New Buildings Aren’t Always Compliant: Why Fire Stopping and Compartmentation Still Fail

There’s a common assumption in the construction and property industry that new buildings are automatically compliant when it comes to fire safety.

In reality, this isn’t always the case.

During surveys and inspections, we regularly identify compartmentation and fire stopping issues in buildings that are less than ten years old- and in some cases, only recently completed. These issues are rarely intentional, but they can have serious implications for fire safety, compliance, and future assessments.

Compartmentation: The Hidden Weak Point

Compartmentation is designed to limit the spread of fire and smoke by dividing a building into fire-resisting sections. When these compartments are breached- even in small ways- the effectiveness of the entire fire strategy can be undermined.

In newer buildings, we often find:

• Unsealed or poorly sealed service penetrations
• Fire stopping damaged during later works and not reinstated
• Inadequate fire protection around risers, ceilings, or wall junctions
• Alterations carried out without review of fire performance

Because many of these elements are concealed behind finishes, problems often go unnoticed until a Fire Risk Assessment, compartmentation survey, or EWS-related review is undertaken.

Why This Matters for Building Owners and Managers

Fire safety issues in new buildings can lead to:

• Unexpected remedial works
• Increased costs due to opening up finished areas
• Delays during compliance reviews or assessments
• Concerns raised by residents, insurers, or lenders

Early identification is key. The sooner issues are found, the easier and less disruptive they are to address.

The Importance of Early Planning and Ongoing Review

Fire stopping and compartmentation should be considered from the earliest stages of a project- and reviewed throughout the building’s lifecycle.

Effective approaches include:

• Coordinating fire stopping at first fix
• Using competent installers and inspectors
• Maintaining clear records of fire safety measures
• Reviewing fire performance after alterations or refurbishments

A proactive approach helps protect both compliance and occupant safety.

How Safeguard Supports Building Safety

At Safeguard Fire & Compliance, we regularly work with building owners, managing agents, and project teams to identify and address fire safety issues before they escalate.

Through compartmentation surveys, fire stopping inspections, and external wall system reviews, we help ensure that buildings perform as intended- not just on completion, but long-term.