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The Growing Focus on Firestopping Inspections: Why Documentation Matters More Than Ever

Firestopping has always been a critical component of fire and life safety. It plays a key role in containing the spread of fire, smoke, and heat by protecting lives, preserving property, and ensuring code compliance. But as facility standards evolve and regulatory bodies like The Joint Commission, CMS, and NFPA put greater emphasis on inspection documentation, the focus is no longer just on doing the job right—it’s on proving it.

To help contractors and facility teams address what’s at stake – occupant safety, accreditation status and liability protection – BuildingReports’ ScanSeries solution now includes firestopping inspection support in our SafetyScan application, bringing the power of digital documentation to one of the most vital and highly scrutinized areas of life safety.

Why Firestopping Matters

Firestopping refers to the sealing of openings and joints in fire-resistance-rated walls, floors, and ceilings, typically in areas where electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems pass through. When these gaps aren’t properly sealed with a tested and listed system, fire and smoke can spread unchecked between compartments, undermining even the best sprinkler or alarm system.

Today’s fire codes recognize this risk. That’s why documents like NFPA 101: Life Safety Code and the International Building Code (IBC) explicitly require the use of listed firestop systems and regular maintenance of fire-rated barriers. Healthcare facilities, in particular, are highly regulated by Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and its accreditation partners (TJC, DNV, etc.), which all require continual fire barrier management and prompt correction of any deficiencies found during regular, periodic inspections.

Even in non-healthcare facilities, AHJs and insurance providers are expecting more: mapped penetrations, time- and date-stamped inspections, and photographic evidence to verify ongoing compliance.

The Real Challenge: Proving Compliance

From our experience working closely with customers across the fire and life safety industry, one consistent challenge stands out: having the documentation to prove compliance when it matters most.

It’s one thing to install and maintain compliant firestopping. But when an auditor, inspector, or attorney asks, “Show me your firestop records,” many teams find themselves scrambling, searching for scattered paperwork, inconsistent photos, or incomplete inspection data.

This is where BuildingReports brings real value.

A Better Way to Manage Firestopping Inspections

With firestopping now supported in our SafetyScan application, BuildingReports members can manage their fire and life safety documentation in a single, centralized platform.

Here’s what that means for you:

  • Unified Compliance Reporting – Track all your inspection activity—fire alarm, extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and now firestopping—in one consistent, easy-to-navigate format.
  • Floor Plan Mapping – Visually pinpoint every inspected joint or penetration. Know exactly what was inspected, where it’s located, and what its status is.
  • Time and Date Stamps – Every scanned item is digitally time-stamped, providing traceable evidence of when the inspection occurred.
  • Photo Documentation – Attach images for every penetration or joint. Ensure clarity for audits and internal reviews.
  • Room-Level and Device-Level Detail – Review compliance room by room, device by device. No guesswork, just clarity.

      

This isn’t just about meeting code. It’s about giving contractors and facility teams the tools to operate more confidently, communicate more clearly, and document more effectively.

Built with Healthcare and High Standards in Mind

BuildingReports has deep roots in healthcare compliance. Our reporting tools are structured to support audit needs with a level of a documentation that goes beyond generic checklists.

Whether you’re preparing for an accreditation survey with TJC, DNV, or another accreditation organization, our firestopping inspection reports include all the details you need to show your work and protect your organization.

It’s the same level of rigor and clarity that thousands of facilities already trust for other life safety systems. Now, that same confidence extends to firestopping.

In the Event of a Fire, What Do You Have?

The most important question you can ask isn’t whether firestopping was performed—it’s whether you can prove it.

  • Can you show that every wall, every joint, every penetration was properly sealed?
  • Can you point to the exact time, date, and location it was inspected?
  • Can you demonstrate a consistent standard across your facility or across your customer base?

With BuildingReports, now you can.

Ready to Strengthen Your Firestopping Program?

Whether you’re a contractor helping your customers prepare for inspections, or a facility manager leading your organization’s life safety efforts, BuildingReports now gives you the power to inspect, document, and verify your firestopping with confidence.

To learn more or get started, contact the BuildingReports team today.

 

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