At Total Fire Group, we work closely with landlords, property managers and duty holders to ensure buildings are not only compliant, but genuinely safe for the people who live and work in them.
One of the most overlooked, yet critical,elements of fire safety is fire stopping and compartmentation. While often hidden behind walls, ceilings and service risers, failures in compartmentation can have devastating consequences during a fire. This is why fire stopping and compartmentation surveys are essential for landlords across all sectors.
What Is Fire Compartmentation – and Why Does It Matter?
Fire compartmentation is the principle of dividing a building into fire-resisting sections using walls, floors, ceilings, and correctly sealed service penetrations. When properly installed and maintained, compartmentation:
- Slows the spread of fire and smoke
- Protects escape routes such as stairwells and corridors
- Allows occupants vital time to evacuate safely
- Supports the fire and rescue service in managing incidents
However, even well-designed buildings can suffer from hidden breaches over time. Refurbishments, poor workmanship, unsealed service penetrations, or damaged fire stopping can all compromise fire containment without being visible during routine inspections.
Identifying Hidden Breaches in Fire Containment
Many landlords assume that if a building looks compliant on the surface, it is safe. In reality, some of the most serious risks are concealed above ceilings, behind risers, or within service voids.
A fire stopping and compartmentation survey carried out by competent professionals helps to:
- Identify missing, damaged or incorrectly installed fire stopping
- Locate unsealed penetrations for pipes, cables and ductwork
- Assess the integrity of fire-resisting walls, floors and ceilings
- Highlight legacy issues caused by historical works or poor documentation
At Total Fire Group, our surveys provide a clear, evidence-based assessment of where fire containment has been compromised, and what needs to be done to restore it.
Demonstrating Compliance With Legal Duties
Landlords have clear legal responsibilities to take reasonable steps to reduce fire risk and to maintain fire-resisting measures within their buildings.
Compartmentation surveys help landlords to:
- Demonstrate due diligence and proactive risk management
- Support and validate fire risk assessments
- Provide documented evidence of compliance to enforcing authorities
- Avoid enforcement action, fines, or reputational damage
In the event of a fire, the ability to show that competent surveys were undertaken and issues addressed can be critical in demonstrating that legal duties were met.
Reducing Life Safety Risk and Landlord Liability
The primary purpose of effective compartmentation is life safety. When fire and smoke spread unchecked, the risk to occupants increases dramatically. By identifying and rectifying breaches, landlords can significantly reduce the likelihood of rapid fire spread and protect those within their buildings.
At the same time, compartmentation surveys play a key role in reducing liability. Failure to identify known or discoverable defects can expose landlords to:
- Prosecution and enforcement notices
- Civil claims following injury or loss of life
- Invalidated insurance cover
Investing in professional fire stopping and compartmentation surveys is a proactive step that protects both people and property interests.
How Total Fire Group Supports Landlords
As experienced fire safety consultants operating across the North West Total Fire Group delivers thorough, intrusive and non-intrusive compartmentation surveys tailored to the building type and risk profile.
Our approach focuses on:
- Clear, photographic reporting
- Practical, prioritised recommendations
- Ongoing support through remediation and compliance
For landlords, this means clarity, confidence, and control over one of the most critical aspects of building fire safety.
How Total Fire Group Can Help
Fire stopping and compartmentation may be out of sight, but they must never be out of mind. For landlords, surveys are not just a compliance exercise – they are a vital safeguard that protects lives, demonstrates responsibility, and reduces long-term risk.
If you’d like support reviewing your compartmentation or wider fire safety arrangements, Total Fire Group can provide assessments, surveys and tailored advice to help ensure your building remains safe, compliant and well protected.
