Defective fire stopping is one of the most common findings in fire risk assessments. How to identify, prioritise and remediate.. The Hidden Fire Safety Problem Fire stopping is invisible when done correctly and only revealed as defective during inspection or, tragically, during a fire. Common Defect Types Missing fire stopping — penetrations never sealed Incorrect products — non fire rated sealants and fillers used Poor installation — gaps, insufficient depth, wrong substrate Damaged — subsequent trades disturbing installed fire stopping Aging — degradation of intumescent materials over time Inspection Methods Visual inspection of accessible penetrations Invasive inspection (opening up) for concealed areas Endoscope/borescope for cavities Review of installation records and third party certification Remediation Prioritisation Critical — escape route compartment walls and floors High — staircase enclosures and risers Medium — general compartment boundaries Low — non critical areas with alternative protection For fire stopping surveys, contact Magnus Opifex. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD — UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy 🌐 magnus opifex.co.uk 📞 +44 7486 691724 ✉️ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby — CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina — Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. © 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.