Fire Compartmentation Survey
A type 1 fire risk assessment will normally involve a visual assessment, a representative sample of current compartmentation within a building but does not involve a full compartmentation survey.
Sample inspections of roof voids, electrical and riser cupboards and voids above ceiling tiles etc at the time of a fire risk assessment may identify potential breaks in compartmentation and a full compartmentation survey may be recommended.
A full compartmentation survey will look at all areas within a property to assess the overall condition of the existing fire compartments and how well a property can help to prevent the rapid spread of smoke and fire for the required period of time. It will assess how well escape routes are protected and identify any potential risks and breaches within the property.
Our compartmentation surveys are tailored to your individual building to ensure all non-compliant areas are identified. Once the assessment has been completed you will receive a full written report detailing all areas that are non-compliant, including photographic evidence.
If required we can also help you with any advice, and ongoing support, regarding those actions identified within the report.
Overview
The primary objective of fire compartmentation is to divide a premises into ‘fire compartments’ which would prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke. Correct compartmentation will also protect escape routes and high risk areas.
Compartmentation is a crucial aspect of passive fire safety that is often overlooked due to the fact a lot of ‘high risk’ areas are hidden e.g. in service cupboards, above false ceilings and around cable penetrations.
The LGA states that correct Compartmentation should minimise the risk of spread of fire:
- From flat to flat
- From a flat to the escape routes (common parts)
- Via rubbish chutes
- Via lifts
- From lower ground floor/ground floor parking areas
- From other occupants where occupancy is shared e.g above a shop
- From electrical and service cupboards
- From internal bin stores
- From concealed voids and cavities
Day to day living, refurbishments and maintenance works can mean compliant levels of compartmentation changes constantly within a property and is something that should be regularly checked to ensure legal requirements within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are both achieved and maintained. For example, a compartmentation survey is also required to ensure that a STAY PUT policy can be implemented.
Considerations
Click here to see an example Fire Compartmentation Survey.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that the ‘responsible person’ must ensure that the identified fire compartmentation in their buildings is robust, being adequately managed and maintained, ensuring a safe means of escape is available at all times for evacuation purposes.
Why Choose UK Fire Consulting?
It is vital that those engaged to carry out a full compartmentation survey have the necessary levels of competence to undertake the task professionally and thoroughly.
The Lease advisory service states – “The law does not say who is allowed to carry out a fire risk assessment. However, the person must be competent enough to complete a ‘suitable and sufficient’ assessment of that particular building.
Each Fire Compartmentation survey is unique and individually priced.
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