In the world of passive fire protection, terms like “fire stopping” and “fire barriers” are often used interchangeably. But they refer to distinct systems, each with a specific role in a building’s fire strategy.
Understanding the difference is essential for anyone responsible for fire safety in commercial, residential, or mixed-use buildings. If you’re a landlord, facilities manager, developer, or principal contractor, knowing how these systems work (and when they’re needed) could be the difference between a fire that’s contained and one that spreads uncontrollably.
In this post, we’ll explain what each system does, how they work together, and why both are key to achieving compliance with UK fire regulations.
What Is Compartmentation?
Before we dive into the definitions, it’s important to understand the broader concept of compartmentation.
Compartmentation involves dividing a building into smaller, fire-resistant sections, designed to:
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Contain fire and smoke to its area of origin
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Protect escape routes
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Allow occupants time to evacuate
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Reduce damage to the rest of the building
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Support firefighting operations
To be effective, each compartment must be protected by a combination of structural elements—like fire-resistant walls, floors, doors, and ceiling void protection—along with correctly installed passive fire protection systems.
What Is Fire Stopping?
Fire stopping is the method used to seal gaps, penetrations, and joints in fire-resisting elements (like walls and floors), so fire and smoke cannot travel through them.
Common fire-stopping materials include:
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Intumescent sealants
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Fire-resistant collars for pipework
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Fire sleeves and wraps
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Mortar, pillows or putty
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Fire-rated foam
These products are installed around:
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Cables and cable trays
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Pipes and ductwork
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Service risers and conduits
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Expansion joints
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Voids around structural elements
Purpose of Fire Stopping:
To preserve the integrity of a fire compartment by closing off points where services or construction details would otherwise allow fire or smoke to breach.
Example:
If a fire-resistant wall has a pipe running through it, the gap around the pipe must be sealed with an appropriate fire-stopping product that maintains the same fire resistance as the surrounding wall.
What Is a Fire Barrier?
Fire barriers are physical components (typically installed horizontally or vertically) designed to limit fire and smoke movement within concealed spaces, such as:
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Ceiling voids
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Roof spaces
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Cavity walls
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Raised floors
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Service corridors
Fire barriers are often made from flexible fire-rated fabric or mineral wool-based boards that are rated for 30, 60 or 120 minutes of fire resistance.
Purpose of Fire Barriers:
To create fire-resisting separation within hidden areas of the building that might otherwise allow fire to spread unchecked.
Example:
In a suspended ceiling, a fire barrier may be used to stop fire from travelling along the full length of the void above, preventing rapid fire development and protecting escape routes below.
How Fire Stopping and Fire Barriers Work Together
While they serve different purposes, fire stopping and fire barriers are complementary systems that together support the building’s overall fire strategy.
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Fire barriers create the main divisions or block off concealed voids.
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Fire stopping seals up the gaps, penetrations and joints in and around those barriers.
Both are required to maintain compartmentation. If either is missing, the compartment is compromised.
What Happens When These Systems Fail?
Fire investigations in the UK have repeatedly shown that missing or poorly installed fire stopping and barriers can lead to:
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Uncontrolled fire and smoke spread
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Failed evacuations due to smoke-logged routes
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Significant structural damage
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Legal action for building owners, managers and contractors
For example, a single unsealed cable tray penetration in a fire-resisting wall can allow smoke and hot gases to bypass the barrier entirely, rendering the entire compartmentation ineffective.
Who’s Responsible?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person for the premises must ensure that fire safety systems (including passive protection) are properly maintained.
On construction and refurbishment projects, the principal designer and principal contractor also carry legal duties to ensure that fire safety provisions, including fire stopping and barriers, are properly designed and installed.
In existing buildings, inspections should form part of your fire risk assessment and maintenance regime.
Final Thoughts
If you’re managing a building or involved in its construction, don’t assume fire stopping and fire barriers are interchangeable or optional. Each plays a crucial role in holding fire at bay, protecting escape routes, and giving people time to get out safely.
Make sure:
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You understand where each system should be used
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Installations are carried out by trained professionals
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All systems are inspected, maintained and documented
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Any works (like cabling, refurbishments or M&E upgrades) are checked for compromised compartmentation
Contact Martyn Young Fireproofing today for expert advice on fire protection and prevention measures on 07585 896648