Fire Risk Assessment vs Fire Strategy: What's the Difference?
Fire risk assessments and fire strategies are both important parts of building fire safety, but they serve different purposes.
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, particularly when building owners, landlords or facilities managers are trying to establish what fire safety documentation they need. However, a fire risk assessment and a fire strategy are not the same thing.
A fire risk assessment examines the fire risks within a building as it is being used and identifies the measures needed to keep people safe. A fire strategy takes a broader look at how the building has been designed, constructed and managed so that its different fire safety measures work together effectively.
Understanding the difference can help you determine which is appropriate for your building – and, in some cases, why you may need both.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment (FRA) is a structured assessment of the fire hazards and risks within a premises.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out for premises that fall within the scope of the legislation.
The purpose of the assessment is to identify potential fire hazards, determine who may be at risk and assess whether the fire precautions currently in place are adequate.
A fire risk assessment will typically consider areas such as:
- Sources of ignition and combustible materials
- People who may be particularly at risk
- Means of escape and emergency exits
- Fire detection and alarm systems
- Emergency lighting
- Fire doors and compartmentation
- Firefighting equipment
- Fire safety management and procedures
- Evacuation arrangements
- Staff information and training
Where issues are identified, the assessment should set out the actions required to reduce or manage the risk.
A fire risk assessment is therefore focused on identifying and managing the fire risks that exist within the premises. It should also be reviewed regularly and when significant changes occur.
What is a Fire Strategy?
A fire strategy looks at the overall approach to fire safety within a building and how the different elements of its fire protection work together.
Rather than concentrating primarily on identifying individual hazards, it considers the building as a complete system.
A fire strategy may cover:
- The building's construction and use
- Means of escape and evacuation strategy
- Occupancy and anticipated number of occupants
- Fire detection and alarm systems
- Emergency lighting
- Compartmentation and fire resistance
- Smoke control
- Firefighting provisions
- Access and facilities for the fire and rescue service
- Fire safety management arrangements
- The interaction between passive, active and procedural fire safety measures
In simple terms, the strategy explains how the building is intended to remain safe in the event of a fire and how its various fire protection measures work together to achieve that objective. This broadly reflects the description used by government following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
What is the Difference Between a Fire Risk Assessment and a Fire Strategy?
The easiest way to understand the difference is to think about the question each document is trying to answer.
A fire risk assessment asks:
“What are the current fire risks in this building, are the existing precautions adequate and what action needs to be taken?”
A fire strategy asks:
“How is this building designed and intended to protect people from fire, and how do all of its fire safety measures work together?”
A fire risk assessment focuses on the premises as it is currently occupied and managed, assessing existing fire hazards and risks and identifying any deficiencies or actions required. It must be regularly reviewed to ensure it remains suitable and sufficient as the building, its occupants or its use changes.
A fire strategy takes a broader view of the building, considering its design, construction and fire protection systems and explaining how these different measures work together to provide an overall approach to fire safety. It will generally be reviewed where relevant changes to the building, its design or its fire safety arrangements could affect the existing strategy.
They are different documents, but they can work closely together. Where a documented fire strategy exists, it can provide valuable information to the person undertaking the fire risk assessment.
Do I Need a Fire Risk Assessment or a Fire Strategy?
For many premises, the starting point will be the fire risk assessment.
If your building falls within the scope of the Fire Safety Order, the Responsible Person has a duty to ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and kept under review.
A fire strategy may be appropriate where the building is more complex, where the existing fire safety design needs to be understood or documented, or where significant alterations or changes are being considered.
For example, a fire strategy can be particularly useful for:
- Larger or more complex buildings
- Buildings with complex evacuation arrangements
- New developments or major refurbishments
- Buildings undergoing a significant change of use
- Premises where the original fire safety information is incomplete or unclear
- Buildings where different fire protection systems need to be considered together
The important point is that having a fire strategy does not remove the need for a fire risk assessment where one is legally required.
Can a Fire Risk Assessment Recommend a Fire Strategy?
Yes.
During a fire risk assessment, it may become apparent that the way the building is intended to operate in a fire isn't sufficiently clear or that further specialist assessment is required.
For example, there may be uncertainty surrounding compartmentation, evacuation arrangements, means of escape or the interaction between different fire safety systems.
In these circumstances, one of the recommendations arising from the fire risk assessment may be to obtain or review the building's fire strategy.
Equally, an existing fire strategy can provide valuable information when a fire risk assessment is undertaken, particularly in larger or more complex premises.
Keeping Your Building's Fire Safety Information Up to Date
Buildings change over time.
Alterations to layouts, occupancy, internal walls, doors, services or the way a building is used can all affect its fire safety arrangements. Even relatively minor building work can interact with existing fire precautions, which is why fire safety documentation shouldn't simply be produced and then forgotten.
Fire risk assessments should be reviewed regularly and following relevant changes, while existing fire strategies may also need to be revisited where alterations affect the assumptions or fire safety measures on which the strategy was based. Government guidance increasingly emphasises the importance of fire strategies, fire safety management and fire risk assessments working together coherently.
Need Help With Your Building's Fire Safety?
If you're unsure whether your premises requires a fire risk assessment, fire strategy or further specialist fire safety assessment, Fire Risk Assessments North West can help.
Our experienced fire safety professionals work with businesses, landlords, property managers and organisations to assess fire safety requirements and provide clear, practical guidance on the next steps.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your building and fire safety requirements.