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02 / Compartmentation

Compartmentation surveys & remediation.

In existing buildings, compartmentation is often the weakest link. Unsealed penetrations, missing cavity barriers, broken plasterboard reveals — each is a route for fire and smoke to travel where it shouldn't.

Two fire extinguishers
The Challenge

The problem with existing buildings

Compartmentation failures in existing buildings almost always accumulate over time. A maintenance cut-through left unsealed. A service upgrade that bypassed the fire stop. A refurbishment that disturbed cavity barriers without reinstating them. Each individual breach may look minor. Collectively they can reduce an entire floor or block to a single compartment in a fire scenario.

The starting point is always a survey: understanding what is there, what is missing and what the risk profile looks like. From that baseline, we quantify the remedial scope and price the work against a clear, itemised schedule.

Survey Levels

Survey types

TYPE 1

Visual Survey

Non-intrusive inspection of accessible compartment elements. Identifies visible breaches, damaged fire stops and missing seals without disturbing finishes or structure.

TYPE 2

Sampling Survey

Targeted intrusive investigation at pre-selected locations. Removes finishes to expose hidden penetrations and assess the integrity of concealed compartment lines.

TYPE 3

Full Intrusive Survey

Systematic investigation across all defined compartment elements. Opens up finishes at regular intervals to assess the full scope of remediation required.

TYPE 4

Enhanced Intrusive Survey

The most comprehensive level, involving destructive investigation to expose structure and identify concealed defects in high-risk or complex buildings.

Remediation

What remediation covers

  • Reinstatement of compartment walls, floors and ceilings
  • Fire stopping of service penetrations identified during survey
  • Reinstatement of missing or damaged cavity barriers
  • Repair or replacement of fire-rated doors and frames
  • Photographic evidence and updated schedules at every stage
Why Alpha Fire

What sets us apart

  • IFC / KIWA accreditation Nr 3039 for PFP installation
  • Single contractor for survey through to completion
  • Itemised schedules priced from survey data — no surprises
  • Social housing, student and commercial remediation experience
  • Ongoing monitoring programmes for managed estates
Work with us

Arrange a survey

Every enquiry is answered within one working day. Send us the brief, the drawings or just the question.