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.
Fire Compartmentation Inspection Sheraton Park – What Was Required
The buildings needed a combination of internal and external checks, focusing on wall and ceiling build-ups, fire-stopping at compartment lines, external cladding interfaces and junctions around windows and floors. Our team carried out inspections in four rooms across both buildings, and each location was chosen based on the fire engineer’s inspection drawings.
Step-by-Step: How We Carried Out the Work
- Controlled Internal Opening-Up
We created small access points in walls and ceilings to expose the construction behind the finishes. These checks helped us verify fire-rated board thickness (e.g. 2×15mm Fireline), metal stud configurations, insulation presence, roof-line and ceiling junctions. Ultimately, whether the build matched the intended fire compartment. Everything was photographed for the engineer’s review.
- External Façade Inspections
We inspected the external façades up to 11m, which included multiple wall types: Brickwork, Terracotta cladding, Board cladding, Aluminium cladding and Curtain wall interfaces. We checked the critical junctions where fire can spread unseen.
- 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:
- Fire engineer reviews our photographic report
- A compartmentation report is issued with any required remedial actions
- 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.
