What happens when we survey your building (compartmentation survey explained)

A compartmentation survey tells you whether the fire protection in your building is actually doing its job, and exactly where it isn't. Done properly, it's not just a list of problems; it's a practical route to putting them right. Here's what happens.

What we actually look at

We look at the things that divide a building into compartments, and the places they're most often let down:

• Walls and floors between rooms or flats, and the joins between them
• Anywhere a pipe, cable or duct passes through a wall or floor
• Fire doors, and whether they actually close, seal and latch properly with the correct gaps
• Ceiling voids, risers and other hidden spaces that should be blocked off
• Junctions and awkward details where gaps often get missed during building work

How much we check

We don't need to open up every wall to give you a clear picture. We agree the right level of checking with you upfront, based on your building and what you need to prove. Sometimes that means looking at what's visible and accessible; sometimes it means opening up a sample of areas to see what's really behind the surface. For most buildings, a sensible 10% sample gives you real confidence without ripping the place apart.

What we record

The value of a survey is in the evidence. For every issue we find, we record:

• A photo of the problem
• Exactly where it is, so it can be found again
• How serious it is, so you can see the severity at a glance
• Enough detail that a contractor can fix it without a second visit

Turning the findings into action

A spreadsheet full of problems isn't much help on its own. We turn it into a clear, prioritised plan of what needs sorting first, what can be grouped together efficiently, and what proof you'll have once it's done. That makes it easy to brief a contractor, budget for the work, and show you've dealt with it properly afterwards.

Working around your building, not against it

Most of our surveys happen in buildings that are still in use. We plan around your tenants and your day-to-day operations, work out of hours if needed, and keep disruption to a minimum. If you want a straight answer on what survey your building needs, get in touch.