HOW TO FIND A COMPETENT FIRE STOPPING CONTRACTOR
Tom Laws
In construction and building maintenance, ensuring fire safety is paramount. Fire stopping, the practice of sealing openings and joints in fire-resistance-rated walls or floors to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, plays a crucial role in safeguarding lives and property. However, achieving effective fire-stopping requires the expertise of competent contractors. So, how do you find the right fire-stopping contractor? Let’s delve into the ‘who’ and the ‘what’ of this critical search.
Who: Identifying Qualified Fire-Stopping Contractors
The first step in finding a competent fire-stopping contractor is identifying those with the necessary qualifications and certifications. Look for contractors who:
Have the proper fire safety accreditations & certifications such as –
- LPCB
- FIRAS
- BM Trada
- FDIS
IFE qualifications
Have the proper Safety, Environmental, & Business Management Accreditations such as –
- Acclaim
- BSI
- CHAS
- SafeContractor
Constructionline
Have the appropriate levels of insurance: Verify that the contractor holds the required licenses and insurance policies, ensuring they operate legally and have coverage for any potential liabilities. In the fire safety world, it’s crucial to look for exclusions within the policy and review the Professional Indemnity levels in detail. Note the appropriate levels of insurance are not cheap!
Possess relevant experience: Prioritise contractors with a proven fire-stopping track record. Experience equips contractors with the knowledge and skills to tackle various challenges effectively.
Stay updated on regulations: Fire safety regulations evolve, and a reputable contractor stays abreast of these changes, ensuring compliance with the latest codes and standards. Ask the contractor what their ongoing training programme is and how much they invest in upskilling their workforce.
What: Services Offered by Competent Fire Stopping Contractors
Understanding fire-stopping contractors’ services is crucial for selecting the right one for your project. Competent contractors typically provide:
· Comprehensive fire-stopping solutions: A reliable contractor offers end-to-end solutions tailored to your needs, from assessing fire risks to designing and implementing fire-stopping systems.
· Site surveys and evaluations: A competent contractor conducts
thorough site surveys to identify potential fire hazards and assess existing
fire-stopping measures before initiating any work.
· Quality materials and installations: Approved
fire-stopping products and meticulous installation procedures are
non-negotiable for adequate fire protection. Look for contractors who prioritise quality in both materials and workmanship. This can be done by interviewing the contractor or asking for relevant case studies.
· Field-based management teams: we all know there is a skills shortage in the construction sector. Due to the heightened spotlight on fire safety, many operatives are trying their hand at fire-stopping without experience. A competent fire-stopping contractor will always ensure they have site management in the field to manage & organise site operatives. We are only as good as our weakest operative, after all!
· Maintenance and inspection services: Fire-stopping systems require regular maintenance and inspection to ensure effectiveness. A
reputable contractor offers ongoing maintenance programs and periodic
inspections to keep your building safe and compliant.
· Quality & Assurance Teams: During the construction phase, the
best fire safety contractors will have Quality & Assurance teams who visit
the site while installing fire-stopping systems to ensure installations are fit
for purpose & provide you with Quality, Assurance and Compliance Site Visit reports showing you complete transparency.
· Records, Records, Records & Regulation 38 – A stopping contractor will invest in Software, such as Bolster Systems or PlanRadar that ensures all fire-stopping records are fully detailed, including before & after photos, unique identification of all fire-stopping locations, the time and date of installation, the installing operative, the substrate, the service penetration & the materials used to complete the installation. All these should be handed over within weeks of completing your project.
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Don’t just look through websites; it’s relatively cheap to build a nice-looking website these days! The accreditation bodies have lists of those companies with the correct qualifications, research them, interview the companies, get evidence from them of experience, and get references. It’s always a good measure of a competent contractor to guide you through the quotation phase, ask the right questions, and visit the project to ensure they understand your requirements.
In conclusion, finding a competent fire-stopping contractor involves identifying qualified professionals, understanding the range of services they offer, and recognising the importance of their role in ensuring fire safety.
By identifying & prioritising experience, qualifications, and a commitment to quality, you can select a contractor who will effectively safeguard your building against the devastating effects of fire.
Remember, when it comes to fire safety, there’s no room for compromise, and unfortunately, a competent fire-stopping contractor probably won’t come cheap, but they will do the job “right first time” and save you lots of money in the long run.
