Poor fire stopping is undermining compartmentation across thousands of UK buildings. We examine the scale of the problem and solutions.. The Scale of the Problem Fire stopping — the sealing of gaps around service penetrations through fire rated walls and floors — is one of the most critical yet most neglected aspects of passive fire protection. Why Fire Stopping Fails Incorrect product selection — using generic sealant instead of tested fire stopping systems Poor installation — gaps too large, incorrect depth, missing backing No third party certification — installers without FIRAS or IFC accreditation Subsequent trades — electricians and plumbers breaking through sealed penetrations No inspection regime — fire stopping installed and never checked again The Legal Position Under the Building Regulations 2010 (Regulation B3), compartment walls and floors must resist fire for specified periods. Any penetration that compromises this is a breach. Under the RRO 2005, the responsible person must ensure passive fire protection is maintained. Solutions 1. Third party certified installers — FIRAS, IFC, or BRE certified 2. Photographic records — before and after every installation 3. Regular surveys — compartmentation surveys every 3 5 years 4. Digital records — part of the golden thread for higher risk buildings 5. Competent supervision — fire stopping coordinator on larger projects For fire stopping surveys and remediation, contact us.