Building Fires & Compartmentation Breaches: Why Landlords Must Care
Building fires are rising, and while freeholders must legally remediate structural defects and breaches, you, the leaseholder, remain responsible for your tenants’ lives.
A freeholder’s compartmentation failure can quickly become your tragedy if smoke breaches your flat. Don’t wait for the freeholder or block management to act—here are five immediate actions to protect your tenants today.
Ensure the Freeholder’s Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is Up to Date
Ensure the building’s Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is current and that any significant findings—such as compartmentation breaches—have been addressed. If you request the FRA from your freeholder and find it is older than 12 months, it may not be meeting standard UK fire safety best practice, and you have reasonable grounds to request a review.
Look for Signs of Compartmentation Defects
In flats above shops and converted buildings, fire safety relies on effective separation between different parts of the building. Landlords or their agents should before letting check inside the flat for visible gaps around pipes, cables, and other services passing through walls and floors, as these can compromise fire resistance. Report any concerns to the freeholder immediately.
Check Fire Doors Are Working Properly
Remind tenants not to wedge fire doors open or interfere with self-closing devices as these affect the overall compartmentation effectiveness of the flat and building. Encourage tenants to conduct simple visual checks of flat entrance doors and communal fire doors to ensure they close properly and show no signs of damage, warping, or excessive gaps. It keeps the tenants safe and you compliant.
4. Keep Escape Routes Clear
Inspect shared staircases, hallways, and communal areas to ensure they remain free from bicycles, pushchairs, storage items, and refuse. Obstructed escape routes can slow evacuation and increase the danger from smoke and fire.
5. Make Sure Tenants Understand Fire Procedures
Provide tenants with clear information about the building’s fire safety arrangements, including evacuation procedures, escape routes, and who to contact if they identify a fire safety concern. This is especially important in mixed-use buildings where residential accommodation sits above or alongside commercial premises.
Download your free tenants’ fire door checklist.
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