Compartmentation surveys - Compartments within historic buildings
Examining compartmentation within historic buildings
Our business helps clients to stop fires from spreading. To do so, we use the crucial compartmentation surveys and can then supply fire proof materials. We work with contractors as well as building facilitators. This allows us to deliver solutions that are very effective. With their aid, we can keep you safe.
Fire may not be the biggest threat to our heritage. It is actually damp and decay. However, it does show up in the headlines far more. Nothing can compare with the finality of its destruction. Therefore, it is essential to ensure these older properties have the right fire protection. In fact, a historic building owner shall find they have all sorts of options. This will include a range of passive and active measures.
Disconnected fire zones
The separation of a structure into disconnected fire zones provides the most efficient way of reducing fire damage. This approach is meant to contain fires inside the origin zone. It gives some security to the rest of the building at the very least. In addition, the disconnection delays fires from spreading before the fire brigade arrives.
Fires can occur in a building with compartmentation. When they do, the size of the affected area would depend on a certain factor. This is the layout of the fire resistant barriers inside. Compartmentation surveys can take a close look at these.
Nearly every structure comes with unique compartmentation lines. They tend to be natural due to the layout. With a bit of attention, and the right materials, they have the ability to offer protection for the right length of time. This could be anything from 30 minutes to an hour against full on blazes. As a result, this has to be a vital part of your damage limiting strategy.
Keep landings and halls away from staircases
Preferably, you should separate landings and halls from staircases. Do this to stop fires from moving vertically up your stairwell. However, the creation of new lobbies can have a disastrous effect on a fine historic interior and its character. Additionally, there needs to be practical limitations on the amount of compartmentation lines. When over-compartmented, buildings can end up being limited in their daily usage.
For effectiveness, you have to plan compartmentation out and implement it correctly. There is no reason to enhance the fire resistance of your door and then not bother to safeguard the plywood duct by its side. These can run into different rooms.
We will provide all the details in our compartmentation surveys
At Trident Fire Protection and Training, our surveys of compartments come in three forms. They are Fully Intrusive, Semi Intrusive, and Visual. The last one is non-intrusive so it does not look at the structure. Once we finish a survey, we will be able to provide a full report on what we have found.
If you would like our assistance, please get in touch.