FIRE DAMPERS TESTING
AND CLEANING

When functioning as they should, fire damper installations should effectively prevent the spread of fire and smoke throughout a building by closing when heat is detected.

Designed to prevent the

spread of fire

Fire dampers are located within ventilation systems and they are designed to prevent the spread of fire

inside the systems. As such, it’s important to make fire damper testing part of a building’s overall fire prevention strategy and factor it into your maintenance regime.

When functioning as they should, these fire damper installations should effectively prevent the spread of fire

and smoke throughout a building by closing when heat is detected. Therefore, it is crucial to check that the

actual detection system and mechanism in place are working, so that they are ready to activate should a fire break out.

Fire damper testing

requirements

In accordance with British Standards 9999:2017 Annex W.1, all fire dampers should be tested, cleaned and maintained at regular intervals, not exceeding 2 years, whilst spring operated fire dampers should be tested at least once a year.

This is because general usage of a ventilation system can create gradual contamination of the fire damper mechanism,

which must be removed using the correct fire damper testing tools and procedures.

You may also want to increase your fire damper testing frequency to keep them in good working order

all year round and in line with the current legal requirements. You can do this by scheduling regular maintenance checks

and performing our industry-standard fire damper testing.

The risk and consequences of not following
fire damper testing requirements

If a building is your responsibility, remember that the consequences of faulty fire dampers could be serious. In the event that there is a fire, these devices can save lives by preventing the unnecessary spread of smoke and fire to other parts of the building, giving people enough time to evacuate and the fire department a better chance of containing the blaze.
Ultimately, testing fire dampers using the correct methods, and by working with a company such as Airduct Compliance that has the appropriate fire damper testing certification and expertise, is an important preventive measure for any building that values the health and safety of its employees, tenants and visitors.

Risks for not testing Fire Dampers.

A potentially unsafe building

Risk of a fine

Difficulty making insurance claims for fire damage

Possible corporate manslaughter liability

Loss of reputation and business

FIRE DAMPERS TESTING AND CLEANING

Designed to prevent the

spread of fire

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Risks for not testing Fire Dampers.

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A potentially unsafe building

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FIRE DAMPERS TESTING
AND CLEANING