Fire Compartmentation Survey
Ensure your building’s fire safety integrity with professional fire compartmentation surveys by Focus 360 Energy
What is a Fire Compartmentation Survey?
A compartment survey (or fire compartmentation survey) is a detailed inspection of a building’s internal fire-resistant barriers, including walls, floors, ceilings, and voids, to ensure they maintain effective fire separation. These surveys are critical in both new builds and existing buildings to verify that fire-stopping measures comply with building regulations and fire safety standards.
At Focus 360 Energy, we deliver specialist compartmentation surveys for commercial and multi-residential buildings across the UK. Whether you’re a developer, facilities manager, or responsible person under the Fire Safety Order, we help you understand and manage the fire resistance integrity of your premises.
Every Focus 360 Energy report includes
Overview summary with RAG (Red-Amber-Green) risk grading
Annotated photos and floorplans
Prioritised action list
Clear technical terminology for third-party contractors to quote against
Digital upload of results into your compliance tracker or CAFM system if required
Why Compartmentation Matters
Fire compartmentation is a key life-safety measure. It limits the spread of fire and smoke between sections of a building, giving occupants time to escape and allowing emergency services to respond safely. Without proper compartmentation, even small breaches (e.g. unsealed service penetrations, damaged walls, or poorly installed doors) can lead to rapid fire and smoke spread, putting lives, assets, and your legal compliance at risk.
Who Needs a Compartment Survey?
- Developers looking to sign off new builds
- Housing associations and landlords with residential blocks
- Facilities managers of schools, hospitals, offices or warehouses
- Duty holders or Responsible Persons under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Fire risk assessors requiring follow-up technical inspection
If your fire risk assessment has flagged potential issues, or you manage a complex or high-rise building, a compartment survey is often the next step.
What We Inspect
Our trained fire surveyors carry out visual and intrusive inspections as required. Surveys cover:
- Fire-resisting walls, floors, ceilings and voids
- Intumescent seals and passive firestopping
- Service penetrations (cables, pipes, ducts)
- Loft spaces and risers
- Cavity barriers
- Junctions and interfaces with fire doors
Each survey includes photographic evidence and a detailed report outlining issues, their severity, and recommended remedial action.
Compliance and Standards
All surveys align with:
- Approved Document B of the Building Regulations
- BS 9999 and BS 9991
- PAS 9980 guidance (for existing buildings)
- Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Strategy Report requirements
We also cross-reference findings with your building’s fire plan and evacuation strategy to ensure real-world alignment.
Who Carries Out the Survey?
All surveys are carried out by qualified fire safety professionals with:
- IFC/FRACS/IFSM recognised accreditation
- Training in passive fire protection
- Experience across commercial, residential, and public sectors
Focus 360 Energy works nationwide and can often deploy within 3–5 working days.
Related Sustainability Services
Fire Compartmentation Surveys is frequently combined with the following additional services:
Fire Risk Assessments
Find out moreFire Door Surveys
Find out moreThermographic Surveys
Find out moreAsbestos Surveys
Find out moreResidential EPC
Find out moreCommercial EPC
Find out moreOur Process
Get your quote today
Contact Focus 360 Energy today for a Fire Compartmentation Survey quote. Our easy-to-use online system makes it easy to schedule an assessment and manage your job from start to finish.
Click the Get a Quote link to access our online portal, or use the form to share brief details about your project and we will respond promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A compartmentation survey is a detailed technical inspection focused on the integrity of passive fire protection measures like walls and ceilings, whereas a fire risk assessment looks more broadly at all fire hazards in the building.
While not always explicitly required, a compartmentation survey is strongly recommended for commercial and multi-residential buildings where fire stopping integrity is unclear or has been compromised.
A typical compartmentation survey takes 1–2 days depending on the size and complexity of the building, including access requirements and number of areas to inspect.
Yes, a compartmentation survey may include light intrusive checks to access ceiling voids, risers, and service penetrations. We always agree access points in advance.
Focus 360 Energy does not directly carry out fire stopping works but provides a contractor-ready report outlining exactly what remedial actions are required.
Yes, Focus 360 Energy’s compartmentation survey reports are suitable for submission to Building Control or Approved Inspectors, especially for new developments or refurbishment sign-off.
Providing building plans helps with efficient scoping and execution of the compartmentation survey, but we can still proceed if drawings are unavailable.
Absolutely, many clients bundle compartmentation surveys with fire door surveys or fire strategy reports for a full passive fire protection review.
Yes, every compartmentation survey includes annotated photographs, location references, and severity ratings to support decision-making.
Compartmentation survey reports are typically delivered within 3–5 working days after the site visit. Fast-track options are available on request.
