Every commercial building needs to think about fire stopping, as it is a way of preventing fire and smoke from spreading through a building should a fire occur, greatly decreasing the amount of damage caused. A fire stopping inspection and survey are essential here, as they involve a real look into the building’s passive fire protection capabilities, such as how well the doors, floors, and ceilings compartmentalise the fire.
Are you wondering if your commercial building fire safety is up to scratch? In this guide, learn more about what a fire stopping survey entails and how to schedule one.
What Is a Fire Stopping Survey?
It is a type of fire safety survey that specifically inspects a building’s passive fire protection capabilities. The goal here is to identify any breaches that might allow fire and smoke to spread through the building, such as unsealed gaps beneath doors, poor wiring, and damaged electrical systems.
It can also be known as a compartmentation survey, as it is all about ensuring that, if a fire does break out, it will stick to one area rather than spreading. This is obviously extremely important in commercial fire stopping, as a compartmentalised fire is less likely to damage the building or risk a human life.
Why Are Fire Stopping Surveys Important?
Fire stopping surveys are important because they help ensure a building’s passive fire protection methods are good enough to stop the spread of a fire. They improve the building’s safety for everyone who enters and ensure that any business operating within the building meets fire compliance regulations.
On top of that, a passive fire protection survey also identifies defects earlier than they would have otherwise been spotted. These surveys know exactly what to look for.
What Does a Fire Stopping Survey Include?
A good fire stopping survey covers all the major risk factors associated with the spread of a fire. That includes:
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Inspection of service penetrations: This involves checking all gaps where pipes and cables pass through doors and walls. The surveyor wants to ensure they are properly sealed.
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Assessment of fire barriers and compartment walls: This focuses more on the building’s structure and ability to contain a fire for a specific amount of time. They will look for things like damaged fire stopping materials, structural problems such as cracks, and fire doors that do not open and close properly.
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Identification of damaged or missing fire stopping: This section identifies any damaged or missing fire stopping equipment.
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Recommendations for remedial work: There will be recommendations to fix any breaches. It will include a dedicated action plan to make the commercial building safer in the case of a fire.
Who Should Arrange a Fire Stopping Survey?
A fire stopping survey should be arranged by:
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Commercial property owners
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Facilities managers
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Landlords
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Responsible persons under fire safety legislation
If you are responsible for arranging a survey, Capital Fire Doors can help. Our surveys are comprehensive and conducted by experts who know exactly what to look for. With our help, you protect everyone inside the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a fire stopping survey?
It is to evaluate the fire protection systems within a building, specifically looking for any breaches in fire stopping methods.
How often should a fire stopping survey be carried out?
A fire stopping survey should be arranged for commercial buildings every 1 to 3 years. It should be more frequent for buildings with a high fire risk.
Is fire stopping a legal requirement?
Yes, in the UK, fire stopping is a legal requirement for all commercial buildings.
What happens if fire stopping defects are found?
Responsible persons must make the necessary changes to ensure the building has better fire stopping capabilities. That might include replacing doors, fitting new walls, and filling gaps.