Guide
Fire stopping explained
Fire stopping seals the gaps and holes in fire-resisting walls and floors, such as where pipes and cables pass through. It keeps each fire compartment intact, so fire and smoke can't bypass the fire doors that protect it.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Passive fire protection in one paragraph
Buildings are divided into fire-resisting compartments by walls, floors and fire doors. This is passive fire protection: it works without being switched on. Fire stopping is the part that seals the holes made in those compartments.
Where problems hide
- Riser cupboards, often right next to fire doors
- Ceiling voids above corridors
- Around service pipes, cables and ducts
- Around door frames where the wall has been cut back
- Anywhere new services have been added since the building was finished
What good work looks like
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Survey | Finds every penetration before anything is sealed |
| Certified products | The right product for what passes through and the wall’s rating |
| Certified installers | Products only perform if installed as tested |
| Photograph | Shows the work without opening anything up later |
| Label and log | Gives you a record for the fire service or insurer |
Burnham surveys, seals, photographs and labels every penetration. Fire stopping services.