What Should You Ask Before Hiring Fire Stopping Contractors?
Fire stopping is an integral component of passive fire protection. Fills gaps and openings that fire and smoke might otherwise flow through to help maintain the fire resistance of walls, floors and other compartment boundaries.
Regardless of whether you are responsible for a commercial building, residential development, office, healthcare facility or refurbishment project, it is important to make the right choice when it comes to selecting fire stopping contractors. Fire stopping that is not installed properly can affect the compartmentation and diminish the effectiveness of other fire protection systems.
It's good practice to ask the proper questions before hiring a contractor. If you have a clear conversation with a contractor in the beginning you will be able to understand what is proposed, the competence of the contractor and how the completed installation will be inspected and documented.
What Experience Do You Have With Similar Projects?
Ask the contractor about the number of projects they've worked on before. The extent to which a fire stopping requirement may be necessary varies greatly among building types, construction approaches, fire-resisting services going through walls and floors.
A contractor that has worked on similar projects is better placed to grasp the nuts and bolts of the job. Discuss past experience with similar construction, service penetrations and fire stopping systems.
It is also helpful to ask for examples of projects that are completed or references where applicable. Don't base your experience on the length of time a company has been in operation. It's also important to have the relevant project experience and technical knowledge.
Are Your Installers Competent and Properly Trained?
Fire stopping is specialist work and to understand who will do it.
Inquire about training, qualifications and experience of the staff who will be working on your site. They should be aware of the products being used and the manufacturer's installation needs as well as the principles of fire compartmentation.
A responsible contractor should also have appropriate site procedures to ensure the quality of the installation and supervision of the work.
Which Fire Stopping Systems Will You Use?
There are numerous types of fire stopping products and systems on the market. They can be sealants, collars, wraps, mortar, boards, pillows and other specialist solutions which resist fire.
Inquire from the contractor what products he/she proposes and why they are appropriate for the specific application.
The product should not only be convenient and cheap to buy, but it should be the right one. It must be suitable for the substrate, penetration of the service and the fire rating.
For instance, the solution for a plastic pipe in a compartment wall could be different from the solution for electrical cables or ventilation systems.
Is the Proposed System Tested or Assessed for the Application?
This is one of the most vital inquiries to ask.
Fire stopping systems should have evidence to support their use, or an assessment of their appropriate use. Evidence should be relevant to the application and not to the general product.
Request the contractor to provide information that supports the installation proposed. This can be used to determine the appropriateness of the system for the class of construction, penetration and fire resistance requirements that are involved.
It may be advisable to seek more technical information from a contractor if the contractor is not sure about why a proposed system would work.
How Will You Deal With Existing Fire Stopping?
It is likely that existing fire stopping may become damaged, be incomplete or hard to locate during refurbishment or maintenance works.
Inquire about how the contractor will inspect any existing installations before any remedial work is done. Layering new material on top of a defect may not be a solution to the defect.
A proper assessment can detect missing seals, excessive holes, improper materials, and damaged systems and areas where services have not been installed with appropriate fire stopping.
If remediation is needed, the contractor should describe the work to be removed, repaired or replaced and why the work is needed.
How Will You Inspect the Completed Work?
Quality control is to be taken as a primary issue, not when the work is completed.
Inquire what will be done to ensure fire stopping is completed. This can include visual inspections, photographs, measurement and quality assurance as required for each project.
The contractor will need to have a clear procedure for the detection of any defective products and their rectification.
When undertaking larger projects, it is also important to be aware of how each particular fire stopping installation will be recorded and monitored.
Will You Provide Detailed Documentation?
Documentation is an important part of any fire stopping project.
Ask what records will be provided when the work is completed. Depending on the project, these may include photographs, product information, installation records, location references, inspection reports and other relevant documentation.
Good records make it easier for building owners and facilities teams to understand where fire stopping has been installed. They can also support future maintenance, refurbishment and fire safety inspections.
A contractor that takes documentation seriously is more likely to have a structured approach to quality control.
How Will You Handle Service Penetrations?
The solution must be capable of incorporating the type and scale of the service, the construction it passes through and the necessary fire performance. Communication between the fire stopping contractor and other trades is needed as services may change during construction, creating new openings that require fire stopping.
Ask how the contractor will assess and seal these penetrations.
Fire stopping does not need to be left unaltered following installation. Existing systems can be disturbed by building changes, maintenance and new service installations.
Do You Offer Inspection and Remedial Services?
In the event that a building has many defects or incomplete fire stopping then working with experienced fire remediation contractors can be beneficial. A remediation project may need to involve a systematic survey, prioritisation of the defects and a planned programme of corrective work.
How Do You Manage Site Safety and Quality?
Fire stopping work often takes place alongside other construction or maintenance activities. Ask how the contractor manages its work around other trades and how quality is maintained in busy site conditions.
You should also understand who is responsible for supervision, inspection and resolving installation issues.
Clear communication can prevent situations where completed fire stopping is accidentally damaged by another contractor working nearby.
Can You Explain the Scope of Work Clearly?
Before signing a contract, make sure the proposed scope is clear.
The quotation should explain what areas will be inspected or treated, what products are expected to be used and what documentation will be provided. If the project involves remediation, it should also be clear how defects will be identified and categorised.
Be cautious about quotations that are extremely vague. A low initial price may not provide an accurate picture of the work required if important areas have not been properly assessed.
Look Beyond Price
Cost is naturally an important consideration, but it should not be the only factor when selecting fire stopping contractors.
The cheapest quotation may not offer the same level of technical expertise, documentation or quality control as a more comprehensive service. Fire stopping is ultimately about maintaining the integrity of a building's fire compartments, so workmanship and competence matter considerably.
Compare contractors based on experience, technical knowledge, product selection, installation methods, inspection procedures, documentation and aftercare, as well as price.
Make an Informed Decision
Choosing a fire stopping contractor requires more than checking availability and comparing quotations. The right questions can help you establish whether a contractor understands the technical requirements of the work and has the systems needed to deliver it properly.
Before making a decision, ask about relevant experience, installer competence, product selection, test evidence, inspection procedures, documentation and remedial capabilities.
A professional contractor should be willing to explain its approach clearly and provide evidence to support its proposed solutions.
Whether you are installing new fire stopping or addressing defects in an existing building, careful contractor selection can make a significant difference. Properly specified, installed and maintained fire stopping helps support effective compartmentation and forms an important part of a building's wider passive fire protection strategy.