Fire Stopping for Openings & Voids
Unsealed Gaps That Undermine Your Fire Strategy
When walls are built, trades work through a building, or renovations are completed, openings get left behind. For building owners across Auckland, fire stopping for openings is a compliance issue that's easy to overlook, but carries serious risk.
Any of these gaps, regardless of size, can allow fire and smoke to bypass fire-rated compartments entirely.
At Halt Fire, we identify and seal these voids using tested passive fire systems that reinstate the full fire resistance rating of the affected barrier. Whether it's an unusual gap, a redundant penetration, or a builder's opening left unsealed after construction, we deliver a compliant, durable solution, documented and ready for sign-off.
Fire Stopping for Openings in Auckland
We supply and install approved fire-stopping systems to close off openings and voids in:
- Fire-rated plasterboard or concrete walls
- Floor slabs and ceiling spaces
- Wall-to-wall and floor-to-wall junctions
- Soffits, riser shafts, and wall cavities
- Redundant pipe or cable openings
- Oversized builder's openings left unsealed after construction
We assess each void individually, confirming the fire resistance rating required, the substrate type, and the geometry, then select the right system: plasterboard infill, rockwool board and mastic, fire-rated mortar, or a combination solution. Every installation is documented through our QA system and ready for council or BWOF sign-off.
Our Process
We follow a clear, documented process on every job:
- Site Assessment: We inspect the void, confirm the fire resistance rating required, and identify the correct solution.
- System Selection: We specify the appropriate tested product or combination system based on substrate type and gap geometry.
- Installation: Our qualified technicians install the fire-stopping system to manufacturer specifications and NZ Building Code requirements.
- Documentation: We provide before/after photos, product data sheets, and compliance records, suitable for BWOF files, council inspections, and project handover.
Perfect For
This service is ideal for:
- Building owners managing BWOF compliance
- Facility managers in commercial or multi-tenancy buildings
- Contractors and site managers on new builds or fit-outs
- Architects and designers specifying passive fire remediation
- Body corporates in apartment buildings
- Anyone told they have a failed opening or void at inspection
Why It Matters
Unsealed voids allow fire and smoke to travel freely through fire-rated compartments, often undetected until an inspection or emergency.
Professionally sealing these openings:
- Restores the fire resistance rating of the barrier
- Maintains compliance with NZ Building Code Clause C3
- Prevents delays to occupancy or building certification
- Reduces liability for building owners and contractors
- Satisfies BWOF inspections and council sign-off requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an opening or void in passive fire terms?
Any gap, hole, or space in a fire-rated wall, floor, or ceiling that isn't sealed to the same fire resistance rating as the barrier. This includes redundant penetrations, oversized openings, and gaps at junctions or slab edges.
How small does a gap have to be before it needs sealing?
Any gap in a fire-rated barrier needs to be assessed. NZBC compliance requires sealing gaps as small as 0.5mm where hot smoke can pass through. We assess every void individually.
How do you select the right product?
We select from tested, BRANZ-appraised systems based on substrate type, the fire resistance rating required, and the geometry of the void. All products are NZBC compliant and installed to manufacturer specifications.
Do you provide documentation?
Yes. Every job includes before/after photos, product data sheets, and a written record of work completed, suitable for BWOF files, council inspections, and handover packages.
Related Services
If you have openings and voids, there are likely other passive fire issues to address:
- Service Penetrations: sealing around pipes, cables, and conduits through fire-rated barriers
- Gap Seals: linear seals for expansion gaps and construction joints
- Cavity Barrier: protecting cavities in facade and internal wall systems
Let’s Secure Your Site
We’re ready to help ensure the fire integrity of your building. Reach out today for expert advice or a quote on sealing fire-rated openings and voids.