Understanding The Importance Of Compartmentation Surveys
As a business owner, it is important to ensure that your premises comply with all safety regulations. One of these regulations involves maintaining the effectiveness of your building’s compartmentation. Through regular compartmentation surveys, you can maintain the integrity of the compartmentalized areas of your building. In this article, we will discuss the importance of compartmentation surveys and what they entail.
Compartmentation refers to the division of a building into smaller fire compartments that are meant to prevent or inhibit the spread of fire. These compartments should be separated by fire-resisting walls and floors, which are designed to withstand a specified period of fire and offer a protective barrier between other parts of the building. This barrier is meant to stop or slow the spread of fire and smoke, allowing occupants to escape safely and giving firefighters time to extinguish the flames.
Compartmentation surveys are a measure of the effectiveness of the fire-resisting barriers in a building. These surveys are conducted by fire safety professionals who assess the conditions of all fire-resisting barriers in the building. The survey is vital in identifying any breaches in the fire barriers and ensuring that a building’s compartmentation is compliant with building regulations.
During a compartmentation survey, a fire safety professional will inspect fire-restricting components such as walls, floors, and ceilings. The survey involves visual inspections of the components and may also include the use of equipment such as a thermal imaging camera or smoke tracer to identify any hidden breaches in the barriers. After completing the inspection, a report detailing any defects or breaches and remedial measures required will be produced.
Why Is Compartmentation Survey Important?
Compartmentation surveys are vital for the safety of the building occupants. If compartmentation is not maintained, fire and smoke can spread quickly, creating lethal conditions within the building. In the absence of fire resistance, fires can spread undetected, making rescue and escape difficult. The situation is compounded in large buildings where many people occupy different compartments, making it difficult to evacuate.
Additionally, non-compliant structures put businesses and property owners at risk of financial penalties or even imprisonment for non-compliance. It is, therefore, essential to carry out compartmentation surveys periodically to ensure that building safety measures remain effective.
When Should You Schedule Compartmentation Surveys?
Compartmentation surveys are conducted depending on the property’s occupancy and use. It is typically recommended that the survey is conducted every five years, but this can be more frequent for high-risk buildings or those under rigorous changes, such as alterations or extensions. Accommodation buildings, hospitals, and other high-risk properties should be monitored more frequently to avoid hazards.
Compartmentation surveys are also carried out to meet the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This order demands that building managers ensure the safety of the occupants of their establishments against fire.
What Happens After a Compartmentation Survey?
After the survey, an extensive report addressing any deficiencies with recommended solutions will be provided. Depending on the scale of the problem, a simple repair or maintenance work may be required or more extensive improvements. Any works requiring building regulation approval should be followed up with appropriate inspections to safeguard long term compliance.
It is important to understand that a compartmentation survey is not just for regulatory compliance, but it also serves as a valuable risk management tool, safeguarding the building occupants, the company, and the building’s physical integrity.
Final Thoughts
Compartmentation surveys are an essential aspect of maintaining building safety and ensuring that the structure remains compliant with building regulations. They are critical for buildings where the fire-resisting barriers’ effectiveness and who must remain within their fire compartments are essential.
If you are a business owner, property manager, or landlord, prioritize achieving compliant fire compartments. Regular compartmentation surveys can help to identify breaches in fire barriers and offer recommended solutions to rectify the shortcomings, keeping your building occupants safe and avoiding financial penalties.