Fire Stopping

Fire safety is one of the most important responsibilities for any building owner, landlord, or facilities manager. While many focus on active fire systems such as alarms and sprinklers, passive fire protection is just as vital. Among the most crucial elements of this is fire stopping — and ensuring it’s installed and maintained properly requires a professional fire stopping survey.

At Artius Fire Protection, we provide comprehensive fire stopping surveys across the UK to help clients identify risks, ensure compliance, and safeguard lives and property. To learn more or book a site visit, call 0203 004 0003 today.

What Is a Fire Stopping Survey?

A fire stopping survey is a detailed inspection of a building’s passive fire protection systems — specifically, the materials and methods used to seal service penetrations, joints, and voids in fire-resisting walls, floors, and ceilings.

The purpose of the survey is to assess whether these elements are compliant with UK Building Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, ensuring the building will contain fire and smoke within designated compartments in the event of an incident.

Fire stopping surveys are especially important in:

  • Large or complex buildings such as hospitals, hotels, and schools

  • Properties undergoing refurbishment or maintenance

  • Commercial or industrial buildings with multiple service installations

  • Older structures where fire protection measures are unclear or outdated

Why Fire Stopping Surveys Are Essential

1. Compliance with UK Fire Safety Regulations

Building regulations require all service penetrations through fire-rated barriers to be correctly sealed. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement notices, fines, or even prosecution. A survey ensures your property meets these legal obligations and provides the documentation to prove it.

2. Protection of Lives and Property

Effective fire stopping prevents flames and smoke from spreading through walls and floors, containing the fire to one area and allowing safe evacuation. A single gap can have catastrophic consequences — a survey ensures all voids are identified and properly sealed.

3. Insurance and Liability

Insurance providers often require evidence of compliant fire protection. Failure to maintain adequate fire stopping can invalidate policies. A professional survey from Artius Fire Protection provides peace of mind that your property meets required standards.

4. Avoiding Costly Remedial Work Later

Identifying issues early is far more cost-effective than addressing them after a fire inspection or safety audit. Proactive surveys can help avoid disruption, downtime, and unplanned expenses.

What’s Involved in a Fire Stopping Survey?

A fire stopping survey from Artius Fire Protection follows a structured process designed to ensure thoroughness and accuracy.

1. Initial Consultation and Scope

We begin by reviewing your building’s layout, existing fire safety measures, and areas of concern. Our surveyors then plan a comprehensive inspection tailored to your site.

2. On-Site Inspection

Our experts perform a visual and physical inspection of key areas, including:

  • Service penetrations (pipes, cables, ducts)

  • Fire-resisting walls, floors, and ceilings

  • Expansion joints and voids

  • Cable trays, risers, and suspended ceilings

We use specialist equipment and access methods to check all accessible areas safely and efficiently.

3. Identifying Defects and Non-Compliance

During the inspection, we look for:

  • Missing or damaged fire seals

  • Unsealed penetrations and joints

  • Use of incorrect or non-rated materials

  • Poor workmanship or incomplete installations

  • Gaps caused by later maintenance work

All issues are carefully documented and photographed for your records.

4. Reporting and Recommendations

Once the inspection is complete, we produce a detailed report outlining:

  • Areas of non-compliance

  • The severity and location of each issue

  • Recommended remedial actions

  • Photographic evidence and risk prioritisation

This report gives you clear, actionable guidance on how to achieve full compliance.

5. Remedial Fire Stopping Works

If required, our fully trained team can carry out all necessary remedial works. Using certified fire-stopping materials and methods, we ensure each penetration is properly sealed and compliant with current standards.

When Should You Schedule a Fire Stopping Survey?

It’s good practice to carry out a fire stopping survey:

  • During construction or refurbishment, to verify that fire protection is installed correctly

  • After maintenance work, as contractors may disturb fire seals

  • As part of regular fire safety reviews, typically every 1–3 years depending on building use

  • When acquiring or leasing new premises, to confirm compliance before occupation

Regular surveys form part of an ongoing fire risk management plan, ensuring that safety measures evolve with your building’s needs.

Who Should Conduct a Fire Stopping Survey?

A fire stopping survey must be carried out by a competent and accredited professional. At Artius Fire Protection, our technicians are trained to industry standards and have experience across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, education, residential, and commercial environments.

We are fully conversant with:

  • Approved Document B (Fire Safety)

  • BS 9999:2017 – Code of Practice for Fire Safety in the Design, Management and Use of Buildings

  • Third-party certification schemes for fire-stopping materials and installation methods

Choosing a specialist provider ensures that all surveys and remedial works are verifiable, traceable, and compliant.

How Artius Fire Protection Can Help

At Artius Fire Protection, we deliver complete fire-stopping solutions from inspection through to installation. Our services include:

  • Detailed fire stopping surveys and compliance audits

  • Professional installation and remedial works

  • Fire compartmentation assessments

  • Full documentation and certification for compliance records

We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, commitment to safety, and expert understanding of building regulations.

Book Your Fire Stopping Survey Today

If you’re unsure whether your building’s fire protection measures are compliant, or you need professional reassurance before an audit or inspection, our experienced team can help.

Contact Artius Fire Protection today on 0203 004 0003 to arrange your fire stopping survey.