Construction & Delivery

Developing the right fire strategy is only part of the process. It is equally important that the strategy is properly coordinated, detailed and implemented during construction.

OFR supports project teams by reviewing design information, responding to technical queries, inspecting works on site and advising where construction details need further consideration to align with the agreed fire strategy. This may include review of compartmentation, fire stopping, cavity barriers, passive fire protection, escape provisions, façade interfaces and other critical fire safety measures.

Our role is to help clients and contractors understand whether the fire strategy is being delivered as intended, identify issues early, and provide practical advice to reduce the risk of late-stage redesign, non-compliance or delay.

Fire strategy implementation support

Technical design reviews

Passive fire protection advice

Fire stopping and compartmentation reviews

Cavity barrier and façade interface reviews

Site inspections and reporting

Contractor queries and technical workshops

Support through handover and completion


Fire safety during construction is different from implementation of the completed building fire strategy.

Construction sites are dynamic environments where escape routes, compartmentation, fire loading, ignition sources, hot works, temporary services and the number of people on site can change frequently.

OFR develops construction phase fire strategies to help contractors identify and manage fire safety risks during the works. These strategies consider the temporary measures needed to support safe escape, limit fire spread, assist firefighting access and manage higher-risk activities while the building is incomplete.

We also undertake construction site fire risk assessments to support the Responsible Person in fulfilling their duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in relation to construction activities.

Construction phase fire strategies

Construction site fire risk assessments

Temporary escape strategy advice

Temporary compartmentation and fire door advice

Fire spread risk during phased construction

Hot works and high-risk activity considerations

Temporary firefighting access and facilities advice

Site fire safety reviews and inspections


Modern methods of construction and innovative material choices can present fire safety challenges that are not fully addressed by standard guidance.

Timber structures, light gauge steel frame, modular construction, complex façade systems and other non-standard construction approaches often require bespoke fire engineering input.

OFR supports clients and design teams in understanding the fire safety implications of novel construction solutions and developing appropriate strategies to manage risk and support the evidence base for approval. Our advice considers the building use, construction form, material behaviour, detailing, buildability, regulatory expectations and available technical evidence.

This work may involve early-stage option appraisal, development of fire engineered solutions, review of test evidence, assessment of robustness and resilience, and coordination with the wider design and construction team.

Timber construction fire safety advice

Modular construction fire safety advice

Light gauge steel frame construction advice

Façade fire safety advice

Review of test evidence and product information

Fire engineered solutions for non-standard construction

Design risk reviews and option appraisals

Technical support for approval submissions


  • Fire Strategy
  • Third Party Peer Review
  • Advanced Fire Engineering Analysis
 
  • Existing Building Fire Safety
  • External Wall Fire Safety
  • Disputes & Expert Witness
 
  • Fire Suppression
  • Research