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Fire Damper Testing

Fire Damper Testing in Kent, London, Essex, Sussex and Surrey

Welcome to our comprehensive Fire Damper Testing services in the UK. Our mission is to help you maintain the highest standards of fire safety in your building, ensuring compliance with regulations and protecting lives and property.

The overwhelming majority of property owners are responsible individuals who understand the importance of taking steps to mitigate the risk of fire on their premises. That includes making sure fire dampers are installed in their HVAC system’s ductwork. However, installing fire dampers alone is not enough. It is imperative that those dampers are also inspected on a regular basis to ensure that, should the time come when they are needed, that they are able to respond quickly and effectively.

Fire dampers are located within ductwork and ventilation systems where the duct passes through fire containment zone walls and floors. In the event of a fire these fire dampers are designed to shut, preventing flames and smoke from freely passing through the fire zones. But how does something like a fire damper know when to shut?

Fire Damper Testing in Kent
Fire Damper Testing Kent

How Fire Dampers Work

Fire dampers are essential components of a building’s fire protection system. They are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts. In the event of a fire, these dampers automatically close, sealing off ductwork and preventing the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.

In most cases, these dampers, installed in the HVAC system ductwork, employ a fusible link that melts when the temperature exceeds 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the link melts the damper is released and swings shut blocking smoke, heat and flames from spreading.

In some cases, the melting point of the fusible link may need to be higher, and in still other cases buildings may employ an actuator that opens and closes the damper.

Why Is Fire Damper Testing Important?

Regular fire damper testing is crucial for several reasons:

  • Regulatory Compliance: UK fire safety regulations require that fire dampers are tested regularly to ensure they function correctly. Failure to comply can result in significant penalties. British Standard BS 9999: 2017 The Fire Safety Code of Practice for the Design, Management and Use of Buildings covers routine inspection and maintenance of ventilation and air conditioning ductwork and states that; all dampers must be tested and maintained at a maximum interval of 12 months. BS 9999 also puts the duty of care squarely on the building owner to make sure the ductwork and all its related components, including fire dampers, are regularly cleaned and properly maintained.
  • Safety Assurance: Properly functioning fire dampers are vital in protecting occupants and property in the event of a fire. Regular testing ensures that these critical components will operate as intended in an emergency. For healthcare premises fire and smoke dampers should be tested annually in accordance with the HTM 03-01 guidance on specialised ventilation for healthcare premises and HTM 05-01, which sets out requirements for managing healthcare fire safety.
  • Insurance Requirements: Many insurance policies require proof of regular fire damper testing as part of their coverage conditions.
Fire Damper Test Kent

Our Fire Damper Testing Services

We offer a full range of fire damper testing services tailored to meet the specific needs of your building, including:

  • Visual Inspection: Our experts conduct a thorough visual inspection of each fire damper to check for any signs of damage, obstruction, or wear and tear.
  • Operational Testing: We test the operation of each fire damper to ensure it closes properly when triggered. This includes checking the activation mechanism and verifying that the damper seals the ductwork completely.
  • Compliance Checks: To ensure your dampers are fully compliant, our team are fully trained to spot issues that could prevent your building from being non-compliant with its Fire Strategy and BS9999:2017 when inspecting the fire dampers and their installation. These issues are highlighted in our report.
  • Reporting and Certification: After completing the testing, we provide a detailed report outlining the condition and performance of each fire damper. We also issue details of compliance, which can be used for insurance and regulatory purposes.
Fire Damper

Why Choose Us?

At Cleanair UK we are scrupulous in making sure all the work we perform is in full compliance with current industry best practices and conforms to all government regulations as well as health and safety standards. Our years of experience and the expertise of our team members enable us to provide our leading-edge services in the most efficient manner possible. As a result, we are able to keep our costs down and pass the savings on to our customers.

 

  • Experienced Professionals: Our team of certified technicians has extensive experience in fire damper testing, ensuring a thorough and reliable service.
  • Nationwide Coverage: We offer fire damper testing services across the UK, with the flexibility to work around your schedule to minimize disruption.
  • Competitive Pricing: We provide high-quality services at competitive rates, with transparent pricing and no hidden costs.
  • State-of-the-Art Equipment: We use the latest technology and equipment to ensure accurate testing and reliable results.

Legal Requirements for Fire Damper Testing

Under UK fire safety regulations, it is mandatory to regularly test and maintain fire dampers to ensure they operate correctly in the event of a fire. BS 9999 recommends that fire dampers be inspected and tested at least annually, with more frequent testing for dampers in high-risk areas. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and increased risk of fire hazards.

How Often Do Fire Dampers Need to Be Inspected
Fire Safety Enforcement Recent Legal Actions Speak Volumes

Fire Safety Enforcement: Recent Legal Actions Speak Volumes

Some might be tempted to think the odds of being prosecuted for violating an obscure fire safety code related to fire damper inspection are remote. They too should think again. The following are just a few examples of many that demonstrate the UK government takes fire safety, including fire damper testing requirements, seriously.

  • A hotel in Finchley, North London was recently fined £30,000 after being found to be in violation of the Fire Safety Order of 2005.
  • A manufacturer of bedding in Huddersfield was fined £18,000 for a variety of fire safety breaches, with the presiding judge in the case branding the company’s manufacturing facilities a “death trap”.
  • A hotel manager in Mansfield was fined £15,000 and jailed for 8 months for failing to ensure fire safety equipment in the hotel had undergone necessary maintenance.

These and many other cases make it clear that the UK government will not abide by fire safety violations.

Book Your Fire Damper Test Today

Don’t leave your building’s safety to chance. Contact us today to schedule your fire damper testing and ensure you are fully compliant with UK fire safety regulations. Our team is ready to provide you with a service you can trust.

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FAQs

Fire dampers should be tested at least once a year, or more frequently depending on the specific conditions and regulations affecting your building.

If a fire damper fails the test, we will provide recommendations for repair or replacement and can carry out the necessary work to bring your system back into compliance.

Yes, all our technicians are fully certified and trained to perform fire damper testing in accordance with UK fire safety regulations.

The duration of the testing depends on the number of dampers in your building and their condition. We aim to complete all work as efficiently as possible, minimising any disruption to your operations.

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