United Kingdom compartmentation surveys
Fire compartmentation surveys in the United Kingdom
A written record of your building's fire compartmentation, covering defects and remedial priorities.
About fire compartmentation surveys
What the service covers
A fire compartmentation survey examines the passive fire protection built into a building's structure: the walls, floors, ceilings, fire doors and the seals around service penetrations that together divide a building into separate fire-resisting zones. The purpose of those zones is to slow the spread of fire and smoke long enough for occupants to evacuate and for the fire service to respond. When any one element is breached, damaged or incorrectly installed, the integrity of the whole compartment is reduced. The survey produces a written record of every element inspected, photographs of defects found, and a schedule of remedial work ranked by severity.
It suits responsible persons under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including building owners, managing agents and facilities managers in England and Wales, as well as duty holders under the equivalent Scottish and Northern Irish legislation. Blocks of flats, care homes, hotels, offices, schools and warehouses are the building types most commonly surveyed, particularly where recent building work may have disturbed fire-stopping around new cables, pipes or ductwork. Book a date and a specialist will carry out the survey and provide a written report.
Key details at a glance
This page covers fire compartmentation surveys in the United Kingdom, explaining what the inspection involves and who it is for.
Situations where a compartmentation survey is the right next step
Does this situation apply to you?
- A building has been through a refurbishment and nobody confirmed whether fire-stopping was reinstated correctly around penetrations.
- A fire door inspection has flagged gaps at the frame head and you need a full picture of the compartment lines they sit within.
- A block of flats is changing managing agent and the incoming party wants current written evidence of compartmentation integrity.
- Your insurer or a lender has asked for documented proof that floors and walls perform to their original fire-resistance specification.
- Services such as new electrical runs or pipework have been threaded through compartment walls and no sign-off record exists.
- A fire risk assessment has recommended a compartmentation survey as a follow-up action and the deadline is approaching.
How it works
Steps for Fire compartmentation surveys
Scope review
The specialist confirms the building type, floor count and construction records before arriving, so the survey covers every compartment line relevant to that structure.
Physical inspection
Each wall, floor, ceiling void and service penetration is checked in turn, with the specialist recording where fire-stopping is absent, degraded or incorrectly installed.
Photographic logging
Every defect is photographed in place and assigned a reference number that ties the image to its exact location on the floor plan.
Written report
A compartmentation survey report is produced detailing each defect, its location, the relevant standard and the remedial action required.
What you get
Surveyed and reported across the United Kingdom
- Pricing set out in writing. The cost is confirmed at booking, so you know the figure before the specialist arrives.
- A written survey report. The specialist produces a detailed written record of every compartmentation defect found.
- Specialists who know the area. Specialists across the UK have surveyed a wide range of building types and construction methods.
- Book at your own pace. Read the details, decide when you are ready, and book only when you are satisfied.
What's involved
What a fire compartmentation survey covers
Passive fire protection and why it matters
Compartmentation is the practice of dividing a building into fire-resistant sections using walls, floors, doors and seals. When a fire starts in one area, intact compartmentation slows its spread, giving occupants time to leave and reducing the damage to the rest of the building. A survey checks whether that protection is actually in place and working as intended.
What the specialist looks at
The specialist examines fire-rated walls and floors for breaches, checks that fire doors are correctly fitted and self-closing, and inspects service penetrations where cables, pipes and ductwork pass through compartment lines. Any gap, missing intumescent seal or damaged door frame is recorded in the written report.
Buildings that typically need a survey
Purpose-built blocks of flats, care homes, hotels, schools, hospitals and commercial premises with multiple tenants are the most common building types. Any structure where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies and where passive fire protection forms part of the fire strategy is a candidate for a compartmentation survey.
What the report contains
The report lists each defect found, its location and a photograph where relevant. Defects are typically graded by urgency so whoever manages the building can prioritise remedial work. The report can be shared with insurers, local fire authorities or building owners as a record of the condition on the day of the visit.
Fire compartmentation surveys across the United Kingdom
Specialists carry out fire compartmentation surveys across Birmingham · Edinburgh · Glasgow · Leeds · Liverpool · London · Manchester · Sheffield and many more areas; give the address and building type and a specialist covering that county will be in touch.
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Related compartmentation surveys
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Book a compartmentation survey
Tell us the building address and how it is used, and a specialist will carry out the survey and produce a written report at the set price.