What compartmentation is
Compartmentation uses walls, floors and ceilings with a rated fire resistance to hold back a fire in one area. This gives people time to escape and the fire service time to attend. It matters particularly in older commercial buildings, buildings with flats above shops, and premises with changing layouts over the years.
Where it often fails
- Holes where cables, pipes and ducts pass through walls and floors and have not been sealed
- Gaps above suspended ceilings where walls stop at ceiling height
- Damaged or propped-open fire doors
- Walls that were cut into or removed in previous alterations
- Voids, such as roof spaces and service risers, that link compartments
- Unsuitable materials used to patch gaps
The work we carry out
As builders, we construct and repair the fabric of compartmentation, working to the fire strategy and specifications for the building. This can include building new fire-resisting walls and floors, closing gaps and cavities, installing fire stopping around service penetrations with tested products, fitting fire barriers in roof spaces, and making good where earlier work has left holes. Work is done to the specification of the responsible person's fire risk assessment or a fire engineer, rather than guesswork, and installation of fire doors and similar items is coordinated with suitably qualified specialists where needed.
Responsibility
For most non-domestic premises, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a nominated responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment and keep fire safety measures in place. Guidance is available at GOV.UK. Any remedial action recommended by a risk assessment can be priced and carried out as building works.
Local buildings
Newcastle and Tynemouth have many older properties with mixed uses, such as shops with flats or offices above, converted warehouses and former houses used as businesses. Adapting them often creates unprotected openings, so it is worth checking after any conversion or alteration. See also mezzanine floors and industrial partition walls, which both affect fire safety.
Fire-related alterations are subject to Building Regulations, see the Planning Portal.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my building has proper compartmentation?
A fire risk assessment, and sometimes a specialist fire stopping survey, can identify gaps. Visible holes in walls and ceilings, and unsealed service penetrations, are common signs of trouble.
Can any filler be used to seal gaps?
No. Fire stopping must use products tested for the application, installed as specified. Ordinary fillers or foam do not provide the required fire resistance.
