Fire Damper Testing

Fire dampers are crucial passive fire protection products that help to prevent the quick and dangerous spread of fire and smoke through building ductwork which penetrate fire and smoke barriers. They slow the progression of fire allowing people sufficient time to evacuate a building safely during a building fire. As with any safety apparatus, these need to be regularly tested and maintained in order to ensure that if and when the time comes, they will work and do their job effectively.

 

A lack of upkeep, poor installation and failure to maintain dampers can lead to issues such as rusted, disintegrated or dust and dirt filled parts that can cause them to fail to function properly when they are needed.

What Is a Fire Damper?

Fire Dampers are integrated into the ductwork of heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems to help delay the spread of smoke and fire and thus to allow people sufficient time to safely evacuate a building during a fire.

 

If a fire was to break out in a building with no fire dampers in fire and smoke barriers, then it can quickly and easily pass through duct systems, spreading rapidly throughout the premises, and infiltrating fire-resistant walls and floors into escape routes.

 

Fire dampers are designed to delay this transmission from happening by closing shut when a fire occurs. This helps to hold back the fire and reduce the chance of it spreading.

Why Do I Need Fire Damper Testing?

Fire dampers are a crucial part of any building’s fire safety system and they need to be properly maintained to ensure that they are working effectively.

How Often Should Fire Dampers Be Checked?

It is now a legal requirement for fire dampers to be tested every year. Fire damper testing is just as important as the regular testing of fire alarms to keep buildings safe and prepared in the event that a fire occurs.

What Does Fire Damper Testing Entail?

Here’s what clients can expect during our fire damper maintenance and testing appointments:

 

  • An inventory of all fire dampers within the building and where they are located is created.
  • All fire dampers are individually inspected for signs of corrosion, damage and obstructions.
  • Each one is activated and physically ‘dropped’ to check effectiveness.
  • Channels and runners are cleaned.
  • Advice is given on any damaged dampers that need to be repaired or replaced.
  • Dampers are reset.
  • A comprehensive report is produced which details all locations, maintenance, agreed repairs and replacements as well as any recommendations and detailed exception reports on any failures.

 

Ductclear can help ensure that everything is in top working order to keep both your building and its occupants safe.

 

To find out more about fire damper servicing and how we can help you, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Call Ductclear on 01704 535010 today for more information on our services.