Fire compartmentation inspection Sheraton Park | here’s the full breakdown of what we uncovered and why it matters.

Most buildings look fine on the surface.
The real question is what’s happening behind the walls, ceilings and façades where fire protection either does its job or quietly fails.

At Sheraton Park (Durham University) were carrying out a wider fire compliance review by intrusive checks inside Sheraton House and Neville House to confirm the real condition of the fire compartments.

That’s where we stepped in.

Our role at Manor Interior Solutions was simple: open it up, inspect it properly, document it clearly, and reinstate it to certified standards.

Why Fire Compartmentation Inspections Are Needed

These inspections are becoming standard for universities, schools, housing associations and commercial estates because:

• Fire strategies need to be verified against the actual construction
• Older buildings can hide gaps, missing fire-stopping or inconsistent build-ups
• Insurers increasingly demand evidence, not assumptions
• Compliance frameworks (BS 9999, PAS standards, FRAEW guidance) expect intrusive checks, not visual guesses

Fire safety: Approved Document B – GOV.UK

And crucially:
You cannot confirm a fire compartment without opening it.

3. Certified Reinstatement

Once the inspection was complete, we reinstated all openings with the appropriate materials and leaving all the areas were left clean, tidy and safe for reoccupation.

This part must be done by trained, fire-certified operatives; otherwise the compartment is compromised.

What Happens Next for the Client

From here, the process usually follows three clear steps:

1. Fire engineer reviews our photographic report
2. A compartmentation report is issued with any required remedial actions
3. Certified fire-stopping works are carried out (if needed) to bring the building up to standard

Because the inspection is now complete, the client has the evidence they need to move forward confidently.

Why Choose a Certified Fire Contractor

Anyone can cut a hole in a wall but very few can:

• open it safely
• inspect it correctly
• understand what the engineer needs
• reinstate it to a certified fire rating
• document everything clearly

Our team follows BM TRADA-aligned methods and delivers full photographic and written evidence for compliance and insurance purposes.

BM TRADA | Certification, Inspection & Training Services

That’s the difference between “job done” and “job proven.”

Considering a Fire Compartmentation Survey?

Whether you manage a university estate, school, student accommodation block or commercial building, intrusive fire inspections are the only reliable way to confirm that your compartments actually perform.

If you’re unsure where to start, we can guide you through it from survey to reinstatement.