The BSA 2022 emphasises the need for independent checking of fire engineering. Understanding when and how to commission peer reviews is essential.. The Need for Independent Review The Grenfell Inquiry and Hackitt Review identified that inadequate scrutiny of fire safety design was a systemic failure. The BSA 2022 and professional standards now demand independent verification. When Is Peer Review Required? BSR requirement: For higher risk buildings, the BSR expects fire engineering to be independently reviewed as part of Gateway 2 submissions. Insurance requirement: Major insurers increasingly require third party fire engineering review for high value projects. Best practice: The Institution of Fire Engineers recommends peer review for all fire engineering beyond simple prescriptive compliance. What Does Peer Review Cover? 1. Design fire selection — are design fire parameters appropriate and justified? 2. CFD modelling — are inputs reasonable, grid resolution adequate, results correctly interpreted? 3. Evacuation modelling — are pre movement times realistic, behaviour assumptions valid? 4. Structural fire engineering — are thermal models appropriate, load combinations correct? 5. Prescriptive compliance — does the design actually comply with ADB/BS 9999 where claimed? 6. Management assumptions — are assumed management measures realistic and enforceable? 7. Overall fire safety strategy — is the strategy coherent and comprehensive? Who Should Conduct Peer Reviews? The reviewer must be: Independent — no commercial relationship with the project team Competent — at least equal qualification and experience to the original engineer Insured — carrying professional indemnity insurance Registered — MIFireE as minimum for complex fire engineering review Common Issues Found in Peer Review Overly optimistic design fire growth rates Insufficient CFD grid sensitivity analysis Pre movement times based on best case rather than realistic scenarios Structural fire engineering relying on parametric fires without justification Management measures assumed that are unrealistic for the building type Incomplete consideration of fire scenarios Gaps between fire engineering report and architectural drawings Cost and Value Peer review typically costs 5 15% of the original fire engineering fee. This investment: Reduces risk of BSR rejection at Gateway 2 Provides assurance to building owners and investors Identifies potential safety issues before construction Satisfies insurance and regulatory requirements Protects the original fire engineer through independent validation For fire engineering peer review, contact Magnus Opifex. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.