Fire Stopping Survey & Compartmentation

A fire stopping survey is a detailed inspection of a building’s passive fire protection systems. Our surveyors identify breaches, gaps and defects in the fire compartmentation that is designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different parts of the building.

Fire compartmentation degrades over time. Service penetrations for pipes, cables and ducts pass through fire-resistant walls and floors, and each one is a potential breach point. Without regular inspection, these weaknesses go undetected until it is too late.

We are IFC certified and specialise in fire stopping for residential and domestic properties. Following every survey, you will receive a professionally produced survey report that is easy to understand. It highlights areas where fire resisting walls and floors have been breached and recommends the remedial works needed to restore fire compartmentation integrity.

Our fire compartmentation survey is a comprehensive inspection of every element that contributes to a building’s fire strategy. We assess the condition of compartment walls and floors, service penetrations, voids, risers, dampers, ceilings and fire doors to build a complete picture of compartmentation integrity.

During the survey, our team inspects the following areas:

Compartment walls and floors between fire-rated sections of the building
Service penetrations where pipes, cables and ducts pass through fire barriers
Ceiling voids and floor voids where fire and smoke can travel undetected
Risers and plant rooms where multiple services converge
Fire doors and fire door frames for correct installation, fit and certification
Dampers and fire-rated closers within ventilation and ductwork systems
Means of escape corridors and stairwell compartmentation

We carry out a detailed inspection of each area, checking for missing, damaged or incorrectly installed fire stopping. Every breach is recorded with photographic evidence and categorised by risk level.

The survey output is a comprehensive report covering all parts of the building that were inspected. It identifies where fire resisting walls and floors have been compromised, documents the types of compartmentation failures found, and provides a prioritised schedule of remedial works needed to restore compliance.

The Importance of Fire Stopping Surveys for Fire Safety

Fire stopping is a legal requirement in the UK. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires responsible persons to maintain fire compartmentation and ensure that passive fire protection systems remain effective. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, and in the case should a fire event unfortunately occur, inadequate compartmentation can have devastating consequences.

Breaches in fire compartmentation allow fire and smoke to spread between compartments, reducing the time available for safe evacuation. Effective fire stopping prevents the spread of fire and restricts the spread of smoke through a building, protecting means of escape routes and giving occupants more time to reach safety.

A fire risk assessment often identifies the need for a compartmentation survey as a follow-up action. Our survey provides the documented evidence needed to demonstrate compliance with fire safety regulations. This is essential for building management, insurance purposes and regulatory inspections.

Buildings change over time. Refurbishment works, new service installations and general wear all introduce high risk breach points. Regular surveys ensure these are identified and addressed before they compromise the building’s fire protection system and strategy. Read more about fire stopping regulations in the UK.

Fire-stop barriers

Fire-stop sealants 

Fire-stop Collars & Wraps

1. Initial Consultation – We discuss the building’s fire strategy, review existing documentation and agree the scope of the survey with you.

2. On-Site Inspection – Our accredited surveyors carry out a comprehensive fire compartmentation inspection, examining every relevant area of the building. We use specialist equipment to access voids, risers and concealed spaces.

3. Report Delivery – You receive a professionally produced survey report with photographic evidence, risk categorisation and clear remedial recommendations. The report is designed to be easy to understand for building managers, landlords and fire safety professionals.

4. Remedial Works – QSD can carry out the fire stopping remedial works identified in the survey. Keeping the survey and the remedial work under one roof means faster turnaround and complete accountability.

Fire-stop barriers

Fire-stop sealants 

Fire-stop Collars & Wraps

What is a fire stopping survey?

A fire stopping survey is a comprehensive inspection of a building’s passive fire protection systems. It identifies breaches, gaps and defects in fire compartmentation – the walls, floors and barriers designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke between different parts of the building. The objective of the survey is to determine areas where fire resisting walls and floors have been compromised.

How often should a fire compartmentation survey be carried out?

Fire compartmentation surveys should be carried out regularly as part of your building’s fire safety management plan. We recommend a full survey every 12 months, or sooner if building works, refurbishment or new service installations have taken place. Fire door surveys and fire door inspections should also be scheduled as part of this process.

What is the difference between a fire risk assessment and a fire inspection?

A fire risk assessment evaluates the overall fire risk within a building and identifies hazards. A fire stopping inspection or fire compartmentation survey focuses specifically on the physical condition of passive fire protection systems including fire rated walls, floors, fire doors and penetration seals. Both are essential to UK fire safety compliance.

What types of passive fire protection systems are checked?

Our surveyors inspect all types of compartmentation including penetration seals, fire rated walls and floors, cavity barriers, fire doors with certified fire door frames, dampers and intumescent products. We assess the full range of passive fire protection systems to ensure effective fire containment across the building.

Is a fire stopping survey a legal requirement?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires responsible persons to assess and maintain fire safety provisions, including fire compartmentation. A survey provides the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance with UK fire safety regulations.

What types of buildings need a fire stopping survey?

Any building with fire compartmentation requirements benefits from regular surveys. This includes residential blocks, social housing, care homes, HMOs, commercial premises and buildings undergoing change of use or refurbishment. A fire stopping survey is relevant to any part of a building where fire could spread to or from another part of the same building or an adjoining building.