A fire strategy is a comprehensive document that outlines a building’s approach to fire safety. It includes measures to prevent, contain, and respond to fires, ensuring the safety of occupants and compliance with legal requirements.

A fire strategy ensures that fire safety measures are integrated into a building’s design and operation. It:

• Protects lives by facilitating safe evacuation.
• Minimizes property damage.
• Assists emergency services in firefighting efforts.
• Ensures compliance with building regulations and fire safety laws.

A fire strategy should be developed:

• During the design stage of new buildings.
• When refurbishing or altering existing buildings.
• After changes in building use or occupancy.
• Following a fire risk assessment identifying significant risks.

A fire strategy typically covers:

• Evacuation routes and procedures.
• Fire detection and alarm systems.
• Passive fire protection (e.g., compartmentation, fire doors).
• Active fire protection (e.g., sprinklers, extinguishers).
• Fire service access and facilities.
• Emergency lighting and signage.
• Occupant capacity and risk profile.
• Maintenance and management responsibilities.

• Fire strategy: A proactive document outlining fire safety measures during design or refurbishment.
• Fire risk assessment: A reactive process identifying and mitigating fire risks in an existing building. Both are complementary, with the fire strategy forming the foundation for fire safety management.

• Prevention: Reducing the likelihood of fire ignition.
• Containment: Limiting the spread of fire and smoke.
• Detection: Ensuring timely identification of fire incidents.
• Escape: Providing safe evacuation routes and procedures.
• Firefighting: Supporting fire service access and operations.

Fire strategies must comply with local fire safety regulations, such as:

• UK: Approved Document B, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, BS 9999, and BS 7974.
• EU: Local building and fire safety regulations guided by EN standards. These regulations define the minimum safety standards for fire prevention, detection, containment, and evacuation.

A fire strategy includes provisions for emergency services, such as:

• Dedicated fire service access points.
• Firefighting shafts and lifts.
• Water supplies (e.g., hydrants, sprinkler systems).
• Information on compartmentation, evacuation routes, and building layout. This ensures firefighters can quickly assess and respond to emergencies while minimizing risks.

Fire engineering applies scientific principles to design customized fire strategies. It’s especially useful in complex buildings where standard prescriptive measures may not suffice. Fire engineers assess risks, simulate fire scenarios, and propose performance-based solutions, such as:

• Smoke control systems.
• Optimized evacuation routes.
• Enhanced structural fire protection.

Without a fire strategy, buildings risk:

• Non-compliance: Leading to legal penalties or restrictions.
• Increased hazards: Poor evacuation planning or fire containment.
• Insurance issues: Non-compliance may void fire insurance claims.
• Higher costs: Unplanned remediation work to address deficiencies. A fire strategy is essential for safe operations and regulatory compliance.