Maintaining effective fire compartmentation in buildings is essential, as modifications to services or the building's fabric can lead to failures that put lives and property at risk. In our latest article, we delve into what a comprehensive fire compartmentation surveys should cover, the critical areas to inspect, and the best practices for carrying them out.
What is Fire Compartmentation?
Fire compartmentation involves sub-dividing buildings into compartments separated by fire-resistant walls or floors. The purpose is to contain a fire for a specified period, therefore limiting its growth and providing critical time for the safe evacuation of people and for emergency services to respond. Building owners and managers are responsible for ensuring that fire compartments are checked regularly and maintained. Failure to do so can result in prosecution and financial penalties.
Legislation and Regulations
In England, fire compartmentation is governed primarily by the Building Regulations 2010, specifically Approved Document B (Fire Safety), , which provides guidance on internal fire spread and passive fire precautions to ensure compartmentation limits the spread of fire within buildings. This document outlines requirements for fire-resistant walls, floors, and doors to create effective compartments within a building. Additionally, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Â mandates that employers and building owners carry out fire risk assessments and implement appropriate fire safety measures, including maintaining compartmentation. The Fire Safety Act 2021 Â Â further clarifies responsibilities for fire safety in multi-occupied residential buildings, reinforcing the importance of compartmentation. For detailed technical guidance, the British Standard BS 9999:2017 Â Â offers a code of practice for fire safety in building design, emphasising compartmentation strategies.
Our Approach
At Firetech, when we undertake a compartmentation survey, our purpose is twofold: first, to identify any issues of non-compliance, and then to prescribe the most appropriate remediation solutions, where possible referencing manufacturers' tested details. We use bespoke compliance software to capture all findings and recommendations through to completion of remediation works, creating a golden thread of information. Prior to undertaking each project, we produce a project-specific Survey Scope Document, clearly defining what is to be checked and how.
Method
Firstly, the building's fire strategy should be established. If fire strategy drawings cannot be obtained, then it may be possible to make assumptions. Generally, all means of escape, risers, and hazard rooms such as kitchens require fire compartmentation. Even if fire strategy drawings are available, they may no longer be accurate due to changes in a building's use or alteration works.
It's important to determine if a survey is to be visual only or visual and destructive. If a destructive survey is required, an appropriate percentage of items to undergo destructive testing should be determined. If there are non-demountable ceilings, then it is recommended that measures are taken to allow compartment lines above them to be checked; these can include the installation of access panels or the use of illuminated endoscope cameras.
Using a smartphone or tablet and specialised compliance software, the surveyor, on identifying a compartmentation issue, 'drops a pin' to mark the location on a layout plan, takes 'before' photos, records sizes and details of any service penetrations. They then allocate a manufacturer's standard detail and provide any other relevant information such as any access restrictions. If the surveyor is unable to allocate a manufacturer's standard detail, this should be highlighted so that further investigation can be carried out.
What Should be Checked?
Service Penetrations: Identify service penetrations and record their type, such as cable trays, conduits, pipework, etc. If additional items such as collars for combustible pipes or insulation are required, this is also documented.
Ductwork: Check to see if fire dampers are present and installed in the correct positions. If there are compartmentation breaches around dampers, it is important to try and identify the damper manufacturer's make and model so that remediation can be proposed in accordance with the damper manufacturer's certification.
Linear Seals: Any linear seals, such as at the heads or ends of walls, should be checked. Drywall walls may have a deflection head detail installed; these can typically be identified by the presence of plasterboard fillets fixed above the head track. If a deflection head detail is installed correctly, a linear seal is not required.
Cavities: Cavities can be present in locations such as ceiling voids, under raised access floors, and edges of slabs. Suitable materials tested and certified for installation as cavity barriers may include Firefly for ceiling voids, AIM & Siderise RF for below raised access floors, and Rockwool SP Firestop for slab edges. To comply with building regulations, all cavities require cavity barriers to be installed at a maximum of every 20 metres and provide a fire resistance of at least 30 minutes integrity and 15 minutes insulation.
Wall Construction: Wall construction should be assessed to ensure that it meets the required level of fire resistance. Drywalls must be taped and jointed, including screw heads. Any firestopping installed to a non-compliant wall will also be non-compliant.
Existing Firestopping: Any existing firestopping should be closely inspected to check it has been installed in accordance with manufacturers' certification.
Electrical Socket Boxes: These should be fitted with putty pads in order to maintain fire compartmentation. The removal and replacement of socket box covers should be undertaken by a suitably qualified person.
Floor Penetrations: The full area of the floor should be checked, including risers. Consideration should be given to load-bearing requirements if there is a possibility that a person may stand on a barrier. In some cases, risers may not require firestopping if they are deemed protective shafts; design information such as fire strategy drawings may be able to determine when this is the case.
Structural Steelwork: Any structural steelwork that forms part of a compartment wall should be fire-protected to the same level of fire resistance as the wall. It may not be within a compartmentation survey's remit to check structural steelwork that does not form part of a fire compartment line, but should any issues be observed, there is a duty of care to note these on the survey and inform the client
Other Things to Consider
·Always check above services, as this is very often where firestopping is missed. Use a camera or mirrors to assist where access is difficult. If areas cannot be checked due to obscuring services, fixed ceilings, or occupied rooms, this should be documented.
Founded 30 years ago, Firetech are one of the UK's most knowledgeable and trusted passive fire protection contractors. If you would like to speak to us about fire compartmentation in your building, follow the link below.