When this template fits
This RAMS is for UK contractors and fire systems teams carrying out fire stopping — typically because a principal contractor or client has asked for a risk assessment and method statement before work can start. It covers the recognised building services & m&e hazards for this task, with the controls a reviewer expects to see.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 8 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 9-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Install passive fire protection: cavity barriers, fire-stopping at service penetrations.
Sequence of works
- 1Pre-task planning: obtain and review the fire-stopping specification, product SDS sheets, and tested detail drawings. Confirm product approvals match substrate and service type. Brief operatives on COSHH assessments and site-specific RAMS.
- 2Services survey: scan all walls, floors, and ceilings to be penetrated using a CAT & Genny cable and pipe locator. Mark identified services. Isolate and lock off relevant electrical circuits via permit-to-work before drilling commences.
- 3Access setup: erect appropriate working platform (podium steps, mobile scaffold tower) for any work above floor level. Inspect and tag platform. Position and secure task lighting (minimum 200 lux) in the work zone.
- 4Penetration creation: drill or cut openings to the correct size for the specified fire-stopping system using on-tool dust extraction (H-class vacuum). Operatives to wear FFP3 RPE and safety glasses during all cutting and drilling. Clear arisings before proceeding.
- 5Aperture preparation: clean aperture edges and service surfaces of dust, oil, and loose material to manufacturer requirements. Confirm annular gap dimensions match the tested detail. Do not oversize openings.
- 6Fire-stopping installation: install the specified passive fire protection (intumescent collar, sleeve, sealant, wrap, or board system) strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's tested installation instructions. Do not mix product systems unless covered by a composite test.
- 7Inspection and sign-off: visually inspect each completed penetration against the specification drawing and manufacturer's requirements before any concealment. Check full annular fill, product type, and fixing (where required). Competent person to sign off each penetration.
- 8Photographic record: photograph each completed and signed-off penetration showing the product label, full aperture seal, and a reference marker for location. Upload to the project fire-stopping register.
- 9Housekeeping and waste disposal: remove all chemical product waste, empty cartridges, and packaging from the work area. Dispose of chemical waste in accordance with SDS guidance and site waste management plan. Reinstate any temporary barriers or hoarding.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Fall from height
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Where practicable, schedule fire-stopping installation before partitions or ceilings are closed, allowing work at or near floor level.
- › Use low-level podium steps, mobile scaffold tower, or proprietary access platform in preference to leaning ladders. Platform must have guard-rails, mid-rails, and toe-boards where fall height exceeds 2 m.
- › Ladders or stepladders permitted only for short-duration, light-work tasks where a working platform is not reasonably practicable. Ladder secured at top or footed; work facing the ladder; no overreaching.
- › Where collective protection is not feasible (e.g. work in riser shafts), operatives to wear a harness with appropriate anchor point and restraint or fall-arrest lanyard.
Inhalation of fire-stopping product fumes
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Select water-based or pre-formed intumescent products (collars, wraps, boards) with lower VOC / isocyanate content where technically equivalent performance is achieved.
- › Provide mechanical ventilation or LEV when working in enclosed voids, ceiling spaces, or plant rooms where natural ventilation is inadequate. Monitor air quality before and during work.
- › Complete a site-specific COSHH assessment for each product used. Review Safety Data Sheets; comply with WELs for any identified substance (e.g. MDI/TDI isocyanates at 0.02 mg/m³ 8-hr TWA).
- › Wear appropriate RPE: minimum FFP3 disposable for particulates; combination half-mask with A2P3 filter cartridges for organic vapours/isocyanates during application. RPE face-fit tested.
Dust inhalation from drilling and cutting
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Fit SDS/diamond drill and angle grinder with shroud and H-class vacuum dust extractor to capture dust at source. Do not dry-sweep swarf or debris.
- › Use wet-cutting methods for concrete or masonry penetrations where on-tool extraction cannot be fitted, to suppress airborne dust.
- › Wear FFP3 (or higher) RPE, face-fit tested, during all drilling and cutting activities. Remove and dispose of RPE away from the work area.
Skin and eye contact with chemical fire-stopping products
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Identify skin/eye hazard class for each product from SDS. Implement SDS-specified handling controls. Prohibit eating, drinking, or smoking in the work area.
- › Wear nitrile or neoprene gloves (EN ISO 374) and safety glasses or chemical splash goggles (EN 166) when mixing or applying chemical fire-stopping products.
- › Ensure a portable eyewash station or running water supply is located within 10 seconds' travel of the work area.
Inadequate or omitted fire-stopping — fire spread
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use only fire-stopping systems with third-party tested performance evidence (e.g. UKAS-accredited test data) appropriate to the substrate, service type, and required FRR. Do not substitute products without fire engineer approval.
- › Ensure operatives hold relevant passive fire protection competence (e.g. FIRAS or BM TRADA third-party accreditation). Completed penetrations to be inspected and signed off before concealment.
- › Photograph each completed penetration showing product, aperture fill, and location reference before concealment. Maintain an as-built register for the building's O&M/fire safety file.
Manual handling injury
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Pre-cut boards and collars to size at floor level before carrying aloft. Stage materials on the working platform using a tool bag or platform shelf rather than carrying loads up ladders.
- › Two-person lift for boards and components exceeding 20 kg or where awkward posture is required. Use material hoist or scissor-lift platform where multiple lifts are needed.
Contact with concealed services during drilling
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Use a calibrated cable and pipe detector (CAT & Genny) to scan the full drill path before starting any penetration. Mark identified services and maintain safe stand-off distances.
- › Identify and isolate circuits in the affected area via the distribution board. Attach lock-off and permit-to-work before drilling commences.
- › Use 110 V CTE or battery-powered drills as standard on construction sites. If 230 V tools are used, ensure RCD protection. Wear insulating gloves.
Slips and trips on access routes and in ceiling voids
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site
- › Clear debris, coil cables, and remove obstructions from access routes and working areas before starting. Inspect floor integrity in ceiling voids before placing weight.
- › Provide a minimum of 200 lux task lighting in ceiling voids, risers, and enclosed spaces. Use portable LED inspection lights or head torches.
- › Wear safety footwear with slip-resistant soles (EN ISO 20345 SRC rated) on all site areas.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Safety harness and lanyard where fall arrest is the selected control
- ✓ RPE per the COSHH assessment
- ✓ Chemical-resistant gloves
- ✓ RPE (FFP3 or as risk-assessed) with face-fit
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Isolation valves / pipe-freezing kit
- › Gas tightness test gauge (gas work)
- › Press tool or soldering/brazing set
- › MEWP or tower for high-level plant
- › LEV / extraction for brazing fume
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ Named competence where required (Gas Safe / F-Gas / Part P)
- ✓ Service isolation and test-before-touch (gas tightness, electrical lock-off)
- ✓ Hot-works permit and fire watch for brazing/soldering near combustibles
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a fire stopping RAMS?
Someone competent to plan the work — usually the contractor doing the job or their supervisor. A template like this gives you the recognised hazards and controls for fire stopping, but the person signing it off must review it as the competent person and confirm it matches the actual site and method.
How long is the RAMS valid for?
Until something changes — there's no fixed expiry in law. Review it if the method, site conditions, equipment or people change, after any incident or near miss, and at sensible intervals on longer jobs. Date the review and re-brief the team.
What regulations apply to fire stopping?
Work at Height Regulations 2005, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are the main ones, alongside Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 3 — risk assessment. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a method statement need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.