The problem it solves
A large number of existing buildings have no fire strategy at all, or one that was written for the design and never updated. Over the years, layouts change, alarm systems are upgraded, ground floors become shops or gyms, and the original evacuation approach may no longer be supported by what is actually installed.
That gap matters. Fire risk assessors, the Building Safety Regulator, insurers, lenders and buyers all expect the person responsible for a building to understand how it is meant to perform in a fire. A retrospective fire strategy provides that baseline.
When you need one
- Preparing a safety case report for a higher-risk building, where the fire strategy underpins the assessment of fire spread risks
- A fire risk assessment has flagged that there's no fire strategy, or that the evacuation strategy can't be confirmed
- Buying, selling or refinancing, where due diligence has found the strategy is missing or inconsistent
- After alterations – a new commercial unit, roof-top extension, changed alarm system or reconfigured escape routes
- Insurer or lender questions about the evacuation strategy or compartmentation
How a retrospective strategy is put together
- Records review – drawings, O&M manuals, building control completion documents, previous FRAs, FRAEWs and any existing strategy
- Site survey – escape routes, stairs, doors, compartmentation as far as visible, detection and alarm, smoke ventilation, firefighting facilities and signage
- Assessment – comparing what's there with the guidance current when the building was constructed and with current guidance, so you can see which gaps are historic differences and which are genuine risks
- Strategy and recommendations – a documented fire strategy for the building as it stands, with a prioritised list of actions where the existing provisions fall short
What you get
A report that confirms the evacuation strategy, explains the fire safety provisions floor by floor, identifies deviations and their significance, and sets out recommendations in order of priority. It is written so that it can sit in the golden thread and be relied on by future fire risk assessors and managing agents.
What's included
- Review of all available building records
- Full site survey of fire safety provisions
- Evacuation strategy confirmed or reviewed
- Comparison with historic and current guidance
- Means of escape and compartmentation assessment
- Detection, alarm and smoke control review
- Firefighting access and facilities
- Marked-up fire strategy plans
- Prioritised recommendations
- Suitable for the golden thread and safety case
What does a retrospective fire strategy cost?
The fee depends on the building's size and height, how many different uses it contains, the quality of the records available and how much of the building needs to be surveyed. A well-documented residential block is quicker than a mixed-use building with little information. We'll quote a fixed fee once we know what you hold – see the cost guide.
Where we work
We prepare retrospective fire strategies for buildings in London, Slough and Berkshire, and across the UK.
Guides on this topic
- Why safety case reports get refused – and how to get your BAC approved
- Do I need a retrospective fire strategy?
- Fire strategy vs fire risk assessment: what's the difference?
- Residential PEEPs: what responsible persons must do since April 2026
- BS 9994 (draft): the first British Standard for fire strategies
- Fire risk assessment types 1–4 explained (and when you need an intrusive one)
Related services
- Building Safety Case Reports – for higher-risk residential buildings
- Fire Compartmentation Surveys – fire stopping, cavity barriers and risers
- Fire Safety Due Diligence – for acquisitions, disposals and refinancing