Just a short walk from the Merseyrail station at Seaforth and Litherland, stands Willow House, Liverpool, a 14-storey tower block dating back to the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Set within a well-connected residential area close to the docks and key transport routes into the city, this part of north Liverpool has long been characterised by its mix of post-war housing and gradual regeneration. Buildings like Willow House remain central to the local community, providing essential housing stock and reinforcing the importance of ongoing maintenance and robust safety standards.
Expanding passive fire portfolio
It is the latest addition to the expanding passive fire protection portfolio of Block Compliance Ltd, with further developments across Waterloo and Toxteth also being brought into scope. Encouragingly, Willow House is fully occupied and well managed, presenting a positive example of how residential tower blocks should be maintained. This stands in contrast to nearby buildings that have fallen into disrepair, where lack of oversight can quickly lead to increased risk.
Block Compliance Ltd were commissioned to carry out a programme of passive fire protection works, following a comprehensive fire risk assessment. This type of work is fundamental to ensuring that buildings perform as intended in the event of a fire.
At the core of this is fire compartmentation
This is a critical principle of fire safety design, where a building is divided into a series of fire-resisting compartments using walls, floors and protected service penetrations. The aim is to contain fire and smoke within a defined area for a specified period of time, preventing rapid spread and protecting escape routes.
In real terms, this involves ensuring that every element of the building’s structure performs as it should. Fire doors must close correctly and provide the required resistance. Walls and floors must remain intact without hidden breaches. Service penetrations, such as those created for pipes, cables and ventilation systems, must be properly sealed using tested fire stopping systems.
Even small gaps or poorly installed materials can compromise an entire compartment. That is why detailed inspection is so important.
Willow House work
Work at Willow House is currently being carried out by one of our passive fire surveyors, who is undertaking a full compartmentation survey starting from the top floor and working down methodically. Each level is assessed in detail, with close attention paid to compartment lines, service risers, ceiling voids and wall junctions. Issues are recorded, photographed and, where necessary, rectified to restore the integrity of the building’s fire protection measures.
This structured approach creates a clear and traceable record of the building’s condition. Detailed reports, supported by photographic evidence, provide building owners and responsible persons with a transparent overview of risks and remedial actions.
The Building Safety Act 2022
The importance of this work has been reinforced by the Building Safety Act 2022, which places increased responsibility on those managing higher-risk residential buildings. The legislation requires duty holders to demonstrate that fire risks are not only identified, but actively managed and reviewed over time.
Regular inspection of fire compartmentation forms a key part of this ongoing duty. While the exact frequency of intrusive surveys depends on the building’s risk profile, industry best practice typically sees full compartmentation surveys carried out every three to five years. These are supported by more frequent fire risk assessments and continuous maintenance checks to ensure that standards do not slip between inspections.
Willow House represents a proactive approach to compliance
It is a building that is occupied, maintained and subject to structured professional oversight, aligning with both current legislation and best practice within the industry.
Through detailed surveys, practical remediation and clear reporting, Block Compliance Ltd continue to support safer residential environments across Liverpool and the wider UK.
You can download our 2026 brochure here.
