Fire and smoke control damper testing

What Is a Fire Damper?

A fire damper is a passive fire protection product, comprising a set of steel louvres which can be opened and closed as required. Fire dampers are integrated into the ductwork of heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems to help delay the spread of smoke and fire in the event of a building fire. For most of the time, the louvre blades are held in the open position, allowing air to flow freely through them to facilitate good ventilation, but, in the event of fire, they are designed to close to form a barrier. This delays the spread of fire, securing valuable added time for people to be evacuated to safety.

Most commercial and public premises are protected by fire-resistant doors and walls. However, where ductwork passes through a fire-resistant wall, it creates an opening through which a fire could spread. Without a fully functioning fire damper, fire can pass quickly through the ductwork and reach other parts of the premises, including vital escape routes. Fire dampers are installed at the point at which the ductwork passes through the fire-resistant wall. Once closed, it effectively reseals the compartment or barrier provided by the fire-resistant wall.

Fire dampers can be linked to the building control system so that they close automatically in the event of fire. It is crucial, therefore, to test them regularly to ensure that they will perform as designed to provide this vital fire safety function.

Why Do I Need Fire Damper Testing?

If a fire damper becomes dirty, greasy or damaged in any way, it may not close when it is required to. Fire dampers must be properly maintained to ensure that they are working properly at all times. The failure of a fire damper to close can make the difference between the life and death of a building’s occupants.

Tragically, we have seen the result of fires spreading unchecked, in several high-profile buildings; the subsequent Hackitt Report did much to highlight the importance of planned preventative maintenance in helping to prevent a fire from spreading. Regularly testing of fire dampers is an important aspect of this work.

How Often Should Fire Dampers Be Checked?

Regardless of their type or construction, it is a legal requirement to test every fire damper. The British Standard, BS:9999:2017, requires testing every twelve months. This annual testing should not be overlooked or compromised and is just as important as the regular testing of fire alarms and inspection of fire extinguishers. It is not acceptable to test a sample of them, or to test every couple of years; every individual fire damper must be tested annually.

What Does Fire Damper Testing Entail?

When carrying out fire damper maintenance and testing appointments, you should expect the following protocols to be carried out:

• Your Responsible Person should have a full inventory of all fire dampers within the building, showing where they are located. If this does not already exist, Swiftclean will create this for you. It should be kept for future reference as part of your fire safety documentation.
• Each individual fire damper will be inspected for signs of corrosion, cleanliness, damage and obstructions.
• Each fire damper will be function tested. This checks that the louvre blades will drop into place to create an effective seal.
• All the channels and runners of the fire dampers will be cleaned.
• Any damaged dampers which need to be repaired or replaced will be identified.
• Each fire damper will be reset ready for service in a fire emergency situation.
• If the fire damper is found to be inaccessible for testing then this will be reported as a failed test until such point the damper is made to be accessible for successful testing
• A comprehensive post-test report will be provided for you. This will identify each individual asset, its location, the maintenance carried out and any required repairs and replacements. It will provide detailed exception reports on any failures and outline any recommendations.
• A follow up service should be available to implement the service recommendations

What Can Cause Fire Dampers to Fail?

There are several reasons why a fire damper might fail the testing process. The most common causes which prevent a tight seal are obstructions or blockages, corrosion, broken springs and dirt and debris. It may also fail because it has been poorly or incorrectly installed, including being installed in the wrong location. If this is the case, we can reinstall it correctly and retest it.

Just one damper failure can allow fire to spread throughout a property, so it is essential that testing is comprehensive and detailed. The damage done by fire and smoke to a property can be disastrous, often causing business failure, as well as posing a huge threat to life.

Fire Damper Services

These crucial safety devices must be checked, tested, and maintained regularly and thoroughly in order to help ensure the safety of both people and properties.

It is not unusual for building managers to be unsure or unaware that their properties have fire dampers. They may have no idea when they were last tested. In the past, fire damper testing was often overlooked, so records are often incomplete. With current legislation however, this is not acceptable.

Swiftclean will be able to locate your fire dampers, create a complete record of every asset, and help you to put a regular testing programme in place, so that you comply with your legal duties. We will help you ensure that all your fire dampers are in top working order, and provide the robust evidence that will provide peace of mind, as well as safeguarding your building and its occupants.

We are happy to give advice and guidance about this important fire safety measure. To find out more about our fire damper services, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

To get in touch with Swiftclean, please call 0800 243 471, email axa@swiftclean.co.uk or visit www.swiftclean.co.uk .