Openings for pipes, ducts, conduits or cables which pass through any part of an element of structure (except for a part which does not serve as a fire resisting barrier) or cavity barrier, shall be:

a. kept as few in number as possible;

b. kept as small as practicable; and

c. all gaps shall be filled with fire-stopping materials.

Fire-stopping shall be of material having the necessary fire resistance when tested to BS 476: Part 20 or other acceptable standards.

Suitable fire-stopping materials include:

a. Proprietary fire-stopping and sealing systems (including those designed for service penetrations) which have been shown under test conditions to maintain the fire resistance of the wall or other element, shall be in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings, except where herein modified in this Code.

b. Other fire-stopping materials include:

(1) cement mortar;

(2) gypsum based plaster;

(3) cement or gypsum based vermiculite/ perlite mixes;

(4) glass fibre, crushed rock, blast furnace slag or ceramic based products (with or without resin binders); and

(5) intumescent mastics.

The method of fire-stopping and choice of materials shall be appropriate to the situation and its application.