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Passive Fire Surveys

Alterations, incomplete construction records and visible gaps can leave uncertainty about doors, partitions, floors and service penetrations. Describe when the issue started and any change in use, operation or layout. A clear history helps distinguish a new fault from an existing limitation or a planned improvement.

Tell us what needs doing

If tenants or other occupiers are affected, record which areas they use and who controls them. This helps prevent an instruction for one property area overlooking a shared system.

What the work can include

Review the available fire information; inspect agreed elements; photograph and locate concerns; identify further investigation and potential remedial work. The agreed scope should state which areas or equipment are included, what is excluded and the form of the completion record.

Ask for findings that identify the affected item or location clearly. A useful record allows you to understand what was done and arrange any follow-on work without starting again.

Important decisions

A broad passive-fire survey and a detailed compartmentation or fire-door survey have different scopes. Choose the depth needed for the decision being made.

Assessment and preparation

Provide plans, previous reports, refurbishment history and hazardous-material information before intrusive work is considered.

Confirm keys, occupant notices, parking or unloading access and the person able to authorise additional work. Photographs can help explain the enquiry where they can be taken safely.

How the work proceeds

Agree the survey boundaries and access method, inspect the selected areas and separate confirmed observations from concealed uncertainties.

Agree any stages before work starts: investigation, a repair proposal and the authorised work may be separate instructions. At completion, establish what can be used, what remains restricted and what happens next.

Cost, timing and disruption

Area, element types, inspection depth, access and reinstatement affect the price. The enquiry and available records establish what can be priced directly and what needs a site assessment first.

Where work affects an entrance, occupied room or shared service, arrange the access window with the people using it. Include any temporary arrangements and reinstatement in the scope so the quotation addresses the whole job.

Applications across sectors

Sleeping accommodation raises different evacuation and access considerations from daytime offices. Education premises need work arranged around children and staff; warehouses need attention to storage and changes in layout. The actual use and fire arrangements govern the scope. Browse the full sector range and describe the actual building use when enquiring.

Locations covered

We cover Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley, including Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland, Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough and the wider towns and communities in our location directory. Send the property address and the area of the building needing attention so access and the work requirement can be considered together.

Frequently asked questions

Can a survey confirm the whole building without opening anything up?

It may identify visible issues, but concealed construction can remain unverified. The report should state those limitations clearly.

What information should I send about passive fire surveys?

Provide plans, previous reports, refurbishment history and hazardous-material information before intrusive work is considered. Include the location and the decision you need to make, such as investigating a fault, planning a repair or setting up a programme.

What affects the price and programme?

Area, element types, inspection depth, access and reinstatement affect the price. Any further investigation or additional work should have a clear scope before it is authorised.

What should the completion information explain?

It should identify the equipment or areas covered, the work and checks performed, limitations and unresolved actions. Keep the record with the property information and share relevant operating instructions with the people who use the equipment or space.

Useful guidance and records

Read what should a fire logbook contain for the supporting decisions and records. Remedial-action tracking explains how to carry an identified defect through to evidenced closure. The relevant official guidance provides the wider technical or management context.

Related work and your next step

Explore Dry and Wet Riser Testing alongside the Fire and Life Safety overview. Connect ongoing work with maintenance, larger changes with projects, and browse all services.

Send Black & White Property Services the property address, symptoms or proposed change, and any existing report. We can then establish the appropriate assessment and work scope. Make an enquiry.

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