Breaches through compartment walls, floors and ceilings may cause smoke, hot gases and fire to spread through escape routes to other parts of the building. In the event of a fire breaches in the compartment may compromises the safe means of escape for the building occupants..
Compartments also protect the building by containing fire within that compartment.
Additionally, breaches in a compartment will hamper the firefighting operations and put firefighters at risk.
The above is common within buildings whereby services have been provided through a compartment or the compartment has not been adequately fire stopped to the same fire resistance as the walls, floors and ceilings.
Under the above circumstances the person who is responsible for the management of the fire precautions (the duty holder) should employ a competent firm to survey and rectify any shortcoming in respect of the integrity of the compartmentation provided within the premises.
“FIRE STOPPING” measures may be required to protect the compartment.
“Code Red Fire Safety” specialise in identifying problem areas in respect of the above, and produce photographic evidence which assists the contractor to locate any breaches within compartment which will require “Fire Stopping Measures” which must attain the same resistance as the compartment.
Relevant Legislation:
The Technical Standard for compliance with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations. Part D: Structural fire precautions (Regulation 12)
This publication presents the Technical Standards which are the relevant Standards for compliance with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990, as amended. The Technical Standards have full Statutory force by virtue of Regulation 9.
Fire Safety (SCOTLAND) Regulations 2006
