Why Building Surveys Are Important For Passive Fire Protection

A building survey is used to inspect the various passive fire protection systems that are installed in a building, and it is important to have these safeguards regularly checked to ensure that they work properly if a fire breaks out.

The cost of ignoring passive fire protection measures can be devastating. If measures designed to hinder the spread of fire and smoke between different areas of the building don’t work properly when needed, the structure of the building is put at risk and the evacuation of occupants may be compromised, posing a hazard to life and safety.

In recent years, numerous incidents have highlighted the critical importance of passive fire protection measures, such as the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, in which inadequate passive fire protection contributed to tragic consequences.

So, Where Do Building Surveys Come Into The Picture?

A building survey helps facilities managers accurately assess the integrity and effectiveness of the property’s passive fire protection infrastructure, and is useful under the following circumstances:

1. New Buildings Or Renovations:

when a new building is constructed on site or an existing one undergoes significant renovations or conversion, a new building survey is necessary to ensure that your passive fire protection measures are correctly installed and are set up to function properly.

2. Changing Building Usage:

if the usage of a building changes – eg. from an office space to residential apartments – a building survey will check that the building’s fire protection measures are sufficient and relevant for its new purpose.

3. After A Fire:

if a fire takes place in a building, even on a minor scale, we strongly recommend a passive fire protection survey to assess any damage to the building’s fire protection systems, determine if any inefficiencies hindered the effectiveness of the system during the fire, and determine what repairs, replacements, and upgrades are necessary to avoid a repetition.

4. Routine Safety Checks:

regular building surveys are a good practice to maintain the safety of the building’s occupants and physical structure, helping identify potential issues early so that they can be addressed promptly.

5. Legal And Regulatory Compliance:

the ultimate purpose of a building survey is to protect life and property, but they also play a role in demonstrating compliance with fire safety regulations and standards. A summary of fire safety guidance for responsible persons and those with legal duty for fire safety can be found here.

Building Surveys And Consultancy Services From IFI Group

Our bespoke building surveys cover all elements of passive fire protection, verifying the adequacy of your fire-resistant systems and components. For help establishing a vital line of defence to protect both your building structure and its users, please call our passive fire protection experts today on 01522 904189.