This article is written for site supervisors, managers and contractors who are responsible for fire stopping on projects regulated by the Building Safety Regulator.
Fire stopping is one of the most closely scrutinised elements under the Building Safety Act. It is not enough for fire stopping to be installed correctly. It must also be evidenced clearly, consistently and at the right time.
At Gateway 3, BSR does not assess fire stopping based on assurances. It assesses it based on evidence.
Why Fire Stopping Evidence Matters
Fire stopping is critical to compartmentation, smoke control and escape strategy. Once it is covered up, it becomes difficult or impossible to verify without opening up the work.
For this reason, BSR expects fire stopping to be treated as a safety-critical activity that is proven as it is installed, not reconstructed later.
Poor or missing fire stopping evidence is one of the most common causes of delay and challenge at final approval.
What BSR Is Looking For
BSR is not looking for excessive paperwork. It is looking for clear proof that fire stopping has been installed in line with approved details and tested systems.
In simple terms, BSR wants to see:
If any one of these is missing, the fire stopping is treated as unproven.
Types of Fire Stopping Evidence BSR Accepts
The most commonly accepted forms of evidence include:
Site photographs
Photos taken before fire stopping is concealed are essential. These should clearly show:
Photos should be dated, traceable and linked to a location or drawing reference.
Installation records
Records showing when fire stopping was installed, by whom, and to which detail. These do not need to be complex, but they must be clear and consistent.
Product information and certification
Evidence that the products used match the approved system, including:
Generic product data without system relevance is often challenged.
Inspection and sign-off records
Checks carried out by competent persons confirming that the fire stopping matches approved details. These records should reference the specific locations inspected.
Evidence BSR Often Questions or Rejects
Some types of evidence are commonly challenged because they lack clarity or traceability.
These include:
Evidence that cannot be linked clearly to the installed work is treated as weak or unreliable.
The Role of Subcontractors
Fire stopping subcontractors play a major role in evidence generation, but responsibility does not stop with them.
Site teams must ensure that:
Relying on subcontractors to supply evidence at the end of the project is a common and risky approach.
Common Site Mistakes With Fire Stopping Evidence
The most frequent issues seen on site include:
These problems are usually caused by programme pressure rather than poor intent.
How to Manage Fire Stopping Evidence Effectively
The simplest way to manage fire stopping evidence is to treat it as part of the installation task.
Before moving on:
When this is done consistently, fire stopping becomes one of the easiest elements to prove later.
The Key Principle
Fire stopping that cannot be evidenced is treated as fire stopping that does not exist. If site teams assume that every fire stopping detail may need to be proven at Gateway 3, evidence naturally improves and regulatory risk reduces significantly.
Fire stopping is one of the most closely scrutinised elements under the Building Safety Act. It is not enough for fire stopping to be installed correctly. It must also be evidenced clearly, consistently and at the right time.
At Gateway 3, BSR does not assess fire stopping based on assurances. It assesses it based on evidence.
Why Fire Stopping Evidence Matters
Fire stopping is critical to compartmentation, smoke control and escape strategy. Once it is covered up, it becomes difficult or impossible to verify without opening up the work.
For this reason, BSR expects fire stopping to be treated as a safety-critical activity that is proven as it is installed, not reconstructed later.
Poor or missing fire stopping evidence is one of the most common causes of delay and challenge at final approval.
What BSR Is Looking For
BSR is not looking for excessive paperwork. It is looking for clear proof that fire stopping has been installed in line with approved details and tested systems.
In simple terms, BSR wants to see:
- What was approved
- What was installed
- Evidence showing they match
If any one of these is missing, the fire stopping is treated as unproven.
Types of Fire Stopping Evidence BSR Accepts
The most commonly accepted forms of evidence include:
Site photographs
Photos taken before fire stopping is concealed are essential. These should clearly show:
- The penetration or joint
- The fire stopping material used
- The surrounding construction
- The completed installation
Photos should be dated, traceable and linked to a location or drawing reference.
Installation records
Records showing when fire stopping was installed, by whom, and to which detail. These do not need to be complex, but they must be clear and consistent.
Product information and certification
Evidence that the products used match the approved system, including:
- Product names
- Fire ratings
- System references
- Manufacturer certification
Generic product data without system relevance is often challenged.
Inspection and sign-off records
Checks carried out by competent persons confirming that the fire stopping matches approved details. These records should reference the specific locations inspected.
Evidence BSR Often Questions or Rejects
Some types of evidence are commonly challenged because they lack clarity or traceability.
These include:
- Photos taken after work is covered
- Unlabelled or undated images
- Generic method statements
- Retrospective records created weeks later
- As built statements without supporting evidence
Evidence that cannot be linked clearly to the installed work is treated as weak or unreliable.
The Role of Subcontractors
Fire stopping subcontractors play a major role in evidence generation, but responsibility does not stop with them.
Site teams must ensure that:
- Evidence is captured as work progresses
- Records are reviewed, not just collected
- Information is stored in an organised and accessible way
Relying on subcontractors to supply evidence at the end of the project is a common and risky approach.
Common Site Mistakes With Fire Stopping Evidence
The most frequent issues seen on site include:
- Fire stopping installed before photos are taken
- Multiple penetrations recorded as one
- Product substitutions without updated evidence
- Evidence stored across emails, phones and messaging apps
These problems are usually caused by programme pressure rather than poor intent.
How to Manage Fire Stopping Evidence Effectively
The simplest way to manage fire stopping evidence is to treat it as part of the installation task.
Before moving on:
- Confirm the correct detail
- Install the fire stopping
- Capture evidence
- Check and store the record
When this is done consistently, fire stopping becomes one of the easiest elements to prove later.
The Key Principle
Fire stopping that cannot be evidenced is treated as fire stopping that does not exist. If site teams assume that every fire stopping detail may need to be proven at Gateway 3, evidence naturally improves and regulatory risk reduces significantly.
Image © London Construction Magazine Limited
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
