Firestopping of Service Penetrations

This free online CPD course from BESA Academy is presented by the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) and provides essential knowledge on the design, selection, and installation of firestopping for service penetrations. The course covers the nine golden rules for compliant firestopping, the importance of early engagement, and the key questions to ask to ensure safe and effective installations.

This course is free of charge and CIBSE accredited for CPD. Download your certificate on completion.

What You Will Learn

This 45-minute course covers:

• The design process for the selection of firestopping for service penetrations
• How to apply the nine golden rules for compliant firestopping installations
• The importance of early engagement between installers, designers, and fire safety professionals
• Key terms and definitions used in passive fire protection
• The essential questions to ask to ensure a compliant installation of firestopping

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is suitable for building services installers working with mechanical and electrical penetrations, fire safety consultants and passive fire protection specialists, building control officers and approved inspectors, main contractors and project managers responsible for fire safety compliance, and designers and specifiers involved in coordinating service penetrations in fire-rated compartments.

Why Firestopping Matters

Service penetrations through fire-rated walls and floors create potential weak points in a building's passive fire protection. Without proper firestopping, fire and smoke can spread quickly between compartments, compromising life safety and structural integrity.

Understanding how to specify, install, and inspect firestopping correctly is essential for anyone working in construction, building services, or fire safety. Poor firestopping is a common failure found during building inspections and remediation surveys.

The Benefits of This Course

Completing this course will help you:

• Understand the principles and requirements of compliant firestopping
• Apply the nine golden rules to reduce risk and improve installation quality
• Recognise the importance of early engagement in the design process
• Ask the right questions to ensure fire safety compliance on site
• Avoid common firestopping failures and inspection defects
• Earn CIBSE-accredited CPD to support your professional development

Course Format

Duration: 45 minutes
Format: 100% online, self-paced
Assessment: Knowledge check questions at the end of the course
Certification: CPD certificate available to download on completion
Accreditation: CIBSE accredited
Cost: Free of charge

Frequently Asked Questions

What is firestopping for service penetrations?
Firestopping refers to the sealing of openings created by services such as pipes, cables, ducts, and conduits where they pass through fire-rated walls or floors. Proper firestopping prevents fire and smoke from spreading between compartments within a building.

Why is firestopping important in building services installations?
Service penetrations can weaken fire-rated barriers if they are not properly sealed. Correct firestopping ensures that fire compartments maintain their intended fire resistance, helping to protect occupants and limit damage during a fire.

What are the nine golden rules of firestopping?
The nine golden rules provide practical guidance for achieving compliant firestopping installations. They emphasise correct product selection, proper installation, documentation, early coordination with design teams, and ensuring systems are tested and certified for the specific application.

Who should take this course?
This course is suitable for installers working with mechanical and electrical penetrations, contractors and project managers responsible for fire safety compliance, designers coordinating building services layouts, and fire safety or building control professionals involved in inspection and approval.

Why is early engagement important when designing firestopping solutions?
Early coordination between designers, installers, and fire safety specialists ensures that appropriate firestopping systems are specified from the start. This helps avoid costly changes during construction and ensures that installations meet regulatory requirements.

How long does the course take to complete?
The course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. It is delivered online and can be taken at your own pace, allowing learners to fit the training around their work schedule.

Is this course accredited for CPD?
Yes. The course is accredited by CIBSE for continuing professional development (CPD), helping professionals demonstrate ongoing learning in fire safety and building compliance.

Will I receive a certificate after completing the course?
Yes. After successfully completing the course and the knowledge check, you will be able to download a CPD certificate confirming your participation.