A Fire Strategy Report is far more than a document produced to satisfy Building Control. When prepared correctly, it demonstrates how a building has been designed to achieve an appropriate standard of fire safety while balancing compliance, functionality and practicality.

At DMB Services (Staffs) Ltd, we prepare bespoke Fire Strategy Reports for residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments across the UK. Whether you're constructing a new building, converting an existing property, refurbishing a listed building or responding to Building Control comments, we provide clear, technically robust advice tailored to your project.

Every building presents different challenges. Occupancy, construction methods, travel distances, structural fire resistance, smoke control, evacuation procedures and fire safety management all influence the overall strategy. Rather than relying on generic templates, we assess how these elements work together and develop practical, risk-based solutions that are appropriate for the building and its intended use.

Our reports are professionally presented, easy to follow and written with the wider project team in mind. Architects, developers, contractors, Principal Designers, Responsible Persons and Building Control Officers all need clear, well-reasoned information to make informed decisions. That's exactly what we aim to provide.

Whether your project is straightforward or technically complex, our objective remains the same: to produce a Fire Strategy Report that supports compliance, assists the design team and helps keep your project moving.

Producing a Fire Strategy Report isn't about copying text from Approved Document B or filling in a template. Every project deserves individual consideration.

We take the time to understand how the building will be used, identify the fire safety challenges and develop solutions that are both compliant and practical. Where there is more than one way to achieve the required level of fire safety, we'll explain the options and help you choose the most appropriate approach.

Our clients value clear advice, responsive communication and reports that are written to support real-world construction projects rather than simply identify problems.

When you instruct DMB Fire Safety, you can expect:

• Professionally prepared Fire Strategy Reports tailored to your project. 
• Practical, engineered fire safety solutions. 
• Clear, well-structured documentation. 
• Early involvement where fire safety needs to influence the design. 
• Support for Building Control submissions. 
• Collaboration with architects, developers and design teams. 
• Straightforward technical advice without unnecessary jargon. 
• Fixed quotations with no hidden costs. 

Our aim is simple: to help you achieve compliance while delivering a building that is safe, practical and fit for purpose.

A Fire Strategy Report explains how a building has been designed, or how it should be managed, to achieve an appropriate standard of fire safety.

Rather than considering individual fire precautions in isolation, a Fire Strategy brings together every aspect of passive and active fire protection to demonstrate how occupants can escape safely, how fire growth and smoke spread are controlled, and how the emergency services can operate effectively if a fire occurs.

It forms the basis of the building's overall fire safety design and often becomes an important reference document throughout the building's life.

A Fire Strategy may include consideration of:

• Building use and occupancy 
• Means of escape 
• Evacuation strategy 
• Travel distances 
• Fire detection and alarm systems 
• Emergency lighting 
• Structural fire resistance 
• Fire compartmentation 
• Fire doors 
• Fire stopping 
• Smoke control systems 
• Internal and external fire spread 
• Firefighting shafts and firefighting lifts 
• Fire and Rescue Service access 
• Fire safety management 
• Inspection, maintenance and future alterations 

No two buildings are the same, which is why every Fire Strategy Report should reflect the specific risks, construction and intended use of the property.

A Fire Strategy Report is often required where compliance with the Building Regulations cannot be demonstrated through standard guidance alone, or where Building Control requires a clear explanation of how the building will achieve an appropriate standard of fire safety.

Many clients contact us after receiving comments from Building Control requesting a Fire Strategy Report. In other cases, architects and developers involve us at an early stage so that fire safety can be considered alongside the wider building design, helping to avoid costly changes later in the project.

We prepare Fire Strategy Reports for a wide range of projects, including:

• New build developments 
• Residential apartment buildings 
• HMOs 
• Commercial premises 
• Industrial and manufacturing facilities 
• Offices 
• Hotels and guest accommodation 
• Care homes 
• Educational buildings 
• Retail premises 
• Warehouses 
• Mixed-use developments 
• Building conversions 
• Material changes of use 
• Large refurbishments 
• Heritage and listed buildings 

Not every project requires a complex engineered solution. In many cases, a well-considered Fire Strategy provides Building Control with the confidence that the proposed design satisfies the functional requirements of the Building Regulations.

One of the most common enquiries we receive starts with a simple statement:

"Building Control have asked us for a Fire Strategy Report."

If you've received this request, don't panic.

It doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with your project. Building Control may simply require additional information to understand how the proposed design will achieve compliance.

Our reports are written specifically to support the Building Control process. We review the available information, assess the proposed building layout and explain the fire safety principles that underpin the design.

Where appropriate, we can review architectural drawings, comment on proposed layouts and identify potential fire safety issues before they become costly changes on site.

Our aim is always to provide Building Control with a clear, logical and professionally presented document that supports informed decision-making and helps keep projects moving.

Not every Fire Strategy is prepared for a new development.

Increasingly, we are asked to prepare retrospective Fire Strategy Reports for existing buildings where no original fire strategy exists.

This can happen for several reasons. A building may have been altered over many years, converted to a different use or refurbished without a comprehensive Fire Strategy ever being produced. In other cases, historic documentation has simply been lost.

We regularly prepare retrospective Fire Strategy Reports where:

• Building Control has requested additional information. 
• A change of use has taken place. 
• An existing building is being refurbished or extended. 
• A Fire Risk Assessment has identified significant design issues. 
• The original Fire Strategy cannot be located. 
• A building owner wishes to better understand the fire safety design of their premises. 

Preparing a retrospective Fire Strategy requires a different approach to designing a new building.

Rather than starting with a blank sheet of paper, we carefully assess the existing construction, fire compartmentation, means of escape, fire protection measures and day-to-day management arrangements. We then develop practical recommendations that recognise the constraints of the building while achieving an appropriate standard of fire safety.

Our objective is not to recommend unnecessary work, but to provide sensible, proportionate solutions that reflect how the building is actually used.

Existing buildings often present challenges that simply don't arise in new developments.

Older construction methods, structural limitations, heritage features and previous alterations can all influence the most appropriate fire safety solution.

A successful Fire Strategy should acknowledge these constraints rather than applying modern standards without considering whether they are practical or proportionate.

We have experience working with a wide range of existing buildings, including commercial premises, residential conversions, industrial buildings and complex heritage properties.

Where appropriate, we develop practical solutions that combine passive fire protection, active fire protection and fire safety management to achieve an appropriate level of life safety without compromising the character or function of the building.

Historic and listed buildings require careful consideration.

Protecting the architectural and historic significance of a building is often just as important as achieving compliance with the Building Regulations.

Modern fire safety guidance cannot always be applied without modification, and inappropriate alterations can significantly affect the character of a heritage property.

Our approach is to work with the building rather than against it.

We assess the existing construction, identify the fire safety objectives and develop proportionate solutions that respect the historic fabric wherever possible.

This may include carefully considered evacuation strategies, enhanced fire detection, improvements to fire compartmentation, sympathetic upgrades to fire doors or alternative fire safety measures where traditional approaches are not appropriate.

By working closely with architects, conservation professionals and Building Control, we help deliver practical fire safety solutions that balance heritage protection with life safety.

Every project is different, but our approach remains the same. We take the time to understand the building, identify the fire safety objectives and develop practical solutions that support compliance without creating unnecessary complexity.

Every project starts with a conversation.

We'll discuss your proposal, the stage of the project, any Building Control comments you've received and the information currently available. This allows us to understand your objectives and determine the most appropriate scope for the Fire Strategy Report.

Whether you're at the concept stage or responding to a Building Control request, we can advise on the information required to progress the project.

Where available, we review architectural drawings, floor plans, elevations, sections and any supporting design information.

This helps us understand how the building is intended to function, identify potential fire safety challenges and highlight any issues that may require further consideration before the report is prepared.

Where necessary, we can also review previous Fire Risk Assessments, Building Control correspondence and other relevant fire safety documentation.

For existing buildings, a site inspection is often essential.

We assess the construction of the building, means of escape, fire compartmentation, structural fire protection, fire doors, fire stopping, existing fire safety systems and any constraints that may influence the overall strategy.

Understanding the building first-hand allows us to develop recommendations that are practical, proportionate and achievable.

Using the information gathered during the design review and site inspection, we prepare a bespoke Fire Strategy Report tailored to the individual project.

Rather than simply referencing Approved Document B, we consider how every element of the building works together to achieve an appropriate level of fire safety.

Where engineered or alternative solutions are appropriate, these are clearly explained together with the reasoning behind our recommendations.

Your completed Fire Strategy Report is professionally presented and suitable for submission to Building Control, clients and the wider design team.

The report clearly explains the fire safety philosophy for the building, the standards considered and the recommendations necessary to achieve compliance.

Where appropriate, supporting plans, travel distance drawings and technical appendices can also be included.

No two buildings are the same, which is why every report is written specifically for the project.

Depending on the building and the scope of works, a Fire Strategy Report may include:

• Executive Summary 
• Building Description 
• Fire Safety Objectives 
• Applicable Legislation 
• Design Standards and Guidance 
• Occupancy Profile 
• Means of Warning 
• Means of Escape 
• Evacuation Strategy 
• Travel Distances 
• Escape Capacity 
• Fire Detection and Alarm Systems 
• Emergency Lighting 
• Structural Fire Resistance 
• Fire Compartmentation 
• Fire Doors 
• Fire Stopping 
• Smoke Control Systems 
• Internal and External Fire Spread 
• Firefighting Facilities 
• Fire and Rescue Service Access 
• Fire Safety Management 
• Recommendations 
• Conclusions 

Where required, reports may also include annotated drawings, travel distance assessments, occupancy calculations and supporting technical information to assist the wider project team.

A Fire Strategy Report should support the design process, not delay it.

We regularly work alongside architects, developers, Principal Designers, contractors, surveyors and Building Control Officers to ensure fire safety is considered as the design evolves.

Early involvement often helps identify potential issues before construction begins, reducing the likelihood of costly redesigns or delays later in the project.

Our approach is collaborative. We recognise that every decision affects other aspects of the building, including layout, accessibility, structural design, aesthetics and cost.

Where there is more than one compliant solution, we'll explain the options and work with the design team to develop an approach that is practical, proportionate and appropriate for the project.

At DMB Fire Safety, we believe good fire safety design is about achieving the right balance.

It's rarely helpful to recommend extensive alterations without considering how they affect the wider project.

Instead, we look at the building as a whole, considering passive fire protection, active fire protection and fire safety management together to develop solutions that are practical, compliant and proportionate.

Every recommendation within our reports is supported by clear technical reasoning, helping clients and Building Control understand not only what is being recommended, but why.

This approach provides confidence for everyone involved in the project and helps avoid unnecessary work wherever a suitable alternative solution can be demonstrated.

Our experience covers a broad range of building types, from straightforward conversions through to complex commercial and heritage projects.

Recent Fire Strategy Reports have included:

• Grade I listed heritage buildings 
• Residential apartment developments 
• HMOs and shared accommodation 
• Commercial office refurbishments 
• Industrial manufacturing facilities 
• Cleanroom production environments 
• Mixed-use developments 
• Care homes 
• Educational buildings 
• Hotels and guest accommodation 
• Warehouse and industrial units 
• Existing buildings requiring retrospective Fire Strategy Reports 

Every project presents different challenges. Our role is to understand how the building functions, identify the fire safety objectives and develop practical solutions that support compliance while recognising the needs of the client and the wider design team.

Although they are often confused, a Fire Strategy Report and a Fire Risk Assessment serve very different purposes.

A Fire Strategy Report explains how a building has been designed to achieve an appropriate standard of fire safety. It is usually prepared during the design, construction or refurbishment of a building and forms part of the Building Regulations process.

A Fire Risk Assessment is carried out once a building is occupied. It assesses how the building is being managed, identifies fire hazards, evaluates the existing fire precautions and recommends improvements where necessary under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Many projects require both documents. A Fire Strategy provides the design philosophy, while the Fire Risk Assessment ensures that the building continues to be managed safely throughout its occupation.

As a specialist fire safety consultancy, DMB Fire Safety provides both services, allowing us to support clients from the earliest design stages through to ongoing fire safety management.

The cost depends on the size, complexity and nature of the project, together with the information available. Following an initial discussion, we'll provide a fixed quotation wherever possible, so you know exactly what to expect.

Most reports are completed within one to three weeks, depending on the complexity of the project and the availability of drawings and supporting information. If your project is time-sensitive, we'll always do our best to meet your programme.

Yes. Many of the reports we produce are specifically prepared to support Building Control applications. We understand the information Building Control typically requires and present our reports in a clear, professional format that supports the approval process.

Yes. We regularly prepare Fire Strategy Reports for existing buildings where no original strategy exists. This includes older commercial buildings, heritage properties, residential conversions and projects where Building Control has requested additional fire safety information.

Where appropriate, yes. For existing buildings, a site inspection is often an important part of the process, allowing us to assess the construction, existing fire precautions and any practical constraints before developing the Fire Strategy.

Absolutely. We regularly work alongside architects, developers, Principal Designers, surveyors, contractors and Building Control throughout the design process. Early collaboration often leads to more practical solutions and helps avoid costly changes later in the project.

No. Although we're based in Stoke-on-Trent, we undertake Fire Strategy projects throughout England and Wales.

DMB Fire Safety is based in Stoke-on-Trent and provides Fire Strategy Reports throughout:

• Staffordshire 
• Cheshire 
• Derbyshire 
• Shropshire 
• West Midlands 
• Greater Manchester 
• Merseyside 
• Nottinghamshire 

We also undertake projects throughout England and Wales where required.

We know that appointing a fire safety consultant is about more than simply receiving a report.

Our clients choose us because they value practical advice, responsive communication and a collaborative approach throughout the project.

When you work with DMB Fire Safety, you can expect:

• Professionally prepared Fire Strategy Reports 
• Practical, risk-based fire safety solutions 
• Clear, well-structured documentation 
• Collaborative working with architects and design teams 
• Support for Building Control submissions 
• Honest, straightforward technical advice 
• Fixed quotations with no hidden costs 
• A commitment to helping projects progress 

Whether you're designing a new development, converting an existing building or responding to Building Control comments, we'll work with you to develop a Fire Strategy that is practical, proportionate and tailored to your project.

If you need a professionally prepared Fire Strategy Report or would like to discuss a Building Control requirement, we'd be pleased to help.

Whether you're working on a new development, a listed building, a residential conversion, an industrial facility or a complex refurbishment, we provide practical, technically robust Fire Strategy Reports that help projects move forward with confidence.

To discuss your project or request a no-obligation quotation, contact DMB Fire Safety today.

Telephone: 01782 513287

Email: info@dmbservice.co.uk