What Is a Fire Strategy Report?

A fire strategy report is a technical document produced by a chartered fire engineer that sets out how a building addresses fire safety across its design and operation. It covers means of escape, fire compartmentation, structural fire protection, fire detection, suppression systems, smoke control, and firefighting facilities. It is the primary submission document for planning authorities, building control bodies and the Building Safety Regulator.

The report is not a form or a checklist. It is a substantive engineering document that demonstrates, through analysis and reference to applicable codes and standards, that a building provides an acceptable level of life safety in the event of a fire.

What Does a Fire Strategy Report Cover?

• Means of escape — escape route widths, travel distances, protected corridors and staircase configurations
• Fire compartmentation — compartment sizes, fire-rated construction specifications and fire stopping
• Structural fire protection — fire resistance periods for columns, beams, floors and walls
• Fire detection and warning — type and coverage of fire detection and alarm systems
• Suppression systems — whether sprinklers are required and the design basis
• Smoke control — protection of escape routes and firefighting support
• Firefighting facilities — rising mains, firefighting shafts and fire service vehicle access

When Is a Fire Strategy Report Required?

A fire strategy report is required for new build projects submitted for building control approval, refurbishment projects that affect means of escape or compartmentation, change of use applications, planning applications for higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022, Gateway 2 submissions to the Building Safety Regulator, and retrospective reports for existing buildings being registered with the BSR.

Who Produces a Fire Strategy Report?

A fire strategy report must be produced by a competent fire engineer. For higher-risk buildings, the Building Safety Regulator expects reports to be produced by or under the direct supervision of a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with professional membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

How Long Does It Take?

Most fire strategy reports are delivered within 7 to 14 working days of receiving drawings and a project brief. Complex or phased projects may take longer. Fire Safety Services provides fixed-fee proposals and confirms timescales at the point of instruction.