What Happens During a Fire Strategy Report Survey

For anyone involved in property management or development, commissioning a fire strategy report is a critical step in ensuring fire safety compliance. While the final report provides the blueprint for a building’s safety, the survey itself is the most crucial part of the process. Understanding the stages of a fire strategy report survey allows you to be fully prepared and ensures the process is efficient and accurate.

This guide will walk you through the complete UK fire strategy report process, from the initial preparations to the final delivery of your report, so you know exactly what to expect from a professional fire safety inspection.

Why the Fire Strategy Survey Matters

The purpose of a fire strategy survey is to gather all the necessary information to create a detailed, legally compliant fire safety plan for your building. The findings of the survey form the basis of a report that demonstrates compliance with a range of key legislation, including:

Building Regulations 2010 (Approved Document B): Ensuring the building’s design and construction meet fire safety standards.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Informing the “responsible person’s” ongoing fire risk assessment and duties.
Fire Safety Act 2021 & Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: Verifying that the building’s external walls, flat entrance doors, and other specific features meet the latest requirements, particularly for high-rise and multi-occupied residential buildings.

The UK Fire Strategy Report Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

A professional fire safety inspection is a structured process designed to be thorough and non-disruptive. Here is what happens during a typical fire strategy report survey.

Step 1: Pre-Survey Preparation and Document Review

Before the engineer even sets foot on your property, a significant amount of work takes place. This preparatory phase is essential for a smooth and efficient survey.

Review of Building Documentation: You will be asked to provide all available building information, including architectural drawings, floor plans, previous fire risk assessments, and any existing fire safety management plans.
Initial Analysis: The fire safety consultant will review these documents to understand the building’s layout, construction, and original design intent. This helps them identify key areas to focus on during the on-site inspection.
Briefing & Clarification: A brief call or meeting may take place to clarify any questions and confirm the scope of the UK fire strategy report process.

Step 2: On-Site Fire Safety Inspection

This is the most visible part of the process. An accredited fire engineer will visit your building to conduct a comprehensive walkthrough. The purpose of this visit is to verify the information in the drawings and assess the current state of the building’s fire safety measures.

The consultant will systematically check key areas, including:

Means of Escape: Assessing escape routes, emergency lighting, fire exit signage, and the width and number of exits.
Compartmentation: Inspecting fire doors (including self-closing mechanisms and seals), fire-resistant walls and floors, and checking for any breaches in compartmentation that could allow fire to spread.
Fire-Fighting Access & Facilities: Verifying access for the fire and rescue service, checking the location of fire hydrants, and inspecting any dry risers or other firefighting equipment.
External Walls: For relevant buildings, the consultant will inspect the external wall system, including cladding, balconies, and insulation, to assess its fire performance.
Fire Detection & Alarm Systems: Examining the coverage and type of smoke and heat detectors, alarm sounders, and the location of the fire control panel.

Step 3: Data Collection and Information Gathering

During the on-site visit, the consultant will be actively collecting data to inform the final report. This includes:

Taking Photographs & Measurements: Documenting key observations, defects, and compliant features.
Interviews: Speaking with the responsible person, facilities manager, or building owner to understand the building’s history, maintenance schedule, and fire safety procedures.
Review of Records: Examining maintenance records for fire safety systems (alarms, emergency lighting, etc.) to ensure they are regularly serviced and in working order.

Step 4: Analysis and Compliance Check

Following the on-site inspection, the consultant returns to their office to analyse all the collected data. They compare their findings with the relevant legal requirements and fire safety standards.

Gap Analysis: The engineer will identify any deviations from Building Regulations and best practice guidance.
Risk Assessment: They will assess the fire risk associated with any identified issues and develop a clear strategy to mitigate them.
Strategy Development: Based on the findings, the consultant will begin to draft the specific fire strategy for your building, detailing the proposed solutions and recommendations.

Step 5: Report Creation and Delivery

The final stage is the creation and delivery of the comprehensive fire strategy report. The report is not just a list of problems; it is an authoritative, technical document that provides a complete fire safety plan.

The final document will include:

A summary of the building’s fire safety status.
A clear strategy for means of escape, compartmentation, and active/passive systems.
A list of recommended remedial actions and improvements.
A due diligence pack verifying the consultant’s accreditations and credentials.

The report is then delivered to you, often with an offer of a follow-up call to discuss the findings and answer any questions you may have.

Who Carries Out a Fire Strategy Report Survey?

A fire strategy report is only as reliable as the professional who writes it. To ensure your report is authoritative and legally defensible, it must be prepared by a competent and accredited professional, such as a Chartered Fire Engineer (CEng) or a professional with accreditations from respected bodies like the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), or the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

Conclusion: A Straightforward Path to Safety and Compliance

The fire strategy report survey process is a streamlined and professional procedure designed to provide you with a clear, compliant, and actionable fire safety plan. While it involves a detailed inspection and analysis, the end result is invaluable: a document that protects your building, its occupants, and your legal standing.

By choosing a professional with the right accreditations, you can ensure your fire strategy report is an authoritative tool for achieving and maintaining full fire safety compliance.

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We only work with fully accredited fire engineers and chartered professionals who are qualified to produce robust Fire Strategy Reports. Our experts hold the highest-level accreditations—including IFE, RICS, CABE, and CEng—and have proven competency in designing and assessing complex fire safety strategies for new and existing buildings.

Every professional is fully vetted, with memberships, qualifications, and insurance verified. All reports are prepared in strict accordance with current Building Regulations and the latest fire safety legislation. We provide a due diligence pack with every quote so you can check each specialist’s credentials with confidence, ensuring your report is legally compliant and authoritative.

What Happens During a Fire Strategy Report Survey

Why the Fire Strategy Survey Matters

The UK Fire Strategy Report Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Who Carries Out a Fire Strategy Report Survey?

Conclusion: A Straightforward Path to Safety and Compliance

Start Your Fire Strategy Report Quote

Accredited Fire Engineers — Nationwide Coverage

Fully Compliant with the Building Safety Act

Trusted by Property Managers Across the UK

Fast Turnaround — No Hidden Costs

Insurance-Approved EWS1 Reports

Accredited Fire Engineers — Nationwide Coverage

Fully Compliant with the Building Safety Act

Trusted by Property Managers Across the UK

Fast Turnaround — No Hidden Costs

Insurance-Approved EWS1 Reports

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The Fire Strategy Report

Floor Plans & Fire Reports

Only Accredited Fire Engineers. No Exceptions.

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