Compartmentation principles and effectiveness

The degree to which a building or separated part of a building is subdivided into compartments is related to the use of and the fire load in the building, the height to the top storey and the provision or otherwise of a sprinkler system. Compartmentation may assist in meeting the provisions of Section 2 or Section 5 of this Technical Booklet. For compartmentation to be effective there should be continuity at the junctions of the fire-resisting elements enclosing the compartment and any opening from one compartment to another should not present a weakness. The spaces which connect compartments, e.g. stairs, service shafts, etc., should be enclosed to form protected shafts and their walls and floors should be constructed as compartment walls and compartment floors.