Compartmentation Surveys
Building Fire Safety
Compartmentation is a critical fire safety strategy that involves dividing a building into fire-resistant sections, or “compartments,” using walls, floors and ceilings designed to resist fire and smoke for a set period (e.g., 30, 60, 120 minutes). This method slows down the spread of fire, protects escape routes and reduces damage to property. Even a small hole, like one left by an unsealed cable or pipe, can completely compromise a fire compartment, allowing smoke and toxic gases to pass through long before flames do.
WHY IS COMPARTMENTATION IMPORTANT?
Effective compartmentation isn’t just about fire-rated walls; it’s about the entire system working together. Key components include fire-rated partitions (walls and floors), properly installed and maintained fire doors, fire-stopping seals around pipes, cables and ducts that pass-through walls/floors, and intumescent products that expand under heat to block fire/smoke. Any breach in these elements, like an unsealed cable tray or a damaged fire door, can cause the whole system to fail.
COMMON SIGNS OF COMPARTMENTATION FAILURE
Some red flags often found during Passive Fire Surveys include unsealed openings around service penetrations, missing or damaged intumescent collars and wraps, fire doors that don’t close properly or are wedged open, gaps above ceiling tiles or in riser cupboards and DIY work that has compromised fire barriers. These issues may go unnoticed day to day, but they can be life-threatening in an emergency.
WHO NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT COMPARTMENTATION?
Compartmentation is essential in a wide range of settings, including schools, universities, residential buildings, HMOs, flats, commercial and office spaces, healthcare facilities, care homes, warehouses and industrial units, where protecting lives and limiting fire spread is critical. If you’re responsible for a building, especially as a Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order, you have a duty to ensure the compartmentation is compliant and maintained.
WHY CHOOSE US FOR YOUR COMPARTMENTATION SURVEY
Exit Fire Safety ensures that your fire compartmentation surveys are conducted in line with UK legislation, including the Building Regulations 2010 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. While having a regular fire compartmentation survey is not a legal requirement, undertaking a yearly fire risk assessment is mandatory. This assessment may encourage a fire compartmentation survey to ensure compliance and safety.
COMPLIANCE WITH UK LEGISLATION
Exit Fire Safety ensures that your fire compartmentation surveys are conducted in line with UK legislation, including the Building Regulations 2010 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. While having a regular fire compartmentation survey is not a legal requirement, undertaking a yearly fire risk assessment is mandatory. This assessment may encourage a fire compartmentation survey to ensure compliance and safety.
COMPETENT SURVEYORS
Our team of competent compartmentation surveyors possesses the necessary qualifications, skills and experience to conduct thorough and intrusive surveys. This is crucial due to the survey’s nature, which requires in-depth knowledge of building structures, materials, design, fire safety and fire-stopping methods.
COMPREHENSIVE SURVEYS
Our surveys include a visual check of fire compartments and all compartmentation lines, including seals and fire doors. We inspect fire seals in service penetrations, evaluate sealing materials for fire rating and installation and review the condition of installed fire doors. We document non-conformances with details on locations, materials, dimensions, legislation breaches, remediation paths, access requirements and repair cost estimates. An action plan with photos, notes on defects and recommendations for fixes is also provided.
ADVANTAGES OF A FIRE COMPARTMENTATION SURVEY
A fire compartmentation survey can protect your occupants and property. Effective compartmentation reduces risk by slowing fire spread and giving occupants time to escape while containing damage. It also supports safe evacuation and firefighting by containing the fire to smaller areas, allowing firefighters to tackle it more effectively.
By choosing Exit Fire Safety, you ensure that your building’s fire safety measures are up to standard, compliant with legislation and effectively protecting lives and property.
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Attention to detail was truly impressive
Exit Fire Safety carried out comprehensive fire safety surveys across our entire complex. Their ability to custom-manufacture fire doors to meet modern safety standards while authentically replicating Tudor-era designs was exceptional. Their attention to detail and respect for heritage was truly impressive.
Stephen Primrose, Charterhouse, London
Professional, efficient and committed to safety
Exit Fire Safety carried out comprehensive fire door and compartmentation surveys across all our high-rise residential blocks in Salford. Their detailed assessments identified a clear program of remedial works, which our housing association was able to implement swiftly thanks to their thorough reporting and guidance.
Salix Homes, Salford, Manchester
Knowledge, Practical and Common-sense approach
The professional fire safety advice and assistance provided by the team was truly impressive. Their professional fire safety advice and assistance proved to be invaluable in the creation of these documents. We are extremely grateful for their expertise and dedication and exceptional support.
St. Leger Homes of Doncaster
