The education-specific fire compartmentation route
Use this page for schools, academies and education estates where safeguarding, term-time access, occupied-building phasing and communication with estate teams shape the survey brief.
For residential, commercial, mixed-use, healthcare or other building types, use the main London fire compartmentation survey service. View general fire compartmentation surveys.
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Fire compartmentation advice for schools that supports safer buildings and clearer compliance
We provide fire compartmentation surveys for schools and academies across London, helping school leadership teams, estates managers and local authorities understand the condition of passive fire protection within their buildings and take proportionate steps to address identified issues.
School buildings present particular challenges for fire compartmentation. Many are older, have been extended or altered over time, and contain a mix of original and later construction. Our surveys are designed to assess compartment integrity, identify breaches and deficiencies, and provide clear reporting that supports practical decision-making within education settings.
School estates carry compartmentation risk that rarely shows until it is looked for. Building Bulletin 100 sets the fire-safety design expectations for schools, and responsible bodies — local authorities, multi-academy trusts and governing boards — must manage fire risk under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In practice, decades of re-wiring, IT and heating upgrades, temporary classrooms and phased extensions leave unsealed service penetrations, breached ceiling voids and altered compartment lines behind finishes. We survey compartment walls, floors, risers and protected escape routes, distinguish what can be confirmed visually from what needs opening-up, and record each defect against its location with a risk-based priority. The reporting is written so estates teams can plan remedial works around term times, brief fire-stopping contractors, and evidence to inspectors and insurers that fire separation is being actively managed rather than assumed.
What to send, and what you receive
Share a few building details and we will confirm the right assessment or survey scope and a fee before you instruct.
What to send before we quote
- The building address and postcode
- Height or number of storeys, if known
- Tenure and how the building is used
- Any existing fire risk assessment or fire reports
- Drawings or previous external wall information
What you receive
- A written assessment, survey or review suited to the instruction
- Findings and recommended next steps
- A clear scope of what was and was not assessed
Some work can need specialist input (for example opening-up, laboratory analysis or a fire engineer); we set out where this applies and coordinate it where instructed. Ask what the report would include.
Education clients who need a clearer fire compartmentation position
This service is typically instructed where a school or education provider needs an independent assessment of passive fire protection across one or more buildings, whether prompted by a fire risk assessment recommendation, a compartmentation review, planned works or an estate-wide fire safety programme.
Typical trigger points for schools
- Following a fire risk assessment that identifies compartmentation concerns.
- Where passive fire protection has not been formally assessed.
- Before or during refurbishment or alteration works.
- Where historic alterations may have compromised compartment integrity.
- Where a multi-academy trust needs a consistent approach across its estate.
- Where compliance evidence is needed for regulatory or governance purposes.
- After a fire or near-miss event.
- Where a school is preparing for Ofsted or other inspections involving building safety.
The main elements assessed during the survey
Compartment Walls and Floors
Assessment of fire-separating elements including walls, floors, junctions and penetrations to determine whether intended compartmentation lines remain effective.
Service Penetrations
Review of penetrations through fire-separating elements for mechanical, electrical and plumbing services, including assessment of firestopping condition and adequacy.
Doors and Openings
Assessment of fire doors, frames, ironmongery and self-closing devices within compartmentation lines, including condition, installation quality and certification.
Roof and Ceiling Voids
Review of compartmentation within roof spaces, ceiling voids and concealed areas where fire and smoke spread risk may be less visible but significant.
Common compartmentation issues we see in school buildings
- Missing or degraded firestopping around service penetrations.
- Fire doors that are damaged, incorrectly specified or poorly maintained.
- Compartment walls that do not extend to full height above ceiling level.
- Historic alterations that have breached or bypassed original compartmentation.
- Roof voids with inadequate or absent cavity barriers.
- Service risers and ducts that allow potential fire and smoke spread.
- Lack of documentation or evidence of previous compartmentation works.
Why early identification matters in schools
Schools are occupied buildings with particular responsibilities for the safety of children, staff and visitors. Early identification of compartmentation deficiencies allows responsible persons to take proportionate action, plan remedial works and demonstrate a defensible approach to fire safety management.
How a fire compartmentation survey instruction typically works
Scope and Access Planning
We agree the scope of the survey with the school, clarifying which buildings and areas are to be assessed and coordinating access arrangements around school operations.
Desktop Review
We review available construction information, fire risk assessments and any previous compartmentation records to inform the survey approach.
Site Survey
We carry out a detailed inspection of compartment walls, floors, service penetrations, fire doors and concealed spaces within the agreed scope.
Assessment and Reporting
We assess findings by significance and priority, and deliver a clear report with photographs, a deficiency schedule and recommended next steps.
Remedial Support
Where needed, we support the school with specification of remedial works, procurement of specialist contractors and oversight of delivery.
The types of compartmentation survey instruction we commonly receive
Fire Risk Assessment Follow-Up
A school where the fire risk assessment has flagged compartmentation concerns and the responsible person needs a detailed assessment to understand the actual position.
Multi-Academy Trust Programme
A trust instructing compartmentation surveys across 8 academy sites to establish a consistent estate-wide view of passive fire protection condition.
Pre-Refurbishment Review
A school planning refurbishment works where compartmentation integrity needs to be assessed before building work begins to avoid creating new breaches.
Post-Alteration Check
A school that has completed building alterations and needs confirmation that compartmentation lines have been maintained or properly reinstated.
What the client receives
- Fire compartmentation survey report.
- Photographs and location records of identified breaches.
- Assessment of significance and priority.
- Schedule of identified deficiencies.
- Recommended next steps and remedial priorities.
- Advice on further investigation where needed.
- Optional follow-on support for specification and remedial works procurement.
How schools use this advice
- Fire safety management and compliance.
- Fire risk assessment action planning.
- Remedial works specification and procurement.
- Estate-wide fire safety strategy.
- Governance and regulatory reporting.
- Insurance and stakeholder communication.
- Capital works planning and budget allocation.
What this survey is — and is not
We act as independent surveyors and advisors for the school or trust, not for any contractor, and we do not carry out firestopping or remedial works ourselves.
A fire compartmentation survey is a technical assessment of passive fire protection and compartment integrity. It is not a fire risk assessment, a fire strategy or a statutory compliance certificate, and it does not replace the duties of the responsible person under fire safety legislation. Where a fire risk assessment or fire engineering input is needed, that is a separate specialist appointment which we can help coordinate.
The survey assesses visible and accessible areas within the agreed scope. Concealed construction may require targeted opening-up or further investigation. We report findings and priorities; decisions on remedial action and statutory compliance remain with the responsible person and the appropriate dutyholders.
Services often instructed alongside fire compartmentation surveys for schools
Fire Door Inspections
For inspection and reporting on fire door condition, certification and compliance.
View ServiceBuilding Safety Act Compliance
For compliance advisory under the Building Safety Act 2022 framework.
View ServiceCondition Surveys
For independent assessment of building condition alongside fire safety review.
View ServiceProject Advisory
For project advisory and contract administration for remedial fire safety works.
View ServiceProcurement & Tendering
For structured procurement of fire compartmentation remedial contractors.
View ServiceEducation Sector
For wider building consultancy advice across the education sector.
View SectorNot sure which assessment your building needs? Send the building information and we'll identify the right next step.
Send building informationCommon questions about fire compartmentation surveys for schools
What is fire compartmentation?
Fire compartmentation is the division of a building into distinct compartments using fire-resisting construction, designed to contain fire and smoke spread and support safe evacuation. In schools, this is critical because of the number of occupants and the nature of the buildings.
Do all schools need a fire compartmentation survey?
Not necessarily, but where a fire risk assessment identifies concerns about passive fire protection, or where buildings have been altered over time, a compartmentation survey provides a clearer understanding of the actual position.
Can the survey be carried out while the school is occupied?
Yes. Surveys can be carried out during term time or during school holidays, subject to access arrangements and scope. We work with schools to minimise disruption.
Will the survey identify all compartmentation issues?
The survey assesses visible and accessible areas. Where construction is concealed, the report will recommend targeted opening-up or further investigation where the risk justifies it.
Can you help with remedial works after the survey?
Yes. Follow-on support can include specification of remedial works, procurement, tender evaluation and contract administration through to completion.
How does this relate to the fire risk assessment?
A fire compartmentation survey provides detailed technical evidence about passive fire protection that can inform and support the fire risk assessment process. It addresses the compartmentation elements that a general FRA may flag but not assess in detail.
Is a compartmentation survey the same as a fire risk assessment?
No. A fire compartmentation survey is a focused technical assessment of passive fire protection and compartment integrity. It is not a fire risk assessment and does not replace one. The two are complementary, and the survey can inform the fire risk assessment process.
Do you carry out the remedial firestopping works?
No. We act as independent surveyors and advisors. We do not carry out firestopping or remedial works ourselves, which keeps our assessment and any specification independent of the contractor appointed to do the works.
Can you survey a whole multi-academy trust estate?
Yes. We regularly carry out compartmentation surveys across multiple sites so that a trust has a consistent estate-wide view of passive fire protection condition and priorities.
Which London areas do you cover for school surveys?
We work with schools and academies across London. Our office is in Hampstead NW3 and we survey education buildings London-wide.
Practical guidance for schools and education estates
What Schools Should Do After a Fire Compartmentation Survey
A guide on interpreting findings, taking proportionate action and managing remedial priorities in education buildings.
Read GuideFire Door Inspections: What Clients Should Expect
A guide on fire door inspection scope, process and what to do with the findings.
Read GuideProcurement Routes for Public Sector Building Works
Guidance on procurement options and governance for public sector building works including schools.
Read GuideFire compartmentation survey for a secondary school in London
The following London inspection and reporting workflow breakdown shows how our RICS surveyors scope, inspect and report on real properties across London; see our published London surveying case studies for completed project records.
- Client type: Multi-academy trust
- Building type: Secondary school, 1960s main building with later extensions, North London
- The issue: The fire risk assessment identified compartmentation concerns in the original building, and the trust needed a detailed assessment before planning remedial works
- What we were appointed to do: Carry out a fire compartmentation survey of the main school building, assessing compartment walls, floors, service penetrations, fire doors and roof voids
- What was reviewed: Compartment lines on all floors, service risers, ceiling voids, fire doors in corridors and stairwells, and junctions between the original building and later extensions
- What happened next: The survey identified firestopping deficiencies around service penetrations, fire doors requiring replacement and compartment walls that did not extend to full height above ceiling level
- Outcome: The trust used the findings to develop a prioritised remedial programme, procure specialist firestopping contractors and update their fire safety management plan
- Related services: Fire Door Inspections, Project Advisory
Related articles and guidance
Need a fire compartmentation survey for a school, academy or education estate?
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Typical fees: Fire Compartmentation Surveys for Schools instructions in London typically start from £380 plus VAT; we confirm a fixed fee after scoping the building and the brief.
School fire compartmentation surveys in Central London
Regional guidance for Central London building stock, client decisions and delivery constraints.
School fire compartmentation surveys in Central London
A school compartmentation survey tests fire separation around teaching, assembly, sleeping, plant and circulation areas against the available fire strategy. Central London education buildings often combine historic structures, later extensions and intensive service alterations that require a school-specific access and safeguarding plan.
View School fire compartmentation surveys Central London guidanceDedicated Central London service guides
Compare 59 dedicated service guides and 16 core neighbourhoods.
View the Central London hubFire Compartmentation Surveys for Schools: Deliverables & Transparent Fee Matrix
Every fire compartmentation surveys for schools instruction is confirmed by a fixed written fee proposal once the property address, tenure and scope are reviewed. Starting fees begin from £1,450 plus VAT; all fee guides below are exclusive of VAT (plus VAT).
| Scope / Property Band | Deliverables & Technical Scope | Typical Turnaround | Transparent Fee Guide (Excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A — Standard / Single-Property Fire Compartmentation Surveys for Schools | Pre-instruction document review, targeted site inspection or desktop appraisal, and structured RICS-aligned report. | 3–5 working days from inspection | From £1,450 plus VAT (single primary school or academy building BB100 compartmentation survey) |
| Band B — Comprehensive Fire Compartmentation Surveys for Schools Instruction | Full site inspection, photographic defect/evidence schedule, regulatory analysis and prioritised cost/action plan. | 5–8 working days from site access | From £2,650 plus VAT (multi-block secondary school or campus fire-stopping & barrier schedule) |
| Band C — Complex, Heritage or Multi-Unit Fire Compartmentation Surveys for Schools | Listed-building, higher-risk, multi-unit or portfolio instruction with senior director review and adviser coordination. | 7–12 working days (or agreed milestone) | From £4,500 plus VAT (MAT-wide compartmentation register, CIF-ready scope & remedial specification) |