Fire Damper Testing

stylised images of a curtain fire damper in operation_3000x1000 - Copy.png

What is a Fire Damper?

Fire Dampers are essential safety components within HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) systems, designed to prevent the spread of fire through ductwork. Installed at every point where ducts pass through fire-rated walls, floors, or partitions, these devices close automatically when exposed to high temperatures to prevent fire spreading through the ducts. The fire damper must have a fire rating to suit the wall in which it is mounted.

How does a fire Damper work?

Fire Dampers are constructed from steel, coated with zinc to prevent corrosion by a process called galvanising (or galvanizing in the USA). Fire Dampers work with a clever mechanical system called a Fusible Link. The Fusible Link is designed to melt at 72°C, triggering the damper to close. In a rectangular duct the closing device may be a series of vanes like a venetian blind. A round duct might require butterfly style vanes.

Regular Testing and Maintenance of Fire Dampers

Since Fire Dampers form a vital part of a building’s passive fire protection strategy, they must be properly installed and regularly maintained, and tested in line with fire safety regulations. BS:9999 2017 states that Fire Dampers must be tested every 12 months. Any remedial action must be performed by a qualified professional.

The importance of regular Fire Damper Testing

Fire dampers are important because without them, fire can spread through ductwork to the rest of your building. Fire in your ductwork can travel through grills and enter rooms of your building. Effective fire dampers are a safety precaution and a legal requirement of building control.

Fire Damper Testing - how often is safe?

By law, as stated in BS:9999 2017, fire dampers must be tested every 12 months. If a minor fire has already started within your ductwork, there is a chance that the fire dampers can be repaired, but generally, once there has been a fire, your fire dampers will need to be replaced. We have a comprehensive range of replacement Fire Dampers for all size and shapes of duct.

Testing of your Fire Dampers

To test your existing fire dampers, we ideally need a list of all fire dampers within your building. A schematic diagram is ideal. If you don't have any drawings available, we can arrange one of our qualified fire safety engineers to visit and prepare one.

Then we will schedule another site visit to test your fire dampers at a time that suits you. We often work in busy hospitals, offices, shops, gyms and warehouses, so we can schedule our work to minimise disruption.

If you are unsure whether you have any fire dampers within your ductwork system, we can arrange a site visit to search for any fire dampers, and mark them on a basic layout drawing for you.

Installing Fire Dampers

We are experienced in installing fire dampers in new and existing HVAC systems, and

are happy to answer any of your questions about fire dampers maintenance,

installation and safety. For more information, please get in touch. Contact Us