Fires at waste yards, recycling centres and materials recovery sites are not only disruptive but dangerous, costly, and increasingly subject to tighter regulation.

Smaller operators now face stronger expectations from regulators (notably the Environment Agency in England and Wales) to have robust Fire Prevention Plans (FPPs) and physical measures that reduce ignition risk and prevent fire spread between stockpiles.

Concrete interlocking block systems — such as Elite Precast’s Legato® and Duo™ blocks — offer a practical, cost-effective way to meet those expectations while keeping operations flexible, says Owen Batham, Sales and Marketing Director at Elite Precast Concrete. Here’s how.

Why regulators and inspectors are pushing for concrete compartmentation
Recent guidance and permitting decisions stress that operators must manage combustible materials to reduce both the likelihood and impact of fires. That includes segregating stockpiles, limiting pile sizes, maintaining safe access, and documenting mitigation in an FPP. The Environment Agency provides an FPP template and expects appropriate mitigations for material storage. Independent industry guidance also highlights compartmentation, good housekeeping, and engineered site measures as core risk-reduction tools.

What Legato® and Duo™ blocks bring to your FPP
Elite Precast manufactures two interlocking concrete block systems widely used for bulk storage, segregation walls and bays.
Legato® interlocking blocks: engineered, high-strength units for permanent or long-term walls and bays, suitable for high walls and heavy-duty storage.
Duo™ interlocking blocks: robust, modular units for flexible, reconfigurable bays and temporary works. They are dry-laid, easy to relocate, and ideal for changing layouts.

How this supports fire compliance
Compartmentation to limit fire spread
Concrete block bays create physical fire breaks between different waste types and stockpiles. By separating combustible streams (for example wood, plastics, mixed waste), you reduce the likelihood that a single ignition event spreads across the site — a core aim of an FPP. Both Legato and Duo form continuous, interlocking walls that remain stable at substantial heights, delivering reliable compartmentation.

Thermal mass and non-combustibility
Concrete is non-combustible. Its thermal mass helps buffer heat and reduce radiant transfer between bays, protecting adjacent stockpiles and infrastructure while a fire is tackled — an advantage noted across fire-risk guidance as part of engineered controls.

Flexible, regulator-friendly layouts
These systems can be relocated and reconfigured easily, helping operators adjust bay sizes to comply with permitted pile height/volume limits or to implement FPP updates without costly permanent works. They also support more permanent segregation where required.

Faster, safer firefighting and access control
Well-planned block bays create clear access routes and predictable layouts, supporting fire service access and the firefighting strategies described in many FPPs. They also help with water-delivery planning, hydrant positioning and isolation strategies required by permits.

Clear evidence for permits and inspections
Including engineered compartmentation — with product specifications and photos — in your FPP shows inspectors exactly what mitigations you have implemented. Permitting decisions increasingly reference “appropriate measures” for storage and emissions control.

Practical ways to use Legato® and Duo™ in your FPP and on site
Map material streams and designate permanent and flexible bays for different waste types; include the site plan in your FPP.
Set pile height/volume limits per bay to match permit conditions and record stock levels; concrete bays make limits visible and enforceable.
Maintain clear separation distances and access routes for firefighting appliances; build these into the layout.
Use concrete bays for higher-risk materials (for example plastics, RRC fines, baled RDF) to reduce heat transfer to adjacent stores.
Keep inspection and maintenance logs for bay integrity, block condition and drainage; attach them to your FPP and permit documents.
Train staff and contractors on bay reconfiguration and emergency procedures linked to the bay layout; regulators will look for training evidence.

Design and installation considerations (to withstand scrutiny)
Foundation and surfacing: blocks are dry-laid but require a firm, level base. Document ground preparation in the FPP and supplier drawings.
Wall height and stability: follow Elite’s product guidance on workable wall heights and obtain structural engineering checks; include specifications in permit submissions.
Drainage and runoff: plan water management to prevent pooling around bays, which can increase risk and impede firefighting; include drainage plans in your layout.
Material compatibility: match bay type to the waste stream. Elite’s blocks suit both permanent storage for heavy or long-term materials and flexible, short-term inventories.

A short regulatory reality check
Regulators expect a documented Fire Prevention Plan and implementation of “appropriate measures” for storing and managing combustible waste — from planning pile sizes and segregation to engineered controls such as compartmentation. Using certified block systems and including specifications and layout diagrams in your FPP demonstrates a proactive, evidence-based approach.

Why Elite Precast is a smart partner for small operators
Elite Precast’s Legato® and Duo™ systems provide proven, practical engineering controls that address what regulators want to see in an FPP: compartmentation, non-combustible barriers, flexibility, and traceable product performance. For small operators on tight budgets, these systems help meet fire-safety expectations without lengthy permanent construction or downtime — and provide clear, auditable evidence for permit applications and inspections.