Passive Fire Safety Protection
& Consultancy

Excellence | Trust | Proactivity | Accountability | Innovation

Beyond Compliance

“Integrity, Respect, Reliability, Determination and Ambition are just some of the words I would use for myself and my team when it comes to compliance. All of this combined with our knowledge and constant up to date training with the relevant bodies makes us beyond compliant leaving no stone unturned”

Our Services

We offer the full suite of assessment and remediation services

At its core, fire compartmentation is about dividing a building into sections or compartments using fire-resisting walls, floors, and doors. Each compartment acts like a barrier, containing fire and smoke within a limited area. This containment slows down the spread of fire, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely, reducing damage to the structure, and allowing more time for the emergency services.
At Meritas, we don’t just tick the boxes — we go beyond compliance. Our assessments and remediations are built not only to meet regulations but to exceed them, ensuring the highest standards of safety, resilience, and peace of mind.

Fire dampers are critical devices installed in ductwork where it passes through fire-resistance-rated walls or floors. Their purpose is to prevent the spread of flames and smoke through a building’s ventilation system when a fire occurs. Designed to close automatically when heat reaches a specific temperature, they are triggered by a fusible link or actuator.

At Meritas, our work goes beyond compliance. We don’t just check whether your fire dampers meet the minimum standard — we assess their condition, placement, and performance to ensure your systems deliver maximum protection when it matters most. Our thorough assessments and expert remediations are designed to provide true fire resilience, not just regulatory fulfilment.

Fire doors are essential components of a building’s passive fire protection strategy. Designed to withstand fire and smoke for a specified period, they help to contain flames within a compartment and protect vital escape routes. Unlike standard doors, fire doors are constructed using fire-resistant materials and feature intumescent seals that expand under heat, sealing gaps and preventing the spread of smoke.

At Meritas, we go beyond compliance. Our fire door inspections, installations, and maintenance services are not limited to meeting minimum standards — we focus on ensuring long-term performance, safety, and resilience. Every fire door we assess or install is part of a wider commitment to protecting people, property, and peace of mind.

A fire risk assessment is a structured process that identifies fire hazards, evaluates the associated risks, and implements measures to eliminate or reduce those risks to an acceptable level. It’s about taking proactive steps to manage fire safety, rather than waiting for an incident to occur.

At Meritas, we believe fire safety should never be a box-ticking exercise. That’s why our fire risk assessments go beyond compliance — offering clear, practical guidance tailored to your environment. We don’t just highlight risks; we help you understand them, mitigate them, and create safer spaces that stand up to scrutiny and safeguard lives.

Fire Compartmentation

At its core, fire compartmentation is about dividing a building into sections or compartments using fire-resisting walls, floors, and doors. Each compartment acts like a barrier, containing fire and smoke within a limited area. This containment slows down the spread of fire, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely, reducing damage to the structure, and allowing more time for the emergency services.

We can provide you with assessments and remediations.

Fire Dampers

Fire dampers are devices installed in ductwork where it crosses through fire-resistance-rated walls or floors. Their sole purpose is to block the spread of flames and smoke through the ducts and compartments (walls and floors) when a fire occurs. They are designed to close when the heat reaches a specified temperature and triggers a fusible link or actuator.

We can provide you with assessments and remediations.

Fire Doors

Fire doors are crucial components in a building's passive fire protection system. These doors are designed to resist the spread of fire and smoke between compartments for a specified period, helping to contain the fire and protect escape routes. Unlike ordinary doors, fire doors are built with fire-resistant materials and are fitted with seals that expand in heat to close gaps, preventing the passage of smoke. Their proper installation and maintenance are vital for ensuring they perform effectively in an emergency.
We can provide fire door inspections, installations, and maintenance services to ensure compliance and safety.

Fire Risk Assessment

A fire risk assessment is a systematic process to identify fire hazards, evaluate the risks and implement measures to eliminate or reduce these risks to an acceptable level. It’s about proactively managing fire risks rather than reacting to incidents.

Facility Management | Local Authority | Care Homes | Property Management

CLIENT REVIEW – David Jones, Operations Manager

“Hu and the engineers at Meritas were really quick to respond to a request for a fire compartmentation survey at one of our health centres. They came out to site at short notice to complete the survey over two days, keeping us informed of what was being inspected and explaining their findings thoroughly through the whole process. Hu took the time and care to answer any queries, no matter how trivial, and was very understanding of the pressures both from a legislation and budget point of view that we, along with many other landlords, face in complying with fire regulations.

Once the survey was completed, the report was issued very quickly in a format that was clear and simple to understand. There was a clear plan in place for Meritas to come back to complete the remedial works during unsociable hours due to the needs of our business and the works were finished to a high standard.

We have been really impressed working with Meritas, and are keen to use their services for continued works across our other sites in the not too distant future.”

Did you Know...

Following the Building Safety Act of 2022 if a responsible person fails to meet the duties outlined in the act, particularly in the management of building safety risks, they could face severe penalties, including imprisonment. For instance, failure to comply with an improvement notice or prohibition notice issued by the regulator can result in imprisonment of up to two years.

When exposed to fire, wood chars on the surface, creating a protective layer that slows down the spread of fire to the inner parts. This charring acts as an insulating barrier, which helps delay structural failure in wooden buildings.

When heated, steel expands. For every 10°C rise in temperature, steel expands by approximately 0.012%. This thermal expansion can cause significant structural deformations during a fire, sometimes leading to buckling or collapse.

Steel structures often require passive fire protection methods, such as intumescent coatings, fireproof cladding, or encasement in concrete, to maintain their integrity during a fire. These methods help slow down the rate at which steel heats up, giving occupants more time to evacuate.

There is a common misconception that remodelling negates the existing fire protection. In truth, it's vital to assess and upgrade PFP elements during renovations. Understanding these principles not only enhances safety but also promotes better fire risk management.

Fire Dampers are crucial in maintaining safety within commercial and residential buildings. As fire safety regulations evolve, recent updates to building codes are redefining the standards governing these essential devices. Traditionally, Fire Dampers were installed to limit smoke and heat spread, but advancements in technology have promoted more stringent performance requirements.

In the realm of fire safety, non-compliant fire compartmentation poses significant risks across various building types, creating a complex web of responsibility. At-risk parties for prosecution include property owners, developers, and contractors involved in the construction or renovation of commercial and residential buildings. If inadequate fire barriers lead to violations of local fire codes, these stakeholders can face severe penalties and even Prosecution.

Our Mission

Our mission is to ensure owners, staff, and residents feel completely confident and secure in the fire safety of their buildings, whether at work, at home, or in shared spaces. Through our expertise in Passive Fire Protection, we design and deliver solutions that provide continuous, unobtrusive protection. At Meritas, we go beyond compliance by not just meeting the standards but setting them, so our clients can trust that their safety is always in capable hands.

An independent business dedicated to delivering Passive Fire Protection solutions that not only meet the demands of an ever tightening regulatory environment but go beyond compliance to provide lasting protection and peace of mind.

We deliver Passive Fire Protection solutions that are fully compliant while also addressing the real world challenges buildings face. Our approach goes beyond compliance to ensure safety, resilience, and confidence.

Founded in 2016, we are establishing ourselves as one of the leading Passive Fire Protection consultancies in the East of England.

Our solution to the widespread issue of existing buildings not meeting current passive fire protection standards begins with comprehensive surveys to identify areas lacking compliance or sufficient protection. By providing a clear and actionable roadmap for the necessary upgrades, we help ensure that buildings are brought in line with all required safety standards.

We also invest in long term safety through our Engineer Training Programmes, staff development, and apprenticeships. These initiatives equip facility managers and maintenance teams with the essential knowledge to maintain passive fire protection systems effectively.

As we move into 2025, we are proud to adopt a Beyond Compliance ethos. This reflects our commitment to delivering more than what regulations demand. We help create safer, more resilient buildings and empower those responsible for their care with the understanding and tools to maintain ongoing protection and peace of mind.

CLIENT REVIEW– Gemma Pace, Linton FM Solution

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Meritas over the past few years. Their industry expertise, commitment to quality, and market insight are unparalleled. As Linton FM built its platform within the fire industry, Meritas provided invaluable support and served as a reliable knowledge resource. Their focus on service delivery over profit, particularly amidst evolving fire safety regulations, is a refreshing change from typical contractors. Their professionalism, especially Hu and Steve’s, creates a genuine sense of partnership. I wholeheartedly recommend Meritas for any fire safety needs—they truly make a complex process seamless.”

Did you Know...

A fire typically starts when a material reaches its ignition temperature, which is the minimum temperature at which it will spontaneously ignite and sustain combustion without an external flame or spark. The ignition temperature varies depending on the material

Wood
Generally, wood ignites at temperatures between 300°C to 400°C (572°F to 752°F). Factors like the type of wood, moisture content, and exposure to oxygen can influence the exact ignition point.

Paper
Paper has a lower ignition temperature, typically around 218°C to 246°C (424°F to 475°F).

Gasoline
Gasoline vapours can ignite at temperatures as low as 280°C to 470°C (536°F to 878°F), but it is highly flammable and can ignite even with a small spark at room temperature.

Plastics
Common plastics like polyethylene and PVC generally ignite at temperatures between 300°C to 450°C (572°F to 842°F).

Cotton
Cotton and other natural fibres typically ignite at temperatures around 255°C to 300°C (491°F to 572°F).

The actual starting point of a fire depends on a combination of heat, oxygen, and fuel, commonly referred to as the fire triangle. When these elements are present in the right proportions, and the material reaches its ignition temperature, a fire can start.

Our Projects

No Fire Break Evident Under Raised Floor

Glasgow

Existing Milkman’s Hatch Created A Void

London

200 Fire Dampers Installed By Non-Certified Installer

Knightsbridge

Multiple Fire Breaches In The Plant Room

Heathrow

Dampers Shown On The Drawings Not Installed

North West London

Many Fire Compartmentation Issues In Hospital

London

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Passive Fire Safety Protection & Consultancy

Excellence | Trust | Proactivity | Accountability | Innovation

Beyond Compliance