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Fire stopping and compartmentation inspections

Firestopping measures play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of fire compartmentation in buildings. Yet, defects can be difficult to identify once construction is complete or when buildings have been altered over time. Whatever stage of the design, construction, or refurbishment you are at, our firestopping inspection and fire compartmentation survey services assess what is actually there – identifying defects and vulnerabilities that could compromise compartmentation, and providing the evidence needed to understand risk and prioritise remedial action.

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WHAT WE ASSESS

Our fire compartmentation inspections provide far more than simply a list of defects. We help you understand whether compartmentation has been compromised and what action is needed.

Fire compartments are areas of a building designed to limit the spread of fire and smoke, typically formed by fire-resisting walls, floors, and ceilings. However, these barriers are often not continuous, as doors, service penetrations, joints, and other openings can interrupt lines of fire resistance. As such, each needs to be appropriately detailed to ensure maintenance of the intended level of protection. Firestopping plays an immensely important role, as it seals and protects openings and gaps with fire-resisting elements to maintain compartmentation.

A fire compartmentation survey provides a detailed assessment of a building’s fire-resisting barriers and the firestopping used around penetrations, joints, and interfaces. Our specialists assess all measures present, identifying defects, alterations, and any areas where the integrity of compartmentation may have been compromised. The latter is particularly important in existing buildings, where records might be incomplete, services may have been altered, and previous works may have, often unknowingly, affected fire-resisting construction. Our inspections provide the evidence needed to understand the condition of compartmentation, assess the significance of findings, and determine where further investigation or remedial action may be required.

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OUR APPROACH

From inspection to your informed understanding

Our firestopping and fire compartmentation inspection services follow a similar process and are closely related, but they are not the same – nor do they serve the same purpose. While a firestopping survey reviews the seals used around service penetrations, voids, and joints, a fire compartmentation survey looks more broadly at the building’s fire-resisting compartments. It considers the condition and integrity of walls, floors, ceilings, risers, shafts, fire doors, cavity barriers, and firestopping as part of the overall compartmentation strategy.

  • Before assessing any individual areas, our first step is always to consider the building’s construction, use, available information, and compartmentation arrangements. This foundational work is important to help our specialists understand the wider context of the building and specifically what they are looking at, before identifying areas where alterations, services, or previous works may warrant closer attention.

  • Our trained inspectors assess accessible fire-resisting construction and firestopping, looking at penetrations, joints, interfaces, and other details that could affect the integrity of compartmentation. We record findings digitally, supported by photographs and location information, creating a detailed evidence base for each inspection.

  • Findings are considered in context and not simply presented as a list of defects. We identify areas where compartmentation may have been compromised and help establish priorities, so you can understand which issues require attention and where further investigation may be appropriate. At this stage, we may need to make fire engineering judgments, whereby our fire engineers use technical knowledge, interrogate the available evidence and data, and make a professional decision as to the correct next steps for your project.

  • Our reports are designed to help you – and your project – continue to move forward. You will gain a thorough understanding of what is required, whether targeted firestopping remediation, further investigation, repair, or a wider programme of works that can be phased according to risk and priorities and budget.

WHAT SETS OUR INSPECTIONS APART

Trusted fire engineering at every stage

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places responsibility on the responsible person – usually the building owner or manager – to ensure fire safety measures are in place and appropriately maintained. What you need from us is peace of mind that you have commissioned a competent company and that you will receive a thoroughly explained report and advice on your next steps.

Third-party accredited expertise

Our passive fire protection expertise is supported by recognised third-party certification, including LPCB/BRE 1531 and FIRAS. These schemes provide independent assessment of our competence in the installation and application of passive fire protection products and systems, underpinning the technical knowledge we bring to inspection and assessment work.

Looking beyond visible defects

Our inspections always consider firestopping and fire compartmentation in the wider context of the whole building. Our specialist teams take other details into account, including service works and recent alterations, as they review anything and everything that could compromise the integrity of compartmentation.

Documenting every finding

We record findings digitally, supported by photographs and location information, to create a detailed evidence base that aids your understanding of exactly what was assessed, the conclusions, and what needs to happen next.

Clear records as standard

Our surveys create structured records of inspection findings, meaning you can track issues over time and maintain a clear picture of the condition of fire-resisting construction across your building or estate. Furthermore, information from every inspection, installation, and any remedial works – all related to your building’s fire safety – will live in your digital dashboard, so they can be recalled and reviewed at any time.

Expert in complex buildings

We work across individual buildings and larger portfolios, including complex and occupied environments where alterations, multiple services, and incomplete historical records make it difficult to establish the condition of compartmentation – hence our insistence that we look at so much more than the fire compartments alone.

Planned preventative maintenance

Inspection and resulting action plan complete, your fire safety responsibilities do not end there. Fire compartmentation needs to be monitored and maintained throughout the building’s life, particularly following any alterations or changes to services, which can affect fire-resistant barriers. Our planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes offer you a structured  and reliable approach to ongoing inspection and keeping remedial requirements under review.

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A visible defect usually only tells part of the story. This is where expert understanding and technical judgment are invaluable in passive fire protection.

Industries we work with

Sectors we support

No two buildings face the same fire safety challenges, which is why we tailor our services to the unique risks, regulations, and operational demands of every sector – from healthcare and hospitality to education, residential, and commercial environments.

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Protect your fire safety investment with planned preventative maintenance

Fire safety does not stop once systems have been installed – it is an ongoing responsibility that should never be considered a box-ticking exercise. Our planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes provide scheduled inspections, servicing, testing, and repairs to keep your fire protection systems compliant and reliable in the moment they are needed.

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Complete fire safety assurance

We deliver all fire safety services in line with current legislation, guidance, and third-party accreditation standards.

Technical expertise and practical delivery

Combining specialist fire safety knowledge with practical experience, we bridge the gap between strategy and reality to deliver greater certainty, informed investment decisions, and confidence in managing assets.

Nationwide coverage

Our UK-wide network provides consistent expertise wherever your buildings are located, supporting sprawling estates and multi-site portfolios.

An end-to-end service

Bringing together specialist consultancy, inspections, remediation, and installation, we provide a complete view of fire safety – from initial assessment through to long-term assurance and evidence.

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Whether you’re looking for a service, sector, resource, or technical guidance, quickly find the expertise and support you need to move forward with confidence.

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HOW CAN WE HELP?

Want to better understand your building’s fire compartmentation?

Our specialists can help you understand what is in place and correct, as well as identify areas where fire-resisting construction may have been compromised. Get a clearer picture of what is going on behind your walls and determine what needs further investigation.