Service penetrations are one of the most common weak points in building safety compliance. Every time a pipe, duct, cable tray or conduit passes through a wall, floor or compartment line, it creates a potential risk to fire and smoke spread. Under the Building Safety Act framework, these penetrations are not just a workmanship issue, they are a recorded safety element.
For higher-risk buildings, service penetrations must be installed correctly and evidenced properly. If they are not recorded, they are treated as not proven.
Why service penetrations matter to BSR
From the Building Safety Regulator’s perspective, service penetrations directly affect:
A single unsealed or incorrectly sealed penetration can undermine an entire fire compartment. This is why BSR pays close attention to how penetrations are managed, inspected and recorded.
At Gateway 3, BSR is not asking whether penetrations should have been sealed. They are asking whether there is clear evidence that they were sealed correctly, in line with what was approved.
What counts as a service penetration
Site teams should treat the following as service penetrations that require recording:
If a service passes through a fire-rated wall, floor, shaft or compartment boundary, it must be treated as a penetration that needs both correct installation and evidence.
What site teams must record
BSR does not expect complex systems, but they do expect clarity. For each penetration, site records should show:
Photos are the most common form of evidence, but they must be taken at the right time. Once ceilings are closed or walls are finished, evidence cannot be recreated.
Timing matters more than paperwork
One of the most common failures is evidence created too late.
Photos taken days or weeks after installation, once finishes are in place, are weak. They raise questions rather than answering them. BSR expects evidence to be created when the work happens, not reconstructed later.
A simple rule applies on site: If you can no longer see the penetration, you can no longer prove it.
Coordination between trades is critical
Service penetrations often sit between trades. One trade creates the opening. Another installs the service. A third applies fire stopping. If responsibility is unclear, evidence is usually lost.
Site supervisors should make it clear who is responsible for:
Without coordination, penetrations are sealed but not evidenced and for BSR, unevidenced work is treated as missing work.
What happens if penetrations are not evidenced
Missing or unclear penetration records can lead to:
In some cases, widespread gaps in penetration evidence can raise concerns about overall site control, not just individual details.
The practical takeaway for site teams
Recording service penetrations is not about paperwork for its own sake. It is about proving that critical safety details were installed correctly.
Site teams do not need complex systems. They need:
If penetrations are recorded properly as work progresses, they rarely become a problem later. If they are ignored, they almost always resurface at the worst possible moment, close to completion.
For higher-risk buildings, service penetrations must be installed correctly and evidenced properly. If they are not recorded, they are treated as not proven.
Why service penetrations matter to BSR
From the Building Safety Regulator’s perspective, service penetrations directly affect:
- Fire compartmentation
- Smoke control
- Structural integrity (in some cases)
- The performance of approved fire strategies
A single unsealed or incorrectly sealed penetration can undermine an entire fire compartment. This is why BSR pays close attention to how penetrations are managed, inspected and recorded.
At Gateway 3, BSR is not asking whether penetrations should have been sealed. They are asking whether there is clear evidence that they were sealed correctly, in line with what was approved.
What counts as a service penetration
Site teams should treat the following as service penetrations that require recording:
- Pipes (plastic, metal, insulated or uninsulated)
- Electrical conduits and trunking
- Cable trays and bundles
- Ductwork
- Combined service openings
- Temporary penetrations that are later made permanent
If a service passes through a fire-rated wall, floor, shaft or compartment boundary, it must be treated as a penetration that needs both correct installation and evidence.
What site teams must record
BSR does not expect complex systems, but they do expect clarity. For each penetration, site records should show:
- The location of the penetration
- The element being penetrated (wall, floor, shaft, compartment line)
- The service type passing through
- The fire stopping system used
- The installation stage, before the area is closed up
Photos are the most common form of evidence, but they must be taken at the right time. Once ceilings are closed or walls are finished, evidence cannot be recreated.
Timing matters more than paperwork
One of the most common failures is evidence created too late.
Photos taken days or weeks after installation, once finishes are in place, are weak. They raise questions rather than answering them. BSR expects evidence to be created when the work happens, not reconstructed later.
A simple rule applies on site: If you can no longer see the penetration, you can no longer prove it.
Coordination between trades is critical
Service penetrations often sit between trades. One trade creates the opening. Another installs the service. A third applies fire stopping. If responsibility is unclear, evidence is usually lost.
Site supervisors should make it clear who is responsible for:
- Recording the penetration
- Recording the fire stopping
- Confirming the penetration matches approved details
Without coordination, penetrations are sealed but not evidenced and for BSR, unevidenced work is treated as missing work.
What happens if penetrations are not evidenced
Missing or unclear penetration records can lead to:
- Requests for opening up works
- Delays at Gateway 3
- Additional inspections and surveys
- Rework late in the programme
In some cases, widespread gaps in penetration evidence can raise concerns about overall site control, not just individual details.
The practical takeaway for site teams
Recording service penetrations is not about paperwork for its own sake. It is about proving that critical safety details were installed correctly.
Site teams do not need complex systems. They need:
- Clear responsibility
- Timely photos
- Basic location references
- Consistent habits
If penetrations are recorded properly as work progresses, they rarely become a problem later. If they are ignored, they almost always resurface at the worst possible moment, close to completion.
Image © London Construction Magazine Limited
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
