A Tailored Approach to Fire Protection
Fortis provides specialist fire protection consultancy services for complex buildings.
Our role is to design fire protection systems that are compliant, coordinated, and built to perform in real conditions. We work across all project stages, from early design advice through to construction support and approvals.
Fire protection is only as good as the design behind it. That principle underpins every service we offer.
Fire Protection System Design
We design complete fire protection systems tailored to the building, risk profile, and operational requirements.
This includes early design input, system selection, layout development, and coordination with the wider consultant team. Our focus is on compliant solutions that integrate cleanly with architectural and building services design.
Early involvement allows key decisions to be tested and resolved when they have the greatest impact on performance, cost, and constructability.
Fire Sprinkler System Design
We provide specialist sprinkler system design for commercial, residential, industrial, and high-risk environments.
Our designs are developed to meet applicable standards while responding to real-world constraints such as building geometry, storage arrangements, and construction sequencing. Water supply, hydraulic performance, coordination, and installation requirements are considered from the outset.
This approach supports accurate documentation and smoother delivery during construction.
Fire Alarm System Design
We design fire alarm and detection systems that support early warning, effective evacuation, and reliable system performance.
Our work includes system selection, detector layouts, cause and effect development, and coordination with other building systems. Designs are developed to support approvals, construction, and long-term operation.
Clear coordination at this stage reduces downstream changes and site issues.
Performance-based Design & Alternative Solutions
Performance-based design is a core part of our consultancy offering.
We develop alternative solutions where prescriptive compliance is not practical or where improved outcomes can be achieved through engineered analysis. This includes assessing risk, defining performance criteria, and supporting solutions through modelling, documentation, and authority engagement.
These solutions are developed to be clear, defensible, and aligned with the overall building strategy.
BIM Coordination & Integrated Design
We deliver coordinated 3D fire protection design within federated models to support clash detection, constructability, and accurate documentation.
Our team works closely with other disciplines to ensure fire protection systems are integrated, buildable, and aligned with the wider building design. This supports smoother construction, fewer site issues, and clearer communication across the project team.
Technical Due Diligence & Design Reviews
We provide independent technical reviews of fire protection design for compliance, performance, and constructability.
This includes peer reviews, design audits, and risk assessments for existing or proposed systems. Our reviews focus on identifying issues early and providing clear, practical recommendations.
This service supports informed decision-making before construction, acquisition or approval.
Contractor & Design-build Support
We support contractors delivering fire protection systems under design-build or negotiated contracts.
Our role includes design development, coordination support, authority engagement, and response to construction-stage changes. We work alongside installation teams to reduce risk, avoid redesign, and maintain compliance through delivery.
Support continues through construction to ensure design intent is maintained.
Authority Engagement & Approval Documentation
We prepare fire protection documentation to support building consent, authority review, and compliance sign-off.
This includes fire reports, alternative solution documentation, and supporting technical information. We engage directly with authorities where required to clarify design intent and respond to queries.
This approach supports efficient approvals and reduces delays during delivery.
Our Process
1. Project Understanding
We begin by understanding the building, the risk profile, and the project constraints.
This includes reviewing the design intent, occupancy, construction methodology, and compliance pathway. Early clarity at this stage allows key decisions to be tested before they create downstream risk.
2. Design Development
We develop fire protection strategies that are clear, compliant, and coordinated.
This stage includes system selection, performance-based analysis where required, and close coordination with architects, engineers, and other disciplines. Design decisions are documented clearly and tested against real-world conditions.
3. Coordination and Delivery
We carry the design through approvals and into construction.
This includes BIM coordination, authority engagement, design refinement, and construction-stage support. Our focus is on maintaining design intent while responding practically to site conditions.
4. Review and close-out
We support completion, verification and handover.
This stage ensures systems are installed as designed, documentation is complete, and compliance requirements are met. We remain involved to resolve issues efficiently and close out the project properly.
Why choose Fortis
Fortis is a specialist consultancy. We are engaged where clarity, performance and accountability matter.
Clients choose Fortis because:
We focus on design that performs in real conditions, not just on paper
We bring disciplined engineering to complex and high-risk buildings
We engage early to reduce redesign, variation, and construction risk
We provide clear, independent advice backed by practical experience
We integrate cleanly with architects, engineers, and contractors
We support projects from early design through to construction and approvals
Our role is to reduce uncertainty and deliver fire protection systems that are compliant, coordinated, and built to last.
