A fire compartmentation survey is typically conducted on buildings to assess and ensure that adequate fire compartmentation measures are in place. Fire compartmentation is a crucial aspect of fire safety design and involves dividing a building into separate compartments or zones to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. The specific buildings that may require a fire compartmentation survey include:
• Commercial buildings
• Residential buildings with communal corridors and lobbies
• Industrial buildings
• Education institutions
• Healthcare facilities
• Public/Government buildings
• Transportation hubs
• Entertainment venues
Regular surveys and inspections help ensure that fire compartmentation measures are maintained and that any issues are identified and addressed promptly to enhance overall fire safety within a building.

There is no definitive answer to this question. The duration will vary depending on the size/type of building and the quantity of compartmentation.

1. 1. Observational 

   Non-intrusive visual inspection of compartment walls, soffits, voids, cavities on the means of escape, protected stair cores and high-risk areas. We will identify all life cycle, maintenance, and latent defects with a technical written and photographed report.  

   A quotation cannot be populated from this report. 

     

   2. Sectional – Visual 

   Access required to typically 3 floors. Inspection to sections of the floor template (not the whole floor), across several levels (not all levels). This will allow us to make an informed decision on the condition of the compartmentation, using the balance of probability. It will identify breaches in compartmentation walls/soffits, voids, cavities within the means of escape, protected stair cores and high-risk areas. Information is captured in specialist software for reporting. Floor layout drawings will be required free of charge.  

   Budget costs can be produced on a pro-rata basis from this report. 

     

   3. Sectional – Intrusive 

   As per Sectional – Visual but previously inaccessible areas will be inspected by drilling a small hole through the substrate to enable an inspection by use of a borescope. A larger core drill may then be employed for opening up soffits, voids and cavities as required. Holes will be temporarily filled/covered on completion. 

   Budget costs can be produced from this report but with further increased detail. 

     

   4. Full – Visual 

   Access required to all parts of the building where all breaches in compartmentation walls, voids, cavities in the means of escape, protected stair cores, high risk and sleeping areas are identified. Information is captured in specialist software for reporting. Floor layout drawings will be required.  

   A full remediation cost can be produced from the information detailed in this report with the

   exclusion of any inaccessible areas. 

     

   5. Full – Intrusive 

   As per Full – Visual but previously inaccessible areas will be inspected by use of borescope and/or opening up soffits, voids and cavities as required.  

   A full remediation cost can be produced from the information detailed in this report. 

Yes, fire compartmentation surveys are typically a component of a comprehensive fire risk assessment. A fire risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of a building or premises to identify potential fire hazards, assess the risk of fire, and determine the effectiveness of existing fire safety measures. Fire compartmentation surveys specifically focus on evaluating the effectiveness of compartmentalisation measures within a building.