Care Home Case Study
SURVEYS | REMEDIAL WORKS | REPLACEMENTS | INSTALLATION
Care Home Case Study
About the Project
In May 2025, Meritas were approached by a well-established care home group located in Norfolk. The care home group recently underwent a major renovation which disrupted and moved the design of the fire compartmentation strategy. These alterations, particularly within the roof space voids, compromised the existing fire compartmentation. As a result, potential fire and smoke risks were introduced.
Our team conducted a comprehensive intrusive fire compartmentation survey, clearly identifying key areas requiring remedial action. We maintained consistent communication with the client throughout, ensuring they were fully informed of all findings and recommendations needed to achieve compliance with current building regulations and prioritise resident safety. In addition, we conducted site visits every three days to monitor progress, carry out health and safety, compliance checks, ensure cleanliness and overall site standards were maintained in close coordination with the client.
Following the survey, Meritas collaborated closely with Firefly to specify and implement certified fire safety systems. One of the main concerns identified was the compromised fire breaks at the head of walls within the ceiling voids.
To address this, we installed Firefly cavity closers, an approved and tested solution that restored the compartmentation line and achieved a 60-minute fire resistance rating. For larger openings within the ceiling voids, we utilised Firefly Zeus, a high-performance barrier system, providing a combined 90 minutes integrity and 30 minutes insulation from the ceiling pitch to the roof void floor.
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About firefly Zeus Lite 90:30:
Use Areas
Used primarily in roof voids and lofts to achieve fire-rated compartmentation lines throughout a building
- Extensively used in social housing, care homes and healthcare, separating accommodation and living spaces to communal areas and corridors
- Also used in larger areas within industrial, warehousing, food processing, data centres and offices to create required
- FIREFLY® Zeus Lite 90:30provides a combined 90 minutes Integrity and 30 minutes Insulation
- Maintains fire-rated compartmentation lines through roof voids and difficult to access areas where flexibility is an advantage
- Lightweight, flexible, easy to handle and cut
- Installer-friendly fire barrier system
- Fully tested to BS476 and independently certified by IFCC/Kiwa
- Reaction to fire Classification A1 (BS EN 13501:1)
- FIREFLY® Zeus Lite 90:30is supported by a full range of FIREFLY® ancillary products (stainless steel staples, sealants, fixing, supports) to provide the ability to install a fully tested system
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Challenges and How We Overcame Them
Vulnerable Tenants – Certain areas of the home had vulnerable people placed, all engineers and office staff at Meritas take regular training to ensure respectful and supportive interactions, we are regularly trained in:
- First Aid
- Mental Health Awareness
Health & Safety – Safety was a top priority for us, regular ladder inspections, appropriate signage, daily point of work risk assessments (POWRA), toolbox talks and ongoing communication protocols allowed us to complete all works safely and without incident, protecting both tenants and engineers.
Scope of Works
Throughout this remediation project the scope varied across each site, highlighting the importance of thorough, site-specific surveys. Our services included:
Intrusive Survey
Installation of third-party accredited fire protection systems, including:
- Zeus life Fire Curtain
- High temperature adhesive
- Ancillaries & Fixings
- Roof cavity closers
- Ablative coating
- Intumescent mastic
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Conclusion
Thanks to the measures Meritas took, the care home has now been brought back in line with fire safety standards, ensuring compliance and most importantly, enhancing the safety and peace of mind for its residents and staff.
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