A fire strategy report is not simply a good idea—it is the foundational document that demonstrates how a building meets its legal requirements. It provides the evidence needed to satisfy the scrutiny of Building Control and enforcement authorities.
The Building Regulations & Approved Document B
The first and most direct link is to the Building Regulations 2010. These regulations set the minimum health and safety standards for the design and construction of buildings. Approved Document B (Fire Safety) is the government guidance document that outlines how to meet these requirements.
A fire strategy report is the primary tool used to show that a building design aligns with the principles and guidance within Approved Document B. This is especially true for buildings that are complex, high-rise, or use a non-standard design, where a prescriptive, “one-size-fits-all” approach is insufficient. Without a detailed report, a project cannot get approval from Building Control.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO)
Once a building is completed and occupied, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO). This crucial legislation places the responsibility for fire safety squarely on the “responsible person” (e.g., the building owner, manager, or employer).
The FSO requires the responsible person to carry out a “suitable and sufficient” Fire Risk Assessment. A professionally prepared fire strategy report is the single most important document for informing this assessment. It details the fire safety design of the building, allowing the risk assessor to understand the existing safety measures and focus on the ongoing management and operational risks. Without the initial report, the Fire Risk Assessment becomes an exercise in guesswork, and the responsible person cannot confidently meet their legal duties.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 & The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, new legislation was introduced to clarify and expand the scope of the FSO, particularly for multi-occupied residential buildings. A fire strategy report is now more important than ever in demonstrating compliance with these changes.
The Fire Safety Act 2021: This act clarifies that the responsible person’s duties under the FSO now explicitly include a building’s structure, external walls (including cladding, balconies, and insulation), and flat entrance doors. This means that a fire strategy report must now detail the fire performance of these elements, providing a critical “golden thread” of information that links the design to ongoing compliance.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: These regulations place specific, detailed requirements on responsible persons for high-rise and multi-occupied residential buildings. The information contained within a fire strategy report directly supports compliance with these new duties, including:
Providing building and floor plans to the fire and rescue service.
Detailing the design and materials of a building’s external walls.
Providing clear instructions and wayfinding signage for residents and firefighters.
A robust report provides the necessary information to comply with these detailed legal requirements, ensuring that duty holders are not left scrambling to gather information after the fact.
