Fire stopping seals gaps around pipes, ducts, and cables that pass through walls, floors, and ceilings. By using fire-resistant sealants, collars, wraps, or mortars, it prevents flames and smoke from travelling between compartments.

Compartmentation divides a building into fire-resistant sections using walls, floors, and ceilings. These compartments are designed to contain fire in one area for a specific period — typically 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes — which slows fire spread and keeps escape routes usable.

Fire doors are specially designed and tested to resist fire and smoke for a set duration, commonly 30 or 60 minutes. They must be fitted with intumescent strips, smoke seals, and self-closing devices to work effectively. Crucially, they should never be wedged open, as they can only perform their role when properly closed and maintained.

Fire-resistant walls, floors, and ceilings use fire-rated materials to provide integrity and insulation. These structural elements help protect escape routes and prevent fire from spreading vertically or horizontally through a building.

Cladding and external facades are another important consideration. Materials must meet strict fire safety standards, as highlighted by the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which demonstrated the devastating consequences of unsafe cladding. Current regulations now require external wall systems to limit fire spread and safeguard residents.