A Fire Compartmentation Survey is an intensive analysis of a buildings structural integrity. Compartmentation forms a crucial part of the fire plan for any building and is an essential part of the Fire Risk Assessment process.

 

Fire Compartmentation is the subdivision of a building into manageable areas of risk, in order to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, and to provide adequate means of evacuation in the event of a fire. Ensuring appropriate fire separation throughout a building is one of the most effective, but often least considered means of protecting premises and their occupants. A standard fire risk assessment will generally not include an extensive assessment of Fire Compartmentation, for example:

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• Suspended ceilings, walls, floors, beams, columns, glazed screens and cavity barriers

• Fire Doors (to prevent spread of fire and smoke)

• Extensive overpainting (paint is very flammable when thick and poorly adhered)

• Penetrating services such as; cables, pipes, ducts and dampers

  

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In the event of a fire, a room (approx. 6m by 6m) with a pencil sized hole between compartments will fill with thick smoke (no visibility) within 4 minutes, leading to unconsciousness and consequently death. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, organisations must ensure that the fire protection components within a building: “are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”

 

Our Conformance surveyors perform Fire Compartmentation Surveys (FIRAS and ISO9001) to new and existing buildings, examining from floor to ceiling for fire resistance effectiveness and provide a full comprehensive report on completion. In addition to our findings we provide a bespoke Fire Safety Management System to ensure the safety of your assets and building occupants.