What does this firestopping checklist cover?

13 items across 4 sections, covering identify the assembly, penetrations, joints and voids, documentation. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

Firestop installer; the GC and the special inspector verify against the listed systems.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

As each rated assembly is penetrated and before the ceiling closes. Re-walk after every late trade cuts a new hole.

Why does every item ask for a photo?

All 13 items call for photo evidence, 27 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a firestopping inspection?

One product used everywhere regardless of the penetrant and the assembly it passes through. Annular space larger than the listed system allows, sealed anyway. Late penetrations cut after the firestop walk and never re-inspected.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Firestopping inspection checklist

Firestopping is inspected penetration by penetration, and every one of them has to match a listed system. A photograph of the applied material next to the identifying label is what turns a wall full of red caulk into an auditable record.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Identify the assembly

Rated walls and floors identified on the drawings and in the field
Walk with the life-safety plan; know the rating before choosing a system.
Rated walls labelled above the ceiling at required intervals
Permanent, legible marking so a future trade knows what it is cutting.
Assembly built as rated before firestopping begins
Board to deck, correct layers, no unrated gaps at the top track.

Penetrations

Each penetration matched to a listed system
Penetrant type and size, assembly type and rating all match the system number cited.
Annular space within the listed range
Measure and photograph the gap before it is filled.
Correct product, depth and packing material installed
Backing material where the system requires it; depth as listed, not as convenient.
Sleeves and devices installed per the system
Collars, wraps and cast-in devices oriented and fastened as detailed.

Joints and voids

Head-of-wall joints firestopped to the listed detail
Correct movement capability; the detail differs between deflection and static joints.
Perimeter and floor edge joints sealed
Continuous at the slab edge with the specified backing.
Blank openings and abandoned penetrations closed
Anything cut and not used gets closed to the rating, not covered over.

Documentation

Identification label applied adjacent to each firestop
System number, installer, date and product legible in the photo.
Location log maintained against the plan
Each penetration traceable to a drawing location and a photo.
Re-walk after late penetrations
A second, dated pass once low-voltage and specialty trades finish.

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

One product used everywhere regardless of the penetrant and the assembly it passes through.
Annular space larger than the listed system allows, sealed anyway.
Late penetrations cut after the firestop walk and never re-inspected.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this firestopping checklist cover?: 13 items across 4 sections, covering identify the assembly, penetrations, joints and voids, documentation. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: Firestop installer; the GC and the special inspector verify against the listed systems.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: As each rated assembly is penetrated and before the ceiling closes. Re-walk after every late trade cuts a new hole.
Why does every item ask for a photo?: All 13 items call for photo evidence, 27 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a firestopping inspection?: One product used everywhere regardless of the penetrant and the assembly it passes through. Annular space larger than the listed system allows, sealed anyway. Late penetrations cut after the firestop walk and never re-inspected.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

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Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 27 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.