What is Fire Compartmentation?
Fire compartmentation divides a building into fire-resisting compartments using walls, floors, doors and protected enclosures. Its purpose is to limit the spread of fire and smoke, protect escape routes and give occupants time to evacuate. Compartmentation is a fundamental part of a building’s passive fire protection.
Why compartmentation matters
Even a small breach in a compartment line — an unsealed pipe penetration, a gap above a suspended ceiling or a damaged fire barrier — can allow fire and smoke to spread between compartments. These defects are often hidden within ceiling voids, risers and service routes, which is why a specialist survey is needed to find them.
When is a Compartmentation Survey required?
A survey may be appropriate when a Fire Risk Assessment raises concerns about fire separation, before or after building alterations, when purchasing or taking over management of a building, or where the condition of compartmentation is simply unknown — common in older or repeatedly modified buildings.
How compartment boundaries are assessed
Our surveyor examines accessible compartment lines and enclosure boundaries, including:
- Service penetrations and fire-stopping around pipes and cables
- Ceiling and floor voids above and below compartment lines
- Risers, shafts and service cupboards
- Junctions between walls, floors and structural elements
- Fire dampers and protected escape routes where accessible
Common fire-stopping and separation deficiencies
Typical findings include unsealed or poorly sealed service penetrations, missing or damaged fire-stopping, gaps at wall and floor junctions, compromised barriers within voids and historic alterations that have breached compartment lines without reinstatement.
What does a survey involve?
The survey is a visual inspection of accessible areas, using appropriate equipment to examine voids and concealed spaces where safe access is possible. Findings are recorded location by location with photographs, so you can see exactly what was found and where.
What information is included in the report?
You receive a written report setting out the areas inspected, the deficiencies identified, photographic evidence and recommended remedial actions. Where appropriate, findings are prioritised so remedial work can be planned in a practical order. The survey is an inspection and reporting service; remedial installation work is not included.
When an FRA may recommend a further survey
A Fire Risk Assessment may identify potential weaknesses in fire separation and recommend a specialist Compartmentation Survey to investigate further. OJ can provide both services, giving a clear continuation from assessment findings to detailed investigation and recommendations.