Fire Strategy Services

Expert Fire Strategy Consultancy for Complex Buildings and Regulatory Compliance

At Anstey Horne, we provide specialist Fire Strategy consultancy services for developers, asset owners, architects, contractors, housing providers, and commercial occupiers across the UK. Our consultants deliver practical, compliant, and commercially focused fire safety solutions for new developments, refurbishment projects, change of use schemes, and existing occupied buildings.

If you are searching for expert Fire consultants in the UK, our multidisciplinary team helps you achieve regulatory approval, reduce project risk, and protect life safety while supporting design efficiency and operational performance.

What Is a Fire Strategy?

A Fire Strategy is a comprehensive document that explains how fire safety has been integrated into the design, construction, occupation, and management of a building. It demonstrates compliance with UK Building Regulations, relevant British Standards, and fire safety legislation.

A Strategy typically addresses:

• Means of escape
• Fire compartmentation
• Structural fire protection
• Smoke control systems
• Fire detection and alarm systems
• Emergency evacuation procedures
• Firefighting access and facilities
• Occupant risk profiles
• Passive and active fire protection measures
• Compliance with Approved Document B
• Interaction with the Building Safety Act and Gateway processes

A professionally prepared Fire Strategy is essential for planning, design development, building control approval, occupation, and ongoing building management.

Why Fire Strategies Matters

The regulatory environment for fire safety in the UK has changed significantly following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022.

A robust Fire Strategy helps you:

• Demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations
• Satisfy Building Control and Fire Authority requirements
• Support Gateway submissions for Higher-Risk Buildings
• Reduce delays during planning and construction
• Improve occupant safety
• Minimise costly redesigns
• Protect asset value and insurability
• Support long-term building management

Poorly prepared Fire Strategies can lead to approval delays, enforcement action, increased construction costs, and reputational risk.

Our Services

At Anstey Horne, we provide Fire consultancy services tailored to each building type, occupancy profile, and project stage.

Fire Strategy Reports

We prepare detailed reports for:

• Residential developments
• Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs)
• Commercial offices
• Mixed-use schemes
• Hotels
• Student accommodation
• Healthcare facilities
• Industrial buildings
• Retail developments
• Heritage and listed buildings
• Education facilities
• Build-to-Rent developments

Our Fire Strategy reports are prepared in line with:

• Approved Document B
• BS 9991
• BS 9999
• Building Safety Act requirements
• Relevant British Standards
• Local authority and regulator expectations

Fire Strategies for Planning Applications

We support planning applications where fire statements or fire safety strategies are required, particularly for:

• London Plan Policy D12 compliance
• Tall buildings
• Complex mixed-use developments
• High-density residential schemes

Our consultants work closely with planning teams, architects, and design consultants to ensure fire safety considerations are integrated from the earliest design stages.

Fire Strategies for Building Regulations Compliance

We develop Building Regulations compliant Fire Strategies that support approval through:

• Building Control
• Approved Inspectors
• The Building Safety Regulator
• Fire and Rescue Authorities

We coordinate with project stakeholders to resolve technical fire engineering challenges efficiently and pragmatically.

Fire Strategies for Existing Buildings

Existing buildings often require updated Fire Strategies due to refurbishment, regulatory changes, occupancy changes, or other safety concerns.

We provide:

• Existing building strategy reviews
• Gap analysis assessments
• Fire compartmentation reviews
• Remedial works strategies
• Fire safety improvement plans
• Regulatory compliance reviews
• Fire risk assessment support

Our team helps building owners understand existing risks and develop achievable compliance solutions.

Higher-Risk Building Fire Strategy Consultants

The Building Safety Act has introduced stricter requirements for Higher-Risk Buildings in England. Our specialist consultants support clients through:

• Gateway 2 submissions
• Gateway 3 submissions
• Golden Thread documentation
• Building Safety Case support
• Resident safety information
• Design compliance reviews
• Fire and emergency file coordination

We understand the technical and regulatory complexity associated with HRBs and provide practical support throughout the building lifecycle.

Passive Fire Protection and Fire Compartmentation

An effective Fire Strategy depends heavily on passive fire protection performance. Our consultants assess and advise on:

• Fire compartmentation
• Fire stopping
• Structural fire resistance
• Cavity barriers
• Penetration sealing
• Fire doors
• Smoke barriers

We work alongside contractors and design teams to ensure fire protection measures are coordinated correctly during construction and refurbishment.

Fire Engineering Support

Where prescriptive guidance is insufficient or unsuitable, we provide performance-based fire engineering support, including:

• Means of escape analysis
• Smoke modelling
• Occupant evacuation analysis
• Firefighting access assessments
• Travel distance assessments
• Alternative solution strategies

Our approach balances compliance, safety, and commercial practicality.

Why Choose Anstey Horne for Fire Strategy Consultancy?

Clients choose Anstey Horne because we combine technical excellence with practical delivery experience across complex projects throughout the UK.

Specialist Expertise

Our specialist Fire consultants understand the evolving UK regulatory landscape and provide technically robust advice aligned with current legislation and best practice.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

As part of a wider built environment consultancy, we collaborate seamlessly with architects, project managers, façade consultants, access specialists, acoustic consultants, and sustainability teams.

Commercially Focused Advice

We understand that fire safety decisions affect programme, cost, buildability, and operational performance. Our advice supports safe and commercially viable outcomes.

Experience Across Complex Sectors

We support clients on some of the UK’s most technically challenging projects, including high-rise residential, mixed-use regeneration, heritage buildings, and complex refurbishments.

Fire Strategy Process

Our Fire Strategy consultancy process typically includes:

1. Initial project review and regulatory assessment
2. Design team coordination
3. Fire safety design analysis
4. Development of Fire Strategy documentation
5. Consultation with authorities and regulators
6. Ongoing design support during construction
7. Final compliance review and handover support

FAQs

Who needs a Fire Strategy?

Developers, building owners, architects, housing associations, commercial landlords, contractors, and duty holders may all require a Fire Strategy depending on the project type and regulatory requirements.

When should Fire Strategies be prepared?

A Fire Strategy should be developed at the earliest design stages to avoid costly redesigns and approval delays later in the project.

Is a Fire Strategy a legal requirement?

Many projects require a Fire Strategy to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations and fire safety legislation. Higher-Risk Buildings are subject to additional statutory requirements under the Building Safety Act.

What is included in a Fire Strategy report?

A Fire Strategy report explains the building’s fire safety philosophy, evacuation strategy, fire protection systems, compliance pathway, and management requirements.

UK Fire Strategy Consultants

Anstey Horne provides Fire consultancy services across:

• London
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Leeds
• Bristol
• Cambridge
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Cardiff
• Nationwide UK projects

Contact

If you require expert Fire advice for a new development, existing building, Higher-Risk Building, or refurbishment project, contact Anstey Horne to speak with our specialist team.

We help clients deliver compliant, safe, and commercially successful buildings through clear, practical, and technically robust Fire Strategies.

For more information please call 020 4534 3130.

If you would rather we called you instead, please fill in our Contact form and we will be in touch.

For more information on all aspects of this service see the collection of articles in our blog.