Fire Compartmentation Surveys Made Simple

For property managers and building owners, ensuring a building’s fire safety is a top priority. While the concept of fire compartmentation is crucial, the process of assessing it through a survey can seem daunting. A Fire Compartmentation Survey is a vital tool for verifying a building’s passive fire protection measures. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of what to expect from the survey, helping you navigate the process with confidence and clarity.

What is a Fire Compartmentation Survey?

A Fire Compartmentation Survey is a detailed, on-site inspection conducted by a qualified fire safety professional. Its purpose is to assess the integrity of a building’s fire compartmentation—the system of fire-resistant walls, floors, and doors designed to contain a fire and smoke in the area of origin. The survey identifies any breaches or deficiencies that could compromise a building’s safety and legal compliance. It is a proactive measure that provides a detailed audit of your building’s passive fire protection.

Why It’s So Important

A Fire Compartmentation Survey is essential for two primary reasons:

Safety: It protects the lives of occupants by ensuring that escape routes are safe and that fire and smoke will be contained for a set period.
Compliance: It helps you meet your legal obligations under key UK fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. It also verifies that your building’s compartmentation aligns with the standards of Building Regulations (Approved Document B).

The Step-by-Step Survey Process

A professional Fire Compartmentation Survey is a methodical process designed to be as efficient as possible. Here’s what you can expect:

Step 1: Initial Enquiry and Information Gathering

The process begins with your request for a survey. You’ll be asked to provide basic information about the building, such as its age, type, size, and any known fire safety history or recent refurbishments. Providing access to existing building plans or fire strategy documents can significantly streamline the on-site inspection.

Step 2: The On-site Inspection

A qualified surveyor will visit the building to conduct a thorough visual and intrusive inspection. They will methodically check all common areas, service risers, ceilings, and other concealed spaces. They will be looking for any signs of damage or non-compliance.

Step 3: Assessment of Key Elements

During the inspection, the surveyor will focus on three main areas:

Fire-Rated Walls & Floors: They will look for any breaches, holes, or gaps that have been created for services (e.g., pipes, cables, or ducts) and have not been properly sealed with fire-stopping material.
Fire Doors: The surveyor will check the condition of all fire doors, their frames, intumescent seals, and self-closing devices to ensure they are fully operational and provide an effective barrier.
Fire-Stopping Measures: This is a crucial and often overlooked part of the survey. The surveyor will check that all voids and gaps around services are sealed correctly to prevent fire from bypassing the primary compartmentation.

Step 4: The Final Report

After the on-site work is complete, the surveyor will compile a detailed report. This report will include:

A summary of the findings and a clear assessment of the building’s current compartmentation status.
A list of all identified breaches or deficiencies, often with photographs and clear descriptions.
A prioritized list of recommendations for remediation, specifying what needs to be fixed and its level of urgency.

The report serves as your action plan for addressing all issues and an auditable record of your due diligence, which is vital for legal compliance.

How to Prepare for Your Survey

A common mistake is assuming that a simple Type 1 FRA will cover all risks. This can have serious consequences:

Legal Exposure: If a non-intrusive FRA is deemed “not sufficient” for a building with known issues, you could be found liable in the event of a fire.
False Confidence: A non-intrusive FRA may miss a serious, hidden fire safety defect, giving you a false sense of security.
Costly Surprises: Discovering a major fire safety issue during a sale or a refinancing process can lead to significant and unexpected costs and delays.

Choosing the right FRA ensures your ongoing fire safety management is based on accurate, verified information. This not only keeps occupants safe but also protects your assets and reputation.

Take Control of Your Building’s Safety

A Fire Compartmentation Survey demystifies a critical aspect of fire safety. It gives you the clear, actionable information you need to protect your building, your residents, and your professional reputation.

Don’t wait for an issue to be identified.

Request a Fire Compartmentation Survey quote today to gain peace of mind and the assurance you need.

Start Your Fire Compartmentation Survey Quote

Accredited Fire Engineers — Nationwide Coverage

Fully Compliant with the Building Safety Act

Trusted by Property Managers Across the UK

Fast Turnaround — No Hidden Costs

Insurance-Approved EWS1 Reports

This quick, easy form takes just a few minutes to complete. Tell us your building’s key details and upload any existing plans, compartmentation drawings, previous fire-stopping or compartmentation reports, and photos of joints, doors or penetrations if you have them. The more you provide, the faster our accredited compartmentation experts can prepare an accurate, fixed-scope survey quote.

Step 1 of 3

Building Details

Building Name/Number(Required)

Building Postcode(Required)

Building Type

Building Height / Number of Floors(Required)

Approx. Total Floor Area (sqm / sq ft)

We only work with vetted, insured professionals accredited under UKAS-recognised schemes. Our specialists hold leading certifications such as IFC Certification, BM TRADA Q-Mark, BAFE, and ASFP membership, ensuring every fire compartmentation survey meets the highest standards.

Each quote includes a Due-Diligence Pack, so you can verify credentials with complete confidence.

Fire Compartmentation Surveys Made Simple

What is a Fire Compartmentation Survey?

Why It’s So Important

The Step-by-Step Survey Process

Step 1: Initial Enquiry and Information Gathering

Step 2: The On-site Inspection

Step 3: Assessment of Key Elements

Step 4: The Final Report

How to Prepare for Your Survey

Start Your Fire Compartmentation Survey Quote

Accredited Fire Engineers — Nationwide Coverage

Fully Compliant with the Building Safety Act

Trusted by Property Managers Across the UK

Fast Turnaround — No Hidden Costs

Insurance-Approved EWS1 Reports

Accredited Fire Engineers — Nationwide Coverage

Fully Compliant with the Building Safety Act

Trusted by Property Managers Across the UK

Fast Turnaround — No Hidden Costs

Insurance-Approved EWS1 Reports

Building Details

Floor Plans, Fire Reports & Other Documents

Compliance Assured

Resources

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