Fire-stopping defects can occur at interfaces involving:
Common defects can include missing or incomplete fire stopping, gaps, damaged materials, incorrect installation, defective perimeter arrangements and fire stopping disturbed during subsequent works.
Investigation and opening-up – Undertaking targeted intrusive investigation where fire-stopping arrangements are concealed or the existing construction cannot be established from available information.
Defect assessment – Identifying missing, damaged, incomplete or incorrectly installed fire-stopping arrangements and establishing the affected areas.
Removal of defective materials – Carefully removing defective or unsuitable fire-stopping components where required to prepare the interface for remediation.
Replacement fire stopping – Installing appropriate fire-stopping systems to the required interfaces in accordance with the approved design and system requirements.
Perimeter fire stopping – Addressing fire-stopping interfaces around external wall systems, openings, floor slabs and other relevant junctions.
Interface remediation – Addressing gaps and defects around windows, curtain walling, cladding, structural elements and other façade interfaces.
Cavity barrier coordination – Coordinating fire-stopping works with cavity barriers where both systems are affected.
Cladding and insulation coordination – Integrating fire-stopping remediation with associated cladding, insulation and external wall works.
Completion and documentation – Completing remedial works and providing relevant project documentation for the completed installation.
Fire stopping is often concealed within the external wall and its condition cannot always be established through visual inspection.
Where required, our dedicated survey team, Trident Facades Surveys, can undertake targeted opening-up to establish:
Fire-stopping remediation often needs to be coordinated with other external wall works. For example, cladding removal may expose existing fire-stopping, while insulation replacement can affect surrounding interfaces.
Where required, the works can form part of a wider remediation programme:
Investigation → Assessment → Design → Fire-Stopping Remediation → External Wall Remediation
Associated works can include:
Curtain walling presents specific fire-stopping considerations at floor slabs, compartment boundaries and interfaces with surrounding façade systems.
For projects involving curtain walling, see our Curtain Wall Fire Stopping service.
Experienced in fire-stopping remediation on occupied multi-storey residential buildings where defects or missing fire-stopping have been identified. We plan works around resident safety, access, temporary protection and site conditions, with phased programmes used where appropriate to minimise disruption. We provide the technical scopes and cost information required by block managers, managing agents and surveyors, including for Section 20 consultations.
Supporting landlords, managing agents and facilities teams with façade fire-stopping remediation across commercial and mixed-use buildings. Works are planned around active tenants, public access and business continuity, with careful attention to compartment lines, cavity barriers and interfaces between the façade and wider building construction.
Façade fire-stopping remediation requires careful consideration of compartmentation, fire performance, cavity barriers and interfaces within the external wall system. Defective or missing fire-stopping is repaired or replaced in accordance with the approved design and specified systems, with appropriate installation checks and photographic records. Completion documentation can include product information, fire-stopping records, warranties and O&M documentation.