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Fire compartmentation involves dividing a building into separate areas, each with fire-resistant walls and floors to stop the rapid spread of heat, smoke, and toxic gases if a fire occurs. It’s a crucial strategy that can save lives and reduce property damage, as it restricts the spread of fire and affords occupants of the property enough time to evacuate safely and for Fire and Rescue Services to arrive on the scene.

Like all passive fire safety measures, however, compartmentation must be checked regularly during fire inspections to ensure effectiveness. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of compartmentation surveys and why they are essential.

What Information Does A Compartmentation Survey Provide?

The results of compartmentation surveys are comprehensive and invaluable for building owners and managers. They include:

• An assessment of the compartmentation arrangements for the property or a definition of the compartmentation strategy.
• A detailed visual inspection of existing fire compartmentation in roof voids, floors, walls, basements, floor and ceiling voids, risers, and shafts.
• A floorplan showing compartmentation, damper locations, breaches, and obvious fire risks.
• An assessment of the condition of structures that provide fire compartmentation and any defects in accordance with Building Regulations guidance and relevant British Standards.
• A clear action plan outlining the nature and location of defects, supported by photographic evidence, and suggested corrective actions to be taken.

Ensuring Correct Installation To Maximise Effectiveness

The efficiency of compartmentation hinges on several factors, such as the type and suitability of materials, appropriate fire-resistant sealing, and compliance with the design principles. Surveyors meticulously assess these elements to ensure that fire-resistant materials function as intended when faced with the intense heat of a blaze.

However, it's essential to recognise that, as well as using the right fire-resistant materials, they should be correctly installed to ensure adequate protection. Poor installation inevitably renders fire-resistant materials impotent and undermines the entire compartmentation strategy.

Identifying Risks And Corrective Measures

Compartmentation surveys aim to pinpoint risks or shortcomings in the fire-resistant barriers within a building. Surveyors can comprehensively and accurately assess their effectiveness in a fire by scrutinising the barriers for breaches, gaps, or other issues that could compromise their integrity. The findings are then used to recommend corrective measures to ensure that compartmentation is robust and effective.

Delivering Protection In Non-Evacuation And Slow-Evacuation Settings

Effective compartmentation is of particular importance in buildings in which rapid evacuation may not be possible, such as apartments, hotels, and hospitals. Additionally, in settings where evacuation times may vary, successful compartmentation of a fire is crucial, offering an essential safety net that restricts the spread of smoke and flames, allowing occupants more time to escape, move to a different part of the building, or await assistance.

Complying With Fire Safety Regulations

The significance of compartmentation is reinforced by legal requirements, particularly The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Building Regulations: Approved Document B, which mandates the implementation of fire compartmentation in specific settings. This underlines the seriousness with which compartmentation is regarded as an effective way to preserve life and property during a fire.

Contact Us For Further Information

To find out more about our passive fire inspection services or to arrange a consultation with one of our team, please get in touch with IFI Group today.

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