Fire stopping inspection checklist: what to check before it’s covered up

Fire stopping is one of the most important and most often failed parts of a building. It’s small, hidden quickly, and done by different trades at different times. Once a ceiling or lining goes up, the only proof it was done right is the record made before it was covered.

This checklist sets out what to inspect and record.

Before work starts

• Fire strategy and drawings: which walls and floors are fire-rated, and for how long (for example 60 or 120 minutes)
• Approved products and details: each product tested for the actual situation (wall type, service type, size, insulation)
• Installer competence: many clients now require installers working under a third-party certification scheme
• Sequence: services must be complete in an area before sealing starts, with a signed hand-back from M&E (see M&E guide)

At each penetration

• Correct product for the service: pipe collar, wrap, sealant, batt or pillow, as per the approved detail
• Correct size of collar or wrap for the pipe diameter and material
• Annular gap within the product’s tested limits
• Seal depth and coverage on both sides where the detail requires it
• Supports for services within the distance required by the detail
• No unsealed gaps, voids or later additions (cables pushed through after sealing are a common failure)
• Label with ID, product, installer and date
• Photo showing the finished seal and the label, tied to location on the drawing

At linear joints and wall heads

• Deflection head detail as specified, with intumescent strip or sealant where required
• Gaps at partition-to-slab and partition-to-façade junctions sealed with the tested system
• No mixing of products from different systems unless the detail allows it

Records you need

• A penetration register: ID, location, service, size, rating, product, installer, inspection result, photo
• Inspection records at each hold point in the ITP
• Product data sheets and installation details for what was used
• Installer competence evidence
• Closed NCRs with photos of the fix

On higher-risk buildings these records are a core part of the Gateway 3 evidence and the golden thread.

Common defects we find

• Wrong collar size, or a collar on the wrong side of the wall
• Sealant used beyond its tested gap size
• New cables or pipes added after sealing, with no re-seal
• Mixed products from different manufacturers’ systems
• Missing labels and photos, so compliant work can’t be proved

Who should inspect?

The installer should self-check every penetration. Independent inspection at hold points, before boarding, gives the main contractor and client confidence, and gives the installer proof their work was right when it was covered. See a real-format example in our sample NCR.

Need fire stopping and QA evidence you can rely on? We set up your records, inspect at hold points anywhere in the UK and report monthly or on request. See sample reports or book a visit.