Positioned within the heart of the City of London, the development at St Paul’s Churchyard occupies one of the capital’s most recognisable and historically significant commercial locations, directly overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral.
KPH engaged Sentinel Contracting to undertake a comprehensive Fire Integrity Survey to assess the condition and effectiveness of passive fire protection measures within their 96,000 sq ft commercial building across 9 floors of grade A office space.
The survey was commissioned to evaluate the integrity of compartmentation and fire-resisting construction in accordance with current UK fire safety legislation, standards, and industry guidance. The project focused specifically on dry lining systems and associated passive fire protection elements, helping the client identify defects, areas of non-compliance, and remedial actions required to maintain fire safety performance throughout the building.
Our intrusive survey approach enabled detailed inspections of accessible compartment lines, dry-lined partitions, ceilings, floors, risers, service penetrations, cavity barriers, and fire doors. Every identified issue was fully documented with photographic evidence and technical recommendations to support future remedial works and compliance strategies.
The objective of the Fire Integrity Survey was to provide a detailed assessment of the building’s passive fire protection systems and identify any defects that could compromise compartmentation or fire resistance performance.
Sentinel’s scope included:
The survey was undertaken as an intrusive Fire Integrity Survey for dry lining systems only and was completed with the understanding that access equipment would be provided by the main contractor during the inspection process.
The assessment was carried out in reference to key UK fire safety legislation and industry guidance, including:
One of the key challenges in delivering this survey was the need to accurately assess concealed passive fire protection details within occupied and partially completed building areas, while operating within non-intrusive limitations outside of dry lining systems.
Sentinel’s experienced survey team adopted a methodical inspection process to ensure that all accessible fire compartmentation elements were reviewed in detail. Particular attention was given to identifying:
Using detailed photographic recording and technical reporting procedures, our team provided clear evidence of each issue identified, alongside practical recommendations for remediation.
By referencing current legislation, ASFP guidance, and third-party certified systems, Sentinel ensured that all findings and recommendations aligned with recognised industry best practice and compliance requirements.
Through our thorough and technically informed approach, Sentinel once again demonstrated its expertise in passive fire protection, fire compartmentation surveys, and compliance-driven fire safety solutions across complex building environments.
Sentinel’s experienced survey team adopted a methodical inspection process to ensure that all accessible fire compartmentation elements were reviewed in detail.
Sentinel was invited to join a major contractor on the ambitious reworking of a 1980s office building into 500,000 sq ft of prime modern office space, incorporating well-being facilities like a gym and swimming pool.
Sentinel Contracting was engaged by Knight Harwood to provide specialist decorating services for The Whittington Building. To complement, we selected Dulux Trade paints for both interior walls and high-traffic areas.
This is a famous building in the heart of St James’s that was in the process of being totally redeveloped. Our painting and fireproofing solutions played a healthy part in the successful completion of the project.
Fire safety is a critical responsibility for building managers, requiring a coordinated approach to protect occupants, support safe evacuation, and minimise damage across commercial, education, healthcare and mixed-use environments.
Across the UK construction and refurbishment sector, expectations are shifting. Building owners and contractors are under increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets while maintaining programme certainty, compliance, and finish quality.
Sentinel Contracting plc
Unit 2a Guildprime Business Centre, Southend Road Billericay, Essex CM11 2PZ
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Cumbria Office: 26 Market Place, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9NQ
