Fire-stopping is only as good as its installation. Our surveys reveal systematic failures in fire-stopping quality that are putting thousands of building occupants at risk.. The Fire Stopping Paradox Fire stopping products are rigorously tested to BS EN 1366 standards. They achieve impressive fire resistance ratings in laboratory conditions. Yet our field surveys consistently reveal that real world installations bear little resemblance to tested configurations. The Gap Between Test and Reality Laboratory : Product installed by manufacturer's trained technician, in ideal substrate, with correct preparation, exact specification adherence Site reality : Product installed by general labourer, in damaged substrate, with inadequate preparation, deviation from specification Result : Products that achieve 120 minutes in testing may provide less than 15 minutes on site "I've inspected buildings where fire stopping has been installed using the right product in the wrong configuration. It looks correct on visual inspection, but it would provide almost zero fire resistance in a real fire." — Fire Stopping Inspector The Most Common Failures We Find 1. Wrong Product for the Application Acoustic sealant used instead of fire rated sealant (looks identical) Intumescent mastic used where pillows or batts are required Products used in substrates they haven't been tested with Single sided application where double sided is required 2. Incorrect Installation Depth Fire stopping sealant applied as a surface bead instead of full depth fill Penetration seals not extending to the required depth within the wall/floor Gap too large for the product's tested capability 3. Missing Supporting Construction Large penetrations without backing boards or support channels Service bundles exceeding the tested configuration Mixed services through a single seal (plastic and metal pipes together without testing evidence) 4. Retrospective Damage Fire stopping cut or removed to add new services Services rerouted without reinstating fire stopping Maintenance works damaging existing fire stopping with no repair 5. Complete Absence Penetrations left completely unsealed (the most common finding) Particularly common in service risers and above suspended ceilings Often hidden from view and only discovered during invasive surveys The Certification Landscape Third Party Certification Schemes FIRAS (Fire Industry Registration and Assessment Scheme) — covers installation companies IFC Certification — certifies contractors for passive fire protection installation BRE — certification for fire stopping products and systems Why Certification Matters Third party certified installers must: Demonstrate competence through training and assessment Work in accordance with tested system specifications Maintain quality management systems Submit to regular auditing and inspection Provide certificates of conformity for completed work The Unregulated Reality There is no legal requirement for fire stopping to be installed by a certified contractor. This means: Any subcontractor can install fire stopping with no quality assurance No mandatory inspection regime during construction No requirement for photographic evidence of installation No standard format for fire stopping certificates Best Practice: Getting It Right Specification Specify third party certified fire stopping products with test evidence for every application Include detailed penetration schedules showing product, substrate, and service type for each seal Require manufacturer's datasheets and installation instructions for every product Installation Use only FIRAS or IFC certified fire stopping contractors Require photographic evidence of every seal before and after installation Implement quality inspection at key stages (not just completion) Ensure installing operatives have product specific training Verification Independent third party inspection of completed fire stopping Sampling inspection regime (minimum 25% of seals visually inspected) Invasive inspection of concealed seals at critical locations Digital recording of all inspections with photographic evidence The Legal Implications Building Safety Act 2022 The BSA establishes the principle that fire stopping is part of the Golden Thread. This means: Records of all fire stopping installations must be maintained digitally Changes to fire stopping must be recorded and assessed for safety impact The Accountable Person is responsible for ensuring fire stopping is maintained Construction Products Regulations Products must be honestly marketed with accurate performance claims. The use of products in configurations outside their tested scope may constitute a breach of product safety law. Magnus Opifex Fire Stopping Services Fire stopping surveys — specialist inspection of installed fire stopping Specification writing — detailed fire stopping specifications for new projects Quality inspection — independent inspection during construction Remediation management — oversee