Case Study - Premier Inn Exeter City Centre

SUMMARY OF APPOINTMENT
To provide a compliance review of internal and external fire safety measures, including an 
assessment of current risks and responsibility within a complex commercial asset.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
A prominent mixed-use commercial building in Exeter city centre, comprising a Premier Inn 
hotel, gym and commercial units that required an additional technical review following 
widespread inspection findings highlighting potential construction defects and fire safety 
concerns arising from the ongoing maintenance of the building.

Appointed by Forsters LLP and JLL who were acting as the managing agent for the building 
owner to provide technical compliance and fire safety advice in relation to:

• Inspection data from internal and external fire safety inspections
• Historical construction issues which had been part-remediated
• Unresolved defects despite prior contractor remediation
• Concerns over fire safety compliance and ongoing building risk

We delivered a comprehensive, evidence-led assessment, combining technical expertise with 
practical insight. Our work included:

• Forensic review of original design, construction and inspection records
• Analysis of historic and recent inspection data
• Independent site inspections of internal areas and the external façade
• Targeted evaluation of fire stopping, compartmentation and fire door compliance

We translated complex technical findings into a clear Initial Advice Report and more detailed 
Fire Engineering Report, identifying:

• The root causes of the internal and external defects
• Whether issues stemmed from design, construction, or maintenance failures
• The extent of risk and non-compliance

Our desktop review and site inspections provided the client with a detailed technical report
setting out:

• A clear assessment of compliance at the time of construction
• Insight into whether design and installation had satisfied the compliance standards
• A comprehensive schedule of defects across the asset
• Defined remedial strategies to satisfy the original compliance requirements and achieve a 
tolerable level of risk aligned with current standards, particularly for fire safety

OUR EXPERTISE IN ACTION
• Identified complex building failures across design, construction and maintenance
• Provided clear and detailed technical advice on the defects and remedial actions
• Supported JLL and building owner in managing compliance and risk