What is a Fire Strategy Plan?

This guide will help you understand what a fire strategy plan is and why it is important to have one for your premises. A fire strategy plan is a complex document produced by a competent person with comprehensive training and experience, preferably an accredited fire risk assessor or fire engineer.

The completed document will outline in detail, all the measures and procedures which must be implemented to prevent the cause and spread of a fire. These measures and procedures have fire safety at the heart of every decision and take into consideration many factors, including means of warning and escape, how the fire will spread internally and externally, and access for the Fire & Rescue Services. This document serves as the foundation for a fire risk assessment and all other decisions and process surrounding fire safety.

Key components to a fire strategy plan

The list of components that make up a fire strategy plan cover every detail in regards to fire safety. A competent fire risk assessor or fire engineer will look into every detail of a building, its potential purpose and the individuals that will be using the premises with fire safety in mind.

A qualified fire engineer will cover these components in detail within the plan;

• Means of warning

  • Looking at the fire detection system as a whole including sensors and activation points. This includes if there is a direct link to the local Fire & Rescue Services without the requirement to call 999, and if the site is left unoccupied such as overnight.

• Means of escape

  • Ensuring that travel distances to any final exit is as short as possible and takes you to an ultimate place of safety. As well as being sufficient for all persons at risk.

• Internal fire spread, including all passive fire protection

  • Built into the construction of the premises, passive fire includes aspects of the building that assists in stalling the spread of fire throughout the property including fire doors, intumescent material around penetrations and joints in its construction.

• External fire spread

  • Looking at the external construction of your building, including aspects such as cladding, how it could spread across a rooftop, as well as how a fire could breakout and spread / transfer to / from a neighbouring property.

• Access and facilities for the Fire & Rescue Services

  • A look into how emergency vehicles can gain access, and if there is any access to nearby fire hydrants. As well as looking at a potential requirement for rising fire mains, access points, and firefighting lifts.

• Fire safety management systems, including evacuation plan for the building and fire safety training for staff

  • Ensuring that the evacuation strategy is appropriate and that all aspects of fire safety training is up to date, including being implemented by on-site employees. This includes maintenance and testing of early warning systems, fire door checks, and arranged planned preventative maintenance.

• Other factors, such as sprinklers / suppression systems, smoke control and ventilation systems

  • Implementation of systems if increased risk is presented and apparent, including but not limited to extended travel distances, limited means of escape, and significant life risks.

Prior to construction of a new building, all these considerations will have been taken into account during the planning / architectural phase and the sourcing of the building materials. This helps to ensure that all fire detection and sizing of escape routes is adequate and appropriate for the number of people who are intended to use the premises after construction.

Why should I have a fire strategy plan?

Having a plan of this type is important because it forms the basis of a strategy that informs all other assessments. Whilst it is not a direct legal requirement to have a fire strategy it can be fundamental in supporting on-going fire risk assessing which is a legal requirement. Fire Risk Assessments, which should be done as part of RRFSO at least annually, should use the fire strategy plan as the foundation to all of their recommendations. Should the purpose of the building or layout change, or if a new staff member starts who may have an impairment, this must be reflected in both parts of documentation in regards to all aspects of fire safety. This can be achieved by a review of the fire strategy plan and fire risk assessment, to show that all fire safety measures are taken into consideration and updated as appropriate.

Is a fire strategy plan only for new buildings?

Having a fire strategy in place is a beneficial step towards ensuring that you are safeguarding your building and its occupants. Safelincs provide a comprehensive fire strategy plan service. A qualified and competent engineer will assess your premises, considering all the aspects detailed in this guide. Find out more by contacting our knowledgeable team, either through email or by our freephone number 0800 612 6537.