Working together to improve fire safety
Working together to improve fire safety
If you’ve had a Fire Risk Assessment undertaken, or you’ve had a visit from the Fire Service, it may have been recommended that you have a Fire Compartmentation Survey undertaken. The likely reason for this, is that it’s been identified that your building, in its current state, is unlikely to prevent the spread of smoke or flames in the event of a fire, and therefore putting lives at risk.
In some premises, the risk of a fire may not create a significant risk to life and the likely consequence is property damage and business interruption, which in itself can be costly. However, in other premises, where people sleep, they may be unaware of the development of a fire, the risk then becomes much higher. Add into the mix people who may have mobility issues, or neurological impairments, such as in Care Homes, and then the risk to life becomes very significant.
What is the purpose of a Fire Compartmentation Survey?
When a Fire Compartmentation is recommended, it’s based on the fact that it is considered in the event of a fire, there is real possibility of there being a loss of life, due to the spread of fire and smoke.
Typically, in a Care Home, the evacuation strategy is to move residents from the fire source compartment, horizontally in to the next compartment which is unaffected by a fire, and if necessary, progressively move residents horizontally again, away from the fire. The fire evacuation strategy is only workable providing that the fire compartment walls, floors and ceilings are able to restrict the spread of fire and smoke. To do this, we must understand the extent and location of any breaches in compartmentation.
A compartmentation survey is an intrusive survey and will require the surveyor to access roof, ceiling and floor voids as well as looking behind walls, access hatches, service risers, boxings etc., to identify any breaches in fire compartmentation. By identifying such breaches, remedial work can be undertaken and the risk from fire spread and smoke can be minimised.
Can anyone carry out a Fire Compartmentation Survey?
You must be competent to carry out a Compartmentation Survey. The Surveyor must have a thorough understanding of different building types, how these are put together and the materials used in their construction. This understanding should be backed up with relevant qualifications and experience.
Our experienced Surveyors will undertake Fire Compartmentation Survey at your premises to assess whether the existing fire compartment walls (including doors therein), floors, ceilings etc. within the property are likely to restrict the potential spread of fire and smoke for the required period of time.
Unfortunately, breaches of compartmentation are far too common, this can be down to bad design or the result of poor workmanship!
Find Out More
Should you require any advice, help, or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Fire Safety Advisers, give us a call today on 01332 668877.
