Need help? Click here to get advice from your fire stopping experts to ensure your premises are compliant with Fire Safety legislation.

A firestop system generally includes fire-resistant materials, such as sealants, putties, wraps, collars, or intumescent products. These are installed in openings, gaps or penetrations to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

You must use the correct fire stopping system for the hole/penetration that you are filling. Again, why you should always employ accredited Fire Stopping contractors!

Firestop materials are rated based on their ability to maintain the integrity of a fire barrier, typically using the criteria of fire resistance (F), integrity (E), and insulation (I). These ratings are often represented as time intervals (e.g., 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes).

Well it's complicated, legislation is being tightened after the Grenfell tragedy. The Fire Safety Act of 2021 closes some key gaps in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005. The Building Fire Safety Act comes into full effect in October 2024. It passes financial responsibility of non-compliance to landlords and developers, for example.

And don't forget Approved Document B which requires Fire Stopping measures to be taken where reasonably necessary.

Importantly, 3rd party accreditations (e.g. BMTRADA) are what manufacturers want to see to guarantee a product! Are you using approved Fire Stopping contractors?

Selecting the appropriate Fire Stopping product depends on many factors. These include the size and type of penetration, fire barrier rating, building codes and standards and the expected movement of the penetrating items.

Some common fire stopping materials include:

• intumescent sealants;
• silicone sealants;
• fire stopping putties;
• fire stopping pillows;
• fire stopping wraps; and
• fire stopping collars
• fire batt

Each is designed for specific fire stopping applications.

Ultimately, responsibility lies with the building owner, building management or the Responsible Person. You need to make sure that all penetration and potential fire stopping requirements are met.

At the end of the day, your fire stopping work needs the sign off from a 3rd party accredited professional (in Essex your best choice is Blakes). Because, almost all manufacturers will guarantee their product if it is installed by accredited fire stopping contractors. And to their installation instructions, of course!

Common fire stopping mistakes include; using inappropriate materials, incorrect installation, inadequate inspection and missing off the regular inspection of fire stopping from your additional works/maintenances throughout the lifespan of your building.

A fire stopping survey should be conducted by a 3rd party company and thorough records kept. Additional checks should be noted and added to the records whenever any works take place.

Also, we recommend a yearly inspection for all areas using fire stopping products.

Often, after the initial construction, modifications to run services like cables or pipes through walls are necessary. If not handled by knowledgeable approved fire stopping contractors who understand the consequences. Otherwise these modifications are likely to compromise your fire stopping measures. 

If this happens, your compartment is compromised. It is like an accident waiting to happen... and when a fire does break out in that room. Then either the fire finds its way through the gap or the non-resistant filler melts away, allowing fire, smoke, and toxic fumes to invade other areas of the building.

That's how a small incident becomes a catastrophe...