The Challenge
We were appointed to deliver a complete passive fire protection solution at a North London primary school, ensuring the building achieved full compliance with current fire safety regulations while emaining operational throughout the programme.
Working within a live school environment required absolute precision in planning and delivery. All works were carefully phased around school holidays and half-term periods to minimise disruption, safeguard occupants, and maintain uninterrupted school operations. Our ability to resource projects flexibly and work to immovable deadlines was key to the project’s success.
The Solution
Our scope included the replacement of noncompliant fire door sets, installation of fire-rated compartmentation within the loft space, and comprehensive firestopping to riser cupboards and all service penetrations. A clear fire strategy was developed at the outset, allowing multiple specialist teams to work concurrently and significantly reduce programme duration without compromising quality or compliance.
Within the loft space, we installed FD60 fire-rated compartmentation to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. This included timber-framed partitions treated with intumescent coatings and fitted with ablative fire batt systems sealed using certified intumescent mastic. In parallel, our fire door specialists replaced existing doors with fully compliant FD30 fire door sets, carefully matched to the existing aesthetic of the school to maintain a consistent appearance.
During the school half-term, additional firestopping teams were deployed to accelerate progress. Works included the installation of intumescent collars, firestopping to cable penetrations, and fire batt and patressing systems to all riser cupboards and service openings.
The project was completed on time, within budget, and without disruption to staff or pupils. The school now benefits from a fully compliant passive fire protection system, improved compartmentation, and enhanced life safety throughout the building. This project highlights our ability to deliver complex fire safety solutions in sensitive, live environments, providing clients with confidence, compliance, and certainty from planning through to completion.