Fire stopping aims to inhibit rapid fire spread within the building by reducing the fuel available in the initial stages of a fire. The intention is to limit the severity of the fire, which in turn serves several purposes:

It allows occupants time to safely exit a building if a fire breaks out, thereby saving lives.

It allows the emergency services time and a better opportunity to fight the fire, with it being confined to a relatively small area, thereby saving property.

It limits the overall damage caused by fire by obstructing its path, thereby limiting the financial costs of repair.

This is achieved by dividing the building into a series of fire-tight boxes, termed ‘compartments’, which will form a barrier to the products of combustion: smoke, heat, and toxic gases.

Simply put, joints within buildings between fire separating elements such as compartment walls, floors, and doors should be fire-stopped to maintain the required fire resistance of said compartment. Any openings which may be necessary to allow the passing of services such as cables, pipes, conduit, or ducts should be kept as small as practicable, as few in number as possible, and fire-stopped.

If you’re interested in our fire-stopping services or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

Spotting breaches of integrity in compartment walls early can help save lives. Without the correct fire stopping in place, a fire can spread freely from one compartment to another, regardless of structural materials or fire doors. These breaches can occur during construction or through later additions of services that create openings in fire-resisting walls.

Conducting a fire door survey, or having a fire door inspection, helps to identify these breaches early and ensures that fire protective services are in place to block fire spread. Whether it’s a commercial, office, or residential building, the objective is to prevent the spread of fire and keep occupants safe. A fire door inspection can pinpoint areas that need attention, including areas where fire and smoke seals for doors might need replacing or additional protection, such as rockwool mineral wool insulation, to ensure optimal fire resistance.

Our team at Verus Group offers comprehensive fire-stopping surveys, allowing us to determine whether a property needs improved fire-stopping measures. Contact us today to find out more about our services at Verus Group.

Upon completion of a fire-stopping survey from Verus Group, clients should expect to receive a comprehensive report including:

• Details of any penetrations or other breaches of compartment lines.
• Details of any attempt at passive fire protection works, such as fire and smoke seals for doors, which are believed to have been carried out incorrectly or are unsuitable.
• Photographic evidence and locations of findings, so that the client can identify them easily.
• Suggestions for remedial works required, although further investigation (e.g., into the surrounding substrate) may be required to provide specific solutions. 

A fire door is an engineered safety device that must be maintained physically and operationally such that it will fulfil its life-safety and property protection roles in a fire by:

Restricting the initial development of a fire.

Restricting the spread of fire.

Protecting escape routes, ensuring that occupants have sufficient time to safely evacuate the building.

At Verus Group, we can offer professional fire door surveys to detect any issues with your fire door, as well as comprehensive fire door maintenance and repairs. Speak to our team to find out more today.

Despite their crucial role in fire safety, fire doors are often neglected. It is only during a fire that the consequences of poorly maintained fire doors become evident. Regular fire door maintenance is necessary to ensure the doors perform as expected in the event of a fire.

This maintenance is also a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which mandates that the responsible person must maintain fire doors and other safety measures within a building. A fire door inspection should be carried out periodically to check the integrity of fire and smoke seals for doors and to ensure that fire door maintenance has been carried out correctly.

The installation and surveying of fire stopping should only be done by personnel specifically trained in this area, ideally those operating under third-party accreditation. The correct installation of fire-stopping materials, such as rockwool mineral wool insulation and fire and smoke seals for doors, ensures that the building’s fire resistance is not compromised.

Third-party accreditations demonstrate that the operative is held to recognised standards and undergoes regular audits to ensure compliance with best practices. It is essential that those performing fire door inspections or fire door surveys have the appropriate knowledge, skills, and training to assess all fire stopping measures and provide effective solutions.

As third-party accredited professionals, you can trust us at Verus Group to provide comprehensive fire-stopping services. Contact our team today to find out more.

Verus Group is headquartered in South East England, with operations that extend nationwide across the United Kingdom and internationally on select projects.

Yes, Verus Group holds multiple third-party accreditations, including BM Trada, SMAS Worksafe, Constructionline Gold, and Safe Contractor. These certifications underline our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in fire protective services and all aspects of our operations.

To find out more about us, please explore our website or get in touch with our team directly today.

Verus Group uses a range of approved fire-stopping materials to ensure safety. Some of the common materials include fire-rated acrylics, FR Graphite/High Expansion Mastic, FR Coatings, and rockwool mineral wool insulation, all tested to meet the required safety standards. We also utilise fire and smoke seals for doors to ensure complete compartmentalisation in case of fire.

No, Verus Group does not certify work completed by others. We cannot guarantee the materials used or whether the installation meets the required specifications for fire protective services. Our commitment to safety is reflected in our thorough training processes for all operatives and installers, ensuring that our projects meet the highest standards from start to finish.

It is not recommended to mix fire-stopping manufacturers within a single system. Each manufacturer’s products, such as fire and smoke seals for doors, are specifically designed and tested to be used together as a complete system. Using products from different manufacturers may compromise the fire resistance of the system and invalidate the test data. For optimal safety, always use materials in line with the manufacturer's specifications and guidelines.