Commercial Building Fire Survey
Case Study

Challenges and How We Overcame Them

The survey identified numerous hidden and highly dangerous breaches across several critical areas, including corridors, stairwells, communications rooms, plant rooms, kitchens, lift motor rooms, reception areas, and above fire doors.

Here are the key challenges our investigators uncovered and how we proposed to overcome them:

• The Danger in the Ceiling Voids: Investigators discovered that fire compartmentation walls stopped abruptly at suspended ceilings, creating concealed pathways for unrestricted fire and smoke spread. Access limitations also initially prevented the confirmation of other hidden breaches.

   

  • Our Solution: We proposed to reinstate missing compartment walls up to the underside of the slab and add dedicated access hatches so hidden voids can be safely inspected in the future.

     

• Incorrect Use of Expanding Foam: A recurring issue throughout the property—including boiler rooms, corridor walls, and around structural steel beams—was the use of standard, non-fire-rated expanding foam. While expanding foam may appear to seal a gap, standard products rapidly fail when exposed to heat.

  • Our Solution: We recommended completely removing the non-compliant foam and replacing it with certified, tested intumescent and graphite sealants.

     

• Failing Fire Curtains and Dampers: Above corridor fire doors, the survey uncovered damaged fire curtains and incorrectly specified fire dampers that were entirely unsuitable for the curtain wall system. In one shocking area, ducting had even been capped using wood.

  • Our Solution: Meritas outlined a plan to replace the deteriorated curtains, install correctly specified fire damper systems, and ensure all penetrations passing through these barriers are fully protected