Fire Stopping Birmingham

Our fire compartmentation survey is a comprehensive inspection of every element that contributes to a building’s fire strategy. We assess the condition of compartment walls and floors, service penetrations, voids, risers, dampers, ceilings and fire doors to build a complete picture of compartmentation integrity.

During the survey, our team inspects the following areas:

• Compartment walls and floors between fire-rated sections of the building
• Service penetrations where pipes, cables and ducts pass through fire barriers
• Ceiling voids and floor voids where fire and smoke can travel undetected
• Risers and plant rooms where multiple services converge
• Fire doors and fire door frames for correct installation, fit and certification
• Dampers and fire-rated closers within ventilation and ductwork systems
• Means of escape corridors and stairwell compartmentation

We carry out a detailed inspection of each area, checking for missing, damaged or incorrectly installed fire stopping. Every breach is recorded with photographic evidence and categorised by risk level.

The survey output is a comprehensive report covering all parts of the building that were inspected. It identifies where fire resisting walls and floors have been compromised, documents the types of compartmentation failures found, and provides a prioritised schedule of remedial works needed to restore compliance.

The Importance of Fire Stopping Surveys for Fire Safety

Fire stopping is a legal requirement in the UK. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires responsible persons to maintain fire compartmentation and ensure that passive fire protection systems remain effective. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, and in the case should a fire event unfortunately occur, inadequate compartmentation can have devastating consequences.

Breaches in fire compartmentation allow fire and smoke to spread between compartments, reducing the time available for safe evacuation. Effective fire stopping prevents the spread of fire and restricts the spread of smoke through a building, protecting means of escape routes and giving occupants more time to reach safety.

A fire risk assessment often identifies the need for a compartmentation survey as a follow-up action. Our survey provides the documented evidence needed to demonstrate compliance with fire safety regulations. This is essential for building management, insurance purposes and regulatory inspections.

Buildings change over time. Refurbishment works, new service installations and general wear all introduce high risk breach points. Regular surveys ensure these are identified and addressed before they compromise the building’s fire protection system and strategy.