Fire Compartmentation Survey

A fire compartmentation survey service is a professional, in-depth assessment of a building’s passive fire protection systems.

A fire compartmentation survey focuses on the fire-resistant barriers that divide the property into compartments to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Our service aims to ensure that the building's compartmentation meets legal fire safety requirements and industry standards.

Key Components of a Fire Compartmentation Survey Service:

Initial Assessment and Consultation :

The service begins with an initial consultation to understand the building's design, purpose, and layout. This helps the survey team determine the specific fire safety regulations applicable to the property.

Site Inspection :

A thorough, room-by-room inspection is carried out by qualified fire safety professionals to assess the integrity of compartmentation.

This includes inspecting walls, floors, ceilings, and fire doors, ensuring they are built and maintained to contain fire and smoke for a specified time.

Review of Fire-Resistant Materials :

Our surveyors evaluate the fire-resistant materials used in the construction of the building’s compartments.

They check for the use of appropriate fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings, ensuring they meet required fire safety standards.

Penetrations and Openings Inspection :

The team identifies any breaches in the compartmentation, such as penetrations for electrical cables, pipes, or ventilation ducts.

These openings must be properly sealed with fire-stopping materials to prevent fire and smoke from traveling between compartments.

Fire Door and Fire Stopping Systems :

Fire doors are inspected to ensure they are functioning correctly and have appropriate seals and frames to resist fire spread.

Any gaps around services such as pipes or ductwork are checked to ensure fire-stopping systems are in place.

Documentation and Reporting :

After completing the survey, a detailed report is prepared, highlighting the current condition of the building's fire compartmentation.

The report includes photos, diagrams, and descriptions of areas that may require remedial action.

Remedial Action Plan :

If deficiencies are found, our surveyors will recommend solutions, such as installing new fire-stopping measures, repairing or replacing compromised fire doors, or sealing penetrations.

We can also provide cost management and project management services for the remedial work.

Certification and Compliance :

Once all issues are addressed, the building owner will receive confirmation that the compartmentation is compliant with fire safety regulations. This is essential for legal compliance and insurance purposes.

Why Fire Compartmentation Surveys Are Important for Property Owners:

Life Safety :

Fire compartmentation is crucial for protecting lives aims by providing between 30 and 120 minutes of fire resistance.

By containing the spread of fire and smoke, Fire Compartmentation allows occupants more time to evacuate safely or be rescued by emergency services.

Providing compartmentation to current Building Regulation and British Standards requirements:

Prevents the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases.

Subdivides buildings into manageable areas of risk.

Provides adequate means of escape which gives time for occupants to safely evacuate the premises.

In the year to March 2022, the most common cause of death for fire-related fatalities was 'overcome by gas or smoke' which underlines the importance of preserving a safe means of escape should a fire occur.

The most up-to-date information on compartmentation requirements is set out in The Building Regulations 2010, Approved Document B. Additional amendments were released in March 2024.

Legal Compliance :

Fire compartmentation is mandated by national building codes and fire safety regulations, such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Property owners are legally responsible for ensuring their building meets these regulations, and failure to do so can lead to penalties, legal action, or even criminal charges.

Protection of Property :

Compartmentation limits the extent of fire damage by containing it to specific areas of the building. This reduces overall repair costs and prevents total property loss, safeguarding a property owner’s investment.

Insurance Requirements :

Insurers typically require a fire compartmentation survey to validate coverage. Non-compliance with fire safety regulations may lead to higher premiums or the refusal of claims after a fire event.

Fire Risk Assessment Integration :

The survey can be integrated with a broader fire risk assessment to provide a comprehensive understanding of the building’s fire safety measures. This helps property owners create and implement effective fire safety plans.

Reputation and Tenant Safety :

For owners of residential or commercial buildings, maintaining a high standard of fire safety is vital for tenant satisfaction and the property’s reputation. Ensuring that fire compartmentation is intact promotes trust among tenants, clients, and regulatory bodies.

Fire Compartmentation Conclusion

For property owners, a fire compartmentation survey service is not just about compliance but also a proactive measure to protect lives, property, and financial interests. It ensures that the building has adequate passive fire protection systems in place, reducing the risk of catastrophic fire spread and minimizing the potential for costly damages and liabilities.