Is Fire Compartmentation Surveying a Legal Requirement?

In 2022, there were 185,437 fires attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England. This represents a significant increase of 28% from the previous year.?

While the majority (115,673) of these fires were secondary (minimal damage casualties), there were 67,389 primary fires (substantial damage and casualties). This includes dwelling fires, other buildings and outdoor fires, and road and vehicle fires.?

The most common causes of these fires were faulty, unattended or misused equipment and appliances. Neglected ignition sources were also significant factors, along with natural causes.?

However, fire compartmentation is often overlooked. While considering everyday items as fire causes is important, property design is crucial too. For instance, an open arch from the kitchen to your office or living room may look modern, but it won't prevent fire spread. With that being said, is fire compartmentation a legal requirement, alongside a survey??

Is a Fire Compartmentation Survey a Legal Requirement??

Disastrously, having a regular fire compartmentation survey is not a legal requirement.?

However, undertaking a yearly fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Building Regulations 2010 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. As such, this may encourage a fire compartmentation survey.?

What Are the Fire Compartmentation Survey Regulations??

While having a fire compartmentation is not a legal requirement, the way in which they are performed is strictly regulated. The fire compartmentation survey regulations include:?

Who Can Carry Out a Fire Compartmentation Survey??

A fire compartmentation survey must be conducted by a ‘competent individual’ with the necessary qualifications, skills and experience. This is crucial due to the survey’s intrusive nature, which requires in-depth knowledge of building structures, materials, design, fire safety and fire stopping methods.?

What Should a Fire Compartmentation Survey Include??

In addition, a fire compartmentation survey must include:?

• A visual check of fire compartments and all compartmentation lines, including seals and fire doors.?
• An inspection of fire seals in service penetrations and evaluating sealing materials for fire rating and installation.?
• A review of the condition of installed fire doors and a report on unprotected structural steel affecting compartmentation.?
• Documentation of non-conformances with details on locations, materials, dimensions, legislation breaches, remediation paths, access requirements and repair cost estimates.?
• An action plan with photos, notes on defects and recommendations for fixes.?

What Are Advantages of a Fire Compartmentation Survey??

You may think a fire compartmentation survey is unnecessary, however, we believe it to be incredibly important as it can protect your occupants and property. In addition, the advantages of an effective compartmentation survey include:?

• Critical for high-risk premises, such as university halls, hotels, and high-rise buildings.?
• Ensures sufficient evacuation time for occupants, especially in vulnerable settings, including care homes and hospitals.?
• Maintains and updates effective fire compartmentation systems and structures.?
• Prevents widespread damage by ensuring fire compartmentation systems function properly.?
• Protects people who may need extra time to evacuate, such as the elderly or disabled.?

Is Fire Compartmentation a Legal Requirement??

Yes, fire compartmentation is a legal requirement as stipulated by the Building Safety Act (2022), specifically for maintenance and provision.?

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For general passive fire protection, we encourage you to refer to the Fire Safety Act 2021, Building (Amendment) Regulations of 2018 and Association of Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP). These also cover levels of fire resistance and solutions for specific scenarios.?

What Are the Fire Compartmentation Regulations??

As stipulated by Fire Safety: Approved Document B, both commercial and residential with multiple occupants must be divided into self-contained compartments. This can be achieved using fire-resistant doors, walls, floors, ceilings, pipes and ducts. The fire compartmentation regulations include:?

Fire Doors:?

All fire doors must be regularly inspected. In buildings over 11 metres, communal doors need quarterly checks and flat entrance doors require annual checks. Residents must be informed about the importance of fire doors. Non-compliance can lead to fines or criminal charges.?

Fire Walls:?

Compartment walls must prevent fire spread for a specified duration. Service openings and joints must be sealed with fire-resistant materials to maintain effectiveness. Whereas, cavity barriers are used between adjacent walls, especially in multi-story buildings, and must be maintained to prevent breaches.?

Fire Floors and Ceilings:?

Floors and ceilings must also contain fire for a specified time. This may require fire-resistant barriers, dampers, pipe collars and sealants to protect infrastructure passing through compartments.?

Fire Pipes and Ducts:?

Pipes and ducts must be protected with fire-resistant solutions. Service penetrations, often created during installations, can breach compartments, making periodic surveys necessary even in newer buildings.?

What Are the Advantages of Fire Compartmentation??

Having the correct fire compartmentation is the difference between life and death, a thriving business or a damaged property. As such, the many advantages of fire compartmentation include:?

• Assists fire services in managing and extinguishing the fire more effectively.?
• Helps prevent explosions in high-risk areas by containing the fire before it reaches hazardous materials.?
• Keeps escape routes clear, enhancing occupant safety.?
• Maintains the building’s fire protection rating and preserves structural integrity.?
• Provides up to four hours of protection, allowing more time for occupant evacuation.?
• Reduces overall damage to the building and its contents.?
• Slows the spread of fire and smoke by containing them within compartments.?

Efficient Fire Compartmentation Surveys at GRJ Surveying?

While a fire compartmentation survey is not a legal requirement, having the correct fire compartmentation is. Even if you are sure your building is compliant, we encourage you to undertake an annual survey with GRJ Surveying. If we have any recommendations, our sister company, GRJ Contracting, can amend your structure.?

We are accredited by the IFC, ISO 9001, ASFP, Cyber Essentials, Constructionline Gold, CHAS, SafeContractor and BM Trada. Read our previous article to learn more about fire compartmentation. Alternatively, contact us today with any questions.?

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