> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.riskbase.uk/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.riskbase.uk/fire-strategy/what-is-fire-strategy.md). # What is Fire Strategy? A Fire Strategy is a written document that sets out how a building achieves an acceptable standard of fire safety. It describes the protective measures in place — means of warning and escape, internal and external fire spread protection, facilities for the fire service — and explains how those measures perform against a recognised benchmark such as [Approved Document B (ADB)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b), [BS 9991](https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/fire-safety-in-the-design-management-and-use-of-residential-buildings-code-of-practice-2), [BS 9999](https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/fire-safety-in-the-design-management-and-use-of-buildings-code-of-practice), or CP3 (a withdrawn British Standard code of practice). A Fire Strategy is distinct from a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA). An FRA is an operational assessment of hazards and the actions required to reduce them. A Fire Strategy is the underlying design rationale: why the building's fire safety provisions are configured the way they are, where they meet the benchmark, where they fall short, and how any shortfalls are justified or mitigated. *** ## Who reads a Fire Strategy * [**Responsible persons**](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents) **and building owners** rely on it to understand what fire safety provisions exist and what the ongoing obligations are. * **Fire engineers** use it as the technical basis for design changes, refurbishments, and alterations. * **Approving authorities** — Building Control and the Fire and Rescue Service — review it during plans approval, regulatory inspections, and incident investigations. * **Regulators under the** [**Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA)**](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/30/contents) — most directly the [Building Safety Regulator (BSR)](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/building-safety-regulator) for higher-risk buildings — expect a current Fire Strategy as part of the [safety case](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/907/contents/made) for in-scope buildings. *** ## When a Fire Strategy is required A Fire Strategy is required, or strongly expected, in a number of circumstances: * For higher-risk buildings under the BSA, where the safety case must demonstrate how fire risks are being managed. * During the design and approval of new buildings, where Building Control needs evidence that the design meets the [Building Regulations 2010](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/contents) and the relevant benchmark. * During refurbishment, change of use, or material alteration of an existing building. * Following major incidents or regulatory action, where an updated strategy is needed to capture remediation. Beyond legal triggers, a current Fire Strategy is increasingly regarded as part of competent ongoing fire safety management for any complex or multi-occupancy building. *** ## What a Fire Strategy contains At a minimum, a Fire Strategy describes: * **The building** — purpose group, height, layout, occupancy, and key structural and protection features. * **The benchmark applied** — the edition of ADB, BS 9991, BS 9999, CP3, or other guidance the strategy is measured against. * **The provisions in each area of fire safety** — means of warning and escape, internal fire spread (linings and structure), external fire spread, access for the fire service. * **A narrative professional judgement** — for each area, whether the building meets the benchmark and, if not, how the shortfall is justified or mitigated. * **Remedial actions** — where shortfalls cannot be justified, the actions required to bring the building up to standard. A strategy is most useful when it is current, structured, and tied to the underlying building data, so that it can be reused across subsequent assessments rather than re-described from scratch each time. *** ## Related documents A Fire Strategy sits alongside several other fire safety documents that share the same underlying building information: * **Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs)** — operational risk assessments under the [Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents). * **Door surveys, compartmentation surveys, and asset inspections** — focused condition assessments for specific protection measures. * **Action plans and remedial tracking** — the ongoing management view of all open fire safety actions across a building. For RiskBase's specific approach to producing Fire Strategies, see [*The RiskBase Fire Strategy*](/fire-strategy/the-riskbase-fire-strategy.md). For step-by-step instructions on completing one in the RiskBase app, see [*How To: Completing a Fire Strategy*](/fire-strategy/produce-a-fire-strategy.md). *** ## Legislation and further reading * [Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents) * [Building Safety Act 2022](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/30/contents) * [Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc) (England) Regulations 2023](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/907/contents/made) (safety case duties) * [Building Safety Regulator](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/building-safety-regulator) * [Building Regulations 2010](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/contents) * [Approved Document B: Fire safety](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b) * [BS 9991: Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings](https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/fire-safety-in-the-design-management-and-use-of-residential-buildings-code-of-practice-2) (BSI) * [BS 9999: Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings](https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/fire-safety-in-the-design-management-and-use-of-buildings-code-of-practice) (BSI)