Common Passive Fire Defects

Passive fire systems can become damaged, altered or non-compliant over time due to construction work, poor maintenance or incorrect installations.

Many defects are hidden above ceilings, inside risers, behind walls or within service areas.

Regular inspections help identify these issues before they become significant life safety risks.

Service penetrations are one of the most common passive fire defects identified during inspections.

New cables, pipes and services are often added to buildings over time, creating unprotected openings through fire-rated walls and floors.

If these penetrations are not properly sealed using tested systems, fire and smoke can spread rapidly through the building.

Fire doors are often damaged during normal building use and are commonly found with missing smoke seals, excessive gaps or damaged hardware.

Even small defects can reduce the effectiveness of the fire door during a fire event.

Proper inspections and maintenance are essential to maintaining fire compartmentation.

Passive fire inspections help identify defects, document issues and support ongoing compliance management.

Compliance reporting can help building owners understand: what defects exist, what areas are affected, and what rectification work may be required.

This creates a clear pathway toward improving building fire safety and maintaining compliance.