Fire Safety Consultancy
Design Reviews & Building Regulations Compliance Support
RSCP Engineering & Consultancy provides design review and fire safety compliance support for live projects, helping teams identify issues early and respond to them clearly and proportionately.
This is a review-based service focused on assessing proposed designs, layouts or fire safety provisions against relevant guidance, project objectives and approval considerations. It can be used as a second opinion, a pre-submission review or a targeted response service where comments have already been raised.
Service Overview
Design review and compliance support help clients assess whether proposed layouts, strategies, and fire safety measures align with the intended approval route and the relevant technical framework. It is particularly useful where projects are evolving, comments have been received or the team needs focused fire safety input on a live issue.
When You May Need This Service
You may need this service when a design needs checking before submission, when Building Control comments need to be responded to, or when layout changes may affect fire safety compliance. It is also useful where the project team needs focused fire safety advice without commissioning a full new fire strategy.
Regulatory Context
Building control requirements and supporting guidance vary across the UK. In England and Wales, projects are commonly reviewed against Part B fire safety requirements and the relevant Approved Documents. In Scotland, the applicable Building Standards regime and Technical Handbooks apply. In Northern Ireland, fire safety design is considered under the relevant Building Regulations provisions and Technical Booklet E. This service supports compliance and coordination within the applicable jurisdiction rather than acting as a substitute for statutory approval.
Scope of Service
- Fire safety design reviews
- Plan and layout review
- Compliance commentary against relevant guidance
- Review of escape strategy proposals
- Review of compartmentation proposals
- Review of firefighting access and facilities
- Review of active and passive fire safety measures at the strategy level
- Support with Building Control comments
- Technical review of design revisions
- Coordination support with architects, contractors and consultants
Deliverables
- Design review report
- Compliance review note
- Marked-up comments
- Technical observations schedule
- Building Control response support
Who This Service Is For
- Live design-stage projects
- Schemes with approval comments to resolve
- Contractor-led design development
- Refurbishment and fit-out works
- Residential and mixed-use layouts under review
How RSCP Engineering & Consultancy Adds Value
This service is intended to be practical and decision-focused. We identify the key fire safety issues, explain their significance clearly and help the team decide what needs to change, be justified or be coordinated more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a fire safety design review?
It can include review of layouts, means of escape, compartmentation, firefighting access, active and passive measures and the overall consistency of the design with the intended compliance route.
Can you review work prepared by another consultant?
Yes. We can review fire strategies, layouts or proposals prepared by others and provide independent technical comments.
Do you respond to Building Control comments?
Yes. This service can include support with reviewing and responding to fire safety-related comments raised during the approval process.
Is this the same as a full fire strategy?
Not always. In some cases, a focused design review is sufficient; in others, the review may show that a broader strategy document is needed.
Can you advise on design changes during the project?
Yes. We can review whether proposed changes have fire safety implications and what further action may be needed.
Can this service be used before tender or formal submission?
Yes. It is often valuable as a pre-submission or pre-tender sense check to reduce avoidable issues later in the process.
Can the review focus on a particular issue rather than the whole project?
Yes. The scope can be targeted to specific matters, such as means of escape, compartmentation, firefighting facilities, or a response to a particular approval comment.
What happens if the review identifies significant issues?
We explain the issues clearly, set out their implications, and advise on options for revision, justification, or further coordination.
RSCP Engineering & Consultancy is an independent consultancy bringing together expertise in fire safety, health & safety, and commercial project support.
RSCP Engineering & Consultancy Ltd. Registered in England and Wales under Company No. 09386967. Registered Office: Vision Offices, Saxon House, 27 Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1HT.
Contact Info
Vision Offices, Saxon House, 27 Duke Street
Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1HT