A Fire Statement is required for certain planning applications involving relevant buildings under Planning Gateway One in England. This commonly applies to developments that meet the height threshold of 18 metres or more, or 7 or more storeys, and include residential or educational accommodation.

Some local planning authorities may also request fire safety information for other types of development, particularly where the project is large, complex or has specific site access concerns.

If you are unsure whether your project needs a Fire Statement, it is best to check early so the correct information can be prepared before submission.

A Fire Statement should provide clear information about the proposed development and how fire safety has been considered at the planning stage.

This may include a description of the building, its use, height, layout, site access, fire appliance access, water supplies, evacuation principles and key firefighting considerations.

The level of detail will depend on the type of development and the information required by the planning authority. The aim is to show that important fire safety matters have not been left until later in the project.

No, a Fire Statement and a Fire Strategy are related but not the same.

A Fire Statement is usually prepared for planning purposes and focuses on fire safety matters relevant at the early planning stage, such as access, layout, and firefighting provisions.

A Fire Strategy is typically more detailed and is often developed later in the design process. It looks more closely at how the building will meet fire safety requirements, including escape routes, compartmentation, fire doors, alarm systems, smoke control and firefighting facilities.

A Fire Statement should be prepared by someone with suitable fire safety knowledge and experience, such as the experts based at Independent Fire Inspections.

The person preparing it needs to understand the planning requirements, the proposed building layout and the fire safety matters that must be addressed at this early stage.

Using a competent fire safety consultant can help ensure the Fire Statement is clear, relevant and suitable for submission with the planning application.

Yes, a well-prepared Fire Statement can help reduce the risk of delays by providing the required fire safety information at the point of submission.

If a Fire Statement is missing, incomplete or unclear, the planning application may be delayed while further information is requested.

Addressing fire safety matters early also helps identify potential issues with access, layout or firefighting provisions before the design progresses too far.

To prepare a Fire Statement, you will usually need drawings, site plans, building heights, floor layouts, a description of the proposed use, details of access routes and information about firefighting water supplies.

It may also be helpful to provide any existing fire strategy information, design notes, planning documents or details of discussions with the project team. The more accurate the information is at the start, the easier it is to prepare a clear and useful Fire Statement.

Early fire safety advice helps ensure important issues are considered before the design is finalised. This can include fire appliance access, site layout, evacuation principles, water supplies and how the building will be approached by the fire and rescue service.

Considering these matters at the planning stage can help reduce redesign, avoid unnecessary delays and support a smoother route through the planning process.