Hello all,

I am looking for some advice. This is in relation to a bonded spirit maturation warehouse storing spirits in wooden casks.

The warehouse is comprised of multiple compartments, though work is required to make them compliant.

There are 2 sets of requirements in relation to fire compartmentation, from SBS Technical handbook, for a Storage Facility Class 1:

- Compartments must be a maximum of 1000 sq m

- Compartments must have 120min fire resistance

However, DSEAR requires adequate ventilation. HSG51 suggests natural ventilation by way of air bricks at high and low levels to a total of 1% of the wall & ceiling surface area. 

However in several of the compartments, 3 of the walls are adjacent to ather compartments, and could not vent directly to open air. Additionally, if vents were to be put in between compartments, that would negate the 120min fire compartment which has been created? 

Advice and help appreciated,

Grant