CFP Carpentry and Fire Prevention were instructed by Global | Group to carry out fire stopping surveys across three residential properties in Dorset.
The surveys were completed to assess the condition of fire stopping and compartmentation in key areas of each building, including communal spaces, service cupboards, electrical intake areas, loft spaces, risers and service penetrations.
Following the inspections, a detailed report was produced outlining the findings, photographic evidence and outstanding actions required to help bring the buildings in line with fire safety expectations.
Fire stopping is an essential part of passive fire protection. Where cables, pipes, trunking or other building services pass through walls, floors, ceilings or compartment lines, any gaps or unsealed openings can compromise the fire-resisting performance of the building.
What Work Was Carried Out
The scope of works included fire stopping surveys across three residential properties in Dorset.
Each property was inspected to identify areas where fire stopping may be missing, damaged, incomplete or requiring further remedial attention.
The survey included checks to:
- Service cupboards
- Electrical intake areas
- Cable penetrations
- Pipe penetrations
- Riser voids
- Loft and roof void areas
- Communal corridors
- Fire exit routes
- Meter cupboard areas
- Access hatches and panels
- Compartment walls and ceilings
- Areas around communal fire doors
All findings were documented with supporting photographs, giving Global | Group a clear record of the current condition of each property.
What Was Identified During The Surveys
During the surveys, multiple areas were inspected where services passed through walls, floors and ceiling voids.
Typical issues reviewed during the inspection included:
- Open gaps around service penetrations
- Unsealed cable routes
- Unsealed pipe routes
- Service openings within riser cupboards
- Voids around electrical intake areas
- Areas where previous works may have affected compartmentation
- Loft and roof void areas requiring closer fire stopping review
- Access areas requiring remedial fire protection works
- Openings around communal service routes
These findings were recorded and added to the final report, with recommended outstanding actions provided for each property.
Why Fire Stopping Surveys Are Important
Fire stopping surveys are important because they help identify weaknesses in a building’s passive fire protection.
In residential properties, compartmentation is designed to help slow the spread of fire and smoke between different parts of the building. This is especially important in blocks of flats and shared residential buildings where communal corridors, stairwells and escape routes need to remain protected.
Over time, buildings often have new services installed, including electrical cables, pipework, data cables, heating systems and maintenance upgrades. If the openings created for these services are not sealed correctly afterwards, they can create hidden routes for smoke and fire to travel through the building.
A fire stopping survey helps building owners, managing agents and property managers understand:
- Where compartmentation may have been breached
- Which service penetrations require remedial works
- Whether existing fire stopping is suitable
- Which areas need urgent attention
- What works are required to improve compliance
- How to prioritise future remedial works
What Was Included In The Report
Following completion of the surveys, CFP Carpentry and Fire Prevention prepared a clear report for Global | Group.
The report included:
- A breakdown of inspected areas
- Photographic evidence from each property
- Notes on visible fire stopping concerns
- Locations of identified issues
- Outstanding remedial actions
- Recommended next steps
- Priority areas for attention
- A clear record for future compliance works
This provides the client with a practical action plan rather than just a basic inspection summary.
Why Compartmentation Matters In Residential Buildings
Compartmentation is a key part of fire safety in residential properties.
The aim is to divide the building into fire-resisting sections, helping to slow down the spread of fire and smoke. This gives residents more time to evacuate where required and helps protect communal escape routes.
Where compartmentation is damaged, incomplete or breached by service penetrations, the building may not perform as intended in a fire.
Correct fire stopping helps to:
- Maintain fire-resisting walls, floors and ceilings
- Protect communal corridors and stairwells
- Reduce the spread of smoke through hidden voids
- Support fire risk assessment recommendations
- Provide a safer environment for residents
- Create a clear record of completed and outstanding works
Outstanding Actions
After the surveys were completed, the findings were compiled into a report with clear outstanding actions.
The next stage will be to address the required fire-stopping remedial works, which may include sealing cable penetrations, fire stopping pipe routes, improving compartmentation around service cupboards, and reinstating fire protection where openings have been left exposed.
These works will help improve the passive fire protection across the three residential properties and provide Global | Group with a clearer route towards ongoing compliance.
