Peer Reviews

The quality of fire safety advice varies significantly across the industry. Responsible persons increasingly need assurance that the fire risk assessments, fire strategies, and fire engineering reports they have commissioned are technically sound, compliant with current standards, and proportionate to the risks present.

Apex Fire Engineering provides independent peer review of fire safety documentation produced by other consultants. Our review process is constructive, technically rigorous, and presented in a clear format that enables the commissioning organisation to act on the findings.

• Fire risk assessments — methodology, findings, and action plans
• Fire strategies — design assumptions, compliance arguments, and completeness
• Fire engineering reports — analytical methods, assumptions, and conclusions
• FRAEW reports — PAS 9980 methodology compliance and risk ratings

A peer review report setting out our assessment of the document under review, identifying areas of concern, gaps, or errors, and providing recommendations for improvement or further action.

Why would I need a peer review of a fire safety report?

A peer review provides independent assurance that a fire risk assessment, fire strategy, or fire engineering report produced by another consultant is technically sound, compliant with current standards, and proportionate to the risks present. Organisations commission peer reviews when they have concerns about the quality of advice received, when the original report is being challenged or contested, when internal governance requires independent verification, or when the consequences of acting on incorrect advice are significant.

What documents can Apex peer review?

Apex reviews fire risk assessments (all types), retrospective fire strategies, fire engineering reports and fire-engineered solutions, FRAEW reports under PAS 9980, building safety case reports, compartmentation survey reports, and fire door survey reports. The review assesses methodology, compliance with relevant standards, accuracy of findings, proportionality of recommendations, and overall quality of the advice provided.

How does the peer review process work?

The process typically involves a desktop review of the document against the applicable standards and guidance, followed by a structured assessment of the methodology, findings, and recommendations. Where necessary, Apex may carry out a supplementary site visit to verify specific findings. The output is a peer review report that identifies areas of concern, gaps, errors, or inconsistencies, and provides constructive recommendations for improvement.

Who is qualified to carry out a peer review?

A credible peer review requires the reviewer to have at least equivalent qualifications and experience to the author of the original report. Apex peer reviews are carried out by senior practitioners with IFE membership, BAFE SP205 accreditation, and extensive practical experience across the relevant service area. Our reviewers have no commercial relationship with the original report author, ensuring genuine independence.

What happens if the peer review identifies problems?

Where the peer review identifies significant issues, Apex provides clear guidance on the nature and severity of the problems found, their potential implications for fire safety and regulatory compliance, and recommended next steps. This may include requesting corrections from the original consultant, commissioning a replacement report, or implementing interim fire safety measures while the issues are resolved. Contact Apex to discuss your specific situation.