes that have made the original fire strategy obsolete.

Why Are Retrospective Fire Strategies Required?

There are several common triggers for retrospective fire strategies:

• BSR Registration: Existing higher-risk buildings registered with the Building Safety Regulator must demonstrate compliance with fire safety requirements. Many have no fire strategy on record, requiring a retrospective report
• Building Safety Case: The building safety case for an occupied higher-risk building must include a fire and structural safety assessment. Where no fire strategy exists, a retrospective report forms the basis of this assessment
• Change of Use or Refurbishment: Where an existing building is being refurbished or converted to a different use, a fire strategy is required to address the fire safety implications of the change
• Building Control Requirement: Some local authorities and approved inspectors require a fire strategy for major refurbishment works even where one was not required at original construction
• Insurance Requirement: Some insurers now require fire strategies for buildings above a certain height or complexity

How Does a Retrospective Fire Strategy Differ From a New Build Fire Strategy?

A retrospective fire strategy works from the building as it exists — not from design drawings. The fire engineer must inspect the building, gather as-built information, review any available original design documentation, and assess how the existing building addresses fire safety requirements. Where the building does not meet current standards, the retrospective fire strategy identifies the gaps and recommends remedial measures.

This is more complex than producing a fire strategy for a new build, because the engineer must work with what exists rather than designing from scratch. Identifying materials, confirming compartmentation integrity, assessing evacuation routes — all of this requires careful inspection and investigation.

What Does a Retrospective Fire Strategy Contain?

• Description of the building as existing — layout, construction, occupancy
• Assessment of means of escape — existing routes, travel distances, protected areas
• Assessment of fire compartmentation — existing compartments, fire resistance periods, identified weaknesses
• Review of existing fire safety systems — detection, alarm, suppression, smoke control
• Assessment of firefighting access and facilities
• Identification of gaps between existing provision and current standards
• Schedule of recommended remedial works