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Our Guide to Structural Steel Fire Protection
A fire stopping survey or fire compartmentation survey helps identify whether your building’s passive fire protection measures are still performing as intended. Over time, fire stopping can be damaged, removed, poorly installed, or affected by later works, which can compromise the ability of walls, floors and other fire resisting elements to contain fire and smoke.
At Fire Industry Specialists Ltd, we provide passive fire protection surveys, fire stopping inspections and wider fire compartmentation surveys for commercial, industrial, residential, healthcare, education and public sector buildings across the UK. Our experienced surveyors assess the condition of existing fire stopping and compartmentation, identify non compliant areas and provide clear recommendations for remedial work.
Whether you need a focused fire stopping survey or a broader passive fire survey, our team can help you understand the condition of your building and the action required to keep it safe and compliant.
Passive fire protection surveys for commercial buildings
Passive fire protection is built into the structure of a building to slow the spread of fire and smoke. It includes systems such as fire stopping, fire doors, fire rated walls and floors, cavity barriers, fire barriers and structural fire protection.
A passive fire protection survey checks whether these systems are present, correctly installed and still able to perform as intended. This is especially important in commercial buildings where ongoing maintenance, tenant changes, refurbishment works and new service installations can create hidden breaches.
Our passive fire protection surveyors support building owners, contractors, facilities managers, landlords, responsible persons and managing agents with clear, practical inspections. The aim is to help you understand any gaps in protection, prioritise remedial works and demonstrate that fire safety risks are being actively managed.
What is a fire compartmentation survey?
A fire compartmentation survey is a detailed inspection of the fire resisting elements that divide a building into separate compartments. These compartments are designed to contain fire and smoke for a specified period, helping protect escape routes and giving occupants more time to evacuate.
So, what is fire compartmentation in practical terms? It is the use of fire resistant walls, floors, ceilings, doors, barriers and seals to restrict the spread of fire through a building. If any part of this system is damaged or breached, compartmentation may fail. A compartmentation survey can include checks of:
- fire resisting walls and floors
- ceiling voids and roof voids
- risers, shafts and service cupboards
- fire doors and door frames
- cavity barriers and fire barriers
- service penetrations for pipes, cables and ducts
- fire stopping products and systems
- junctions between walls, floors and ceilings
This type of survey gives a wider view of how well your building can contain fire, rather than only focusing on one product or location.
What is a fire stopping survey?
A fire stopping survey is a more focused inspection of the fire stopping systems installed throughout a building. Fire stopping is used to seal gaps, joints and service penetrations where pipes, ducts, cables or other services pass through fire resisting walls and floors.
If these openings are not correctly sealed, fire and smoke can spread through the building far more quickly. This can put escape routes, neighbouring compartments and occupants at risk.
During a fire stopping inspection, our team will assess areas such as service risers, plant rooms, ceiling voids, corridors, walls, floors and high risk service routes. We look for missing, damaged, poorly fitted or non compliant fire stopping products, including batts, collars, wraps, sealants and compounds.
Fire stopping surveys are particularly useful after refurbishment works, mechanical and electrical installations, tenant changes or where previous fire stopping records are incomplete.
Fire stopping survey vs fire compartmentation survey
The terms fire stopping survey and fire compartmentation survey are closely linked, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.
A fire stopping survey focuses specifically on the seals and systems used around service penetrations, voids and joints. It checks whether fire stopping has been correctly installed and whether it remains effective.
A fire compartmentation survey is broader. It looks at the overall integrity of the building’s fire resisting compartments, including walls, floors, ceilings, risers, shafts, fire doors, cavity barriers and fire stopping.
In simple terms, fire stopping is one part of compartmentation. A building may need a targeted fire stopping survey if there are concerns around service penetrations, or a full compartmentation survey where the wider fire separation strategy needs to be checked.
At FIS, we offer both services, helping clients choose the right level of inspection based on the building, risk profile and existing fire safety information.
Our fire stopping & compartmentation survey process
1. Initial consultation and scope review
We begin by discussing your building, the concerns you have, and the level of survey required. This may include reviewing available fire strategy information, existing drawings, previous fire risk assessments, or known problem areas. This helps us determine whether you need a targeted fire stopping survey, a broader fire compartmentation survey, or a wider passive fire protection survey covering multiple systems.
At this stage, we also agree the survey scope, access requirements, building areas to be inspected, and any operational considerations, such as live healthcare environments, schools, commercial premises, or occupied residential buildings.
2. On-site passive fire inspection
Our surveyors then carry out an on-site passive fire inspection, assessing accessible areas where fire stopping and compartmentation may be compromised. This can include walls, floors, ceiling voids, risers, shafts, service cupboards, plant rooms, corridors, fire doors, cavity barriers, and service penetrations.
During the inspection, we look for missing, damaged, incomplete, or non-compliant fire stopping, as well as wider compartmentation issues that could allow fire and smoke to spread. This practical site assessment gives you a clearer picture of how well your building’s passive fire protection is performing in real conditions.
3. Evidence capture and defect reporting
Where issues are identified, we record clear evidence to support the findings. This can include photographic records, marked-up drawings or schematic references, defect logs, location details, and descriptions of the issue found.
This stage is particularly useful for building managers and responsible persons because it turns hidden or technical fire safety defects into a clear, documented report. Instead of vague observations, you receive structured information showing what has been found, where it is located, and why it may affect fire safety compliance.
4. Remedial recommendations and next steps
Once the survey is complete, we provide clear remedial recommendations based on the findings. These may include reinstating fire stopping, replacing damaged materials, sealing service penetrations, repairing compartmentation breaches, or arranging further investigation where areas are inaccessible.
Where required, FIS can also provide a quote for remedial works, helping you move from inspection to resolution without needing to start the process again with a separate contractor. This ensures that defects are not only identified but can be addressed in a practical, compliant, and timely way.
What does a passive fire protection survey include?
The exact scope of a passive fire protection survey will depend on the building type, layout, size and level of risk. However, the purpose is always the same: to identify whether passive fire protection measures are present, suitable and correctly maintained. A typical survey may include:
- visual inspection of fire stopping and compartmentation lines
- review of walls, floors, ceilings, risers and service penetrations
- photographic evidence of defects or areas of concern
- schematic drawings or marked up plans where available
- defect logs showing location, issue type and severity
- recommendations for remedial action
- compliance report for your records
- quotation for remedial works where required
This clear reporting helps building managers and responsible persons understand what has been inspected, what issues have been identified and what steps need to be taken next.
For more complex sites, such as hospitals, schools, apartment blocks, industrial units or multi building estates, our reporting can also support planned maintenance programmes and wider passive fire protection strategies.
Common issues found during passive fire inspections
A passive fire inspection often reveals issues that are hidden above ceilings, inside risers, behind service routes or within areas that are not visible during everyday building use.
Common issues include missing fire stopping around service penetrations, damaged or poorly fitted fire batts, unsealed cable routes, incorrectly installed collars or wraps, gaps above compartment walls, breached risers, damaged fire doors and missing cavity barriers.
These problems often occur after building works. For example, contractors may install new cables, pipework or ducting through a fire resisting wall without reinstating the fire stopping afterwards. Over time, even small changes can weaken the building’s compartmentation.
Identifying these defects early allows remedial work to be planned before the issue becomes a more serious compliance or safety concern.
Who needs a fire stopping or compartmentation survey?
Fire stopping and compartmentation surveys are useful for any building where passive fire protection plays a role in protecting occupants, assets and escape routes. They are particularly important in higher risk, complex or heavily serviced buildings.
You may need a survey if you are responsible for:
- commercial offices
- schools, colleges or universities
- hospitals, clinics or healthcare facilities
- apartment blocks or HMOs
- care homes
- warehouses or industrial units
- public sector buildings
- hotels or leisure facilities
- mixed use developments
- buildings undergoing refurbishment or change of use
Surveys are also valuable where there is limited documentation, where previous works may have disturbed fire stopping, or where a fire risk assessment has identified concerns around compartmentation.
Fire safety compliance and survey standards
Passive fire protection and compartmentation are key parts of fire safety compliance. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must take general fire precautions and ensure fire safety measures are properly maintained.
Approved Document B provides guidance on fire safety in building design, including the prevention of internal fire spread and the importance of compartmentation. Depending on the building and systems involved, standards such as BS 9999, BS 476 and BS EN 1366 may also be relevant.
A passive fire protection inspection gives you documented evidence that fire stopping and compartmentation have been reviewed. It can support fire risk assessments, compliance planning, maintenance programmes and remedial works.
For building owners, facilities managers and contractors, a survey is not just about identifying defects. It is about creating a clear action plan to restore and maintain the building’s passive fire protection.
Why choose FIS for passive fire protection surveys?
At Fire Industry Specialists Ltd, we understand how fire stopping, fire doors, fire barriers and compartmentation work together to protect a building. Our team provides clear, practical advice that helps you understand what needs attention and why. Our support includes:
- targeted inspections of fire stopping and compartmentation
- clear reporting with photographic evidence and defect locations
- practical remedial recommendations
- support with compliance records and maintenance planning
- installation and remedial works where issues are identified
As part of the LS Fire Group, we provide UK wide coverage with a strong regional presence across Nottingham, Lincoln, Sheffield and Manchester. Whether you need fire stopping surveys, support across multiple sites or a wider passive fire project, we can help.
Book a fire stopping or compartmentation survey
If you are unsure whether your fire stopping or compartmentation is still performing as intended, a professional survey can give you the clarity you need.
FIS can inspect your building, identify defects, provide clear reporting and recommend suitable remedial action. Whether you need a standalone fire stopping survey, a wider fire compartmentation survey or a full passive fire protection survey, our team is ready to help.
Contact Fire Industry Specialists Ltd today to arrange a survey or speak to our team about your passive fire protection requirements.
Fire safety is a responsibility that never rests and we’re here to implement complete fire protection for your business. Get in touch with our industry-leading experts to learn how we prevent fires, protect lives, and ensure compliance for you.
Fire stopping & compartmentation survey FAQs
- How often should passive fire protection surveys be carried out?
- There is no single fixed frequency for every building, but passive fire protection should be reviewed regularly as part of ongoing fire safety management. Surveys are especially important after refurbishment works, service installations, change of use, tenant changes or where a fire risk assessment identifies concerns.
- Who is responsible for arranging a compartmentation survey?
- The responsible person, building owner, landlord, managing agent, facilities manager or duty holder will usually be responsible for arranging a compartmentation survey. In construction or refurbishment projects, contractors and developers may also arrange surveys to confirm compliance before handover.
- What happens after defects are found?
- If defects are found, the survey report should clearly identify the issue, location and recommended remedial action. FIS can provide guidance on next steps and, where required, quote for remedial fire stopping or passive fire protection works to restore the building’s compartmentation and compliance.
- Do compartmentation surveys require destructive inspection?
- Not always. Many compartmentation surveys begin as visual or non-destructive inspections, checking accessible areas such as ceiling voids, risers, service cupboards, walls, floors, and fire stopping around penetrations. In some cases, limited intrusive investigation may be recommended if there are concerns about hidden defects or inaccessible areas. The level of inspection should be agreed based on the building, risk level, and survey objectives.
- Do I need a fire stopping survey if my building already has a fire risk assessment?
- A fire risk assessment may identify concerns around fire stopping or compartmentation, but it will not always include a detailed inspection of passive fire protection systems. A dedicated fire stopping survey provides a more focused review of service penetrations, seals, materials, and compartmentation breaches. If your fire risk assessment highlights issues with fire spread, escape routes, or passive protection, a specialist survey is often the next step.
- Can FIS carry out remedial works after the survey?
- Yes, FIS can support remedial works after a survey has identified defects. This may include reinstating missing fire stopping, replacing damaged materials, sealing service penetrations, repairing compartmentation breaches, or upgrading passive fire protection systems. Providing survey and remedial support helps ensure issues are not only identified but resolved to the correct standard.
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