Whilst they aren’t talked about as much as other fire safety devices – such as sprinklers and smoke alarms – fire dampers are hugely important fire protection features that can save lives and property in the event of a blaze.

Dampers are described as ‘passive’ products because they only kick in when needed. They are used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through ductwork.

When dampers within the ducting systems sense a rise in temperature, or get triggered by a fire alarm system, they close. This prevents fire jumping from one part of a building to another, bypassing fire-resistant walls and doors.

It’s vital that fire dampers are tested regularly, to ensure they will work if ever called upon.

Fire Damper Testing – The Law

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates fire dampers, through the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2022. These regulations state that dampers must be tested every four years and that accurate records must be kept.

The law also advises that fire dampers should be included in building fire risk assessments and that they should be inspected regularly, on top of those four-yearly tests, to ensure they are in good working order.

Finally, any company that is contracted to inspect or clean dampers must also abide by the law. Firms should be licensed by an accredited body and must be fully insured.

Fire Damper Testing – How It Works

It’s paramount that fire dampers are tested regularly. This ensures that, should they ever be needed, they can work effectively and efficiently.

The first step in the testing process is to locate all the dampers and ensure they are in the right place, within fire containment zones. The immediate next step is then to ensure they can be fully accessed. It’s important each damper is accessible and regulations state they should be near to an access point.

Each damper is then individually inspected to ensure there is no corrosion, damage or blockages. They are then cleaned and lubricated, as needed.

The next, and perhaps most important, step, is to ‘drop-test’ the damper. This is where each damper is manually released, to ensure it closes properly.

Finally, any adjustments and repairs are made before the dampers are reset and ready for use.

How We Can Help

We have much experience conducting fire risk assessments and carrying out damper testing, and stand ready to help you with both of these things, and more. Give us a call on 0800 292 2400, fill out our online form or drop us an email at info@cleanairuk.com – we’re happy to help!

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Lower Building Maintenance Costs

All professional air quality test results include accurate relative humidity figures, with unusually high readings indicating the presence of excess moisture. By identifying the presence of excess moisture at an early stage, it is possible to deal with problems such as mould before they get out of hand.

Increased Productivity in the Workplace

Poor air quality can lead to a number of potentially serious health issues, which inevitably have a negative impact on productivity in the workplace. With a professional air quality test, you can find out exactly how clean the air in your office, factory or warehouse is and take remedial action if required.

Avoidance of Dangerous VOC Concentrations

The air in newly built or newly renovated properties may contain a dangerous level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds are found in many types of paint, varnish and commercial cleaning products and when present in large quantities in the air, may cause a wide variety of health issues. With this in mind, it is a good idea to arrange for professional air quality testing to be performed before moving into any new property.

Identifying Malfunctioning Appliances

Poorly maintained or malfunctioning appliances can cause a potentially fatal build-up of carbon monoxide in enclosed spaces. Professional air quality test results include an analysis of carbon monoxide levels, which means they can act as an early warning system when such appliances are present in the home or workplace. An air quality test is not, however, a substitute for regular maintenance of oil and gas-fired appliances.

Professional air quality testing results may also reveal the presence of pest infestations and poorly functioning ventilation systems. For more details of the many benefits that air testing has to offer, please feel free to contact us now. As air, water and environmental hygiene specialists, we perform comprehensive air quality tests for domestic and commercial customers in the United Kingdom.

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While 12 months is the maximum time that should be left between fire damper testing, it is actually sensible to test them more frequently than this. If fire dampers are in areas that would be considered high-risk such as hospitals and similar, fire damper testing should be completed more often to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.

How Do You Test Fire Dampers?

Our technicians can thoroughly test your fire dampers to ensure they are working exactly as you would expect them to. Fire damper testing involves locating all dampers on-site and making sure they are fully accessible and within the fire containment zone. Once this has been done, the dampers are cleaned, lubricated, and reset.

If any simple faults are found during our fire damper testing, they can be resolved there and then to ensure everything is left in full working order. Our technicians can also update mechanical drawings and create a full report of any work undertaken during their visit. The report will clearly state what was done along with the date, time, and a detailed explanation of the work. This adheres to all relevant fire safety compliance procedures.

Why Are Fire Dampers Important?

Fire dampers are extremely important when it comes to fire safety and prevention. They work by closing off air ducts if they detect heat in the air. In the event of a fire, this can prevent smoke from travelling through ventilation systems into other areas. They can also help prevent fire from spreading due to reducing or restricting the flow of air in the immediate vicinity around the fire.

Without fire dampers, there is a big risk of a fire quickly getting out of control and the spread of smoke, heat, and flames can be devastating. With fire dampers though, you can limit the amount of damage, disruption, and danger that fire causes by isolating it in one area.

Fire dampers need to perform exactly as they need to in the unfortunate event of a fire. Without regular testing, you run the risk of putting yourself and everyone else in your building in danger from fire.

How Cleanair UK Can Help

One of our highly-trained technicians can visit your premises and thoroughly test all fire dampers. They will complete all the physical testing as well as leaving you with a detailed report of what has been done. They can answer any questions or concerns you may have, and they will also make any minor repairs that need to be done.

If more work is needed to ensure your fire dampers are working properly, they will record this and we will get it sorted as soon as possible to ensure everyone stays safe and the risk of fire is kept as low as possible.

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In most cases, this needs to be done by an independent third party or by another person who is not directly involved with the management or maintenance of the building. This article details the various testing requirements for fire dampers in different UK locations.

Read on to discover more about the different regulations regarding fire damper testing for built-new properties, extensions, renovations, service company work, and commercial vs. non-commercial buildings.

UK Fire Dampers Regulations

Fire dampers are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and fall under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2002. All fire dampers need to be tested by an independent person at least every 4 years and records of the testing must be kept.

If a company is contracted to test or clean fire dampers, it must be able to produce an insurance certificate and a valid license from an accrediting body.

Fire dampers should also be included in the building’s fire risk assessment as part of the risk management procedures. In addition, fire dampers should be inspected regularly by the building owner or manager to ensure they are in good condition and operating correctly.

One of the best things about fire dampers is that they are easy to inspect. When inspecting the dampers, make sure they are not damaged, have been installed correctly, and operate smoothly.

Built-New Properties

Newly built properties need to comply with the requirements of the latest version of the Building Regulations in force at the time when they are built. If they are not, they may need to be retrofitted to make them safer in the event of a fire.

In particular, if sprinklers are not installed as part of a newly built property, fire dampers are an essential alternative protection measure.

Extensions to Existing Buildings

If you are extending an existing building, you need to make sure that you comply with the requirements that applied when the building was first constructed. This will protect you from future problems if the building regulations change.

If you are extending an existing building that meets the requirements of the Building Regulations in force when it was built, the risk of fire is generally reduced.

Renovations and Alterations to Existing Buildings

When you make any alterations or renovations to an existing building, you need to make sure that you comply with the requirements that applied when the building was first constructed.

If you are adding a new storey to an existing building, you need to make sure that the extended part of the building complies with the requirements of the current Building Regulations.

Commercial Properties

When a commercial property is built, the design must comply with the Building Regulations in force at the time. If it does not, it may need to be retrofitted to make it safer in the event of a fire.

In particular, if sprinklers are not installed as part of a commercial property, fire dampers are an essential alternative protection measure.

If you are in any doubt about the requirements relating to fire protection in a commercial building, you should check with your local planning authority before work is started.

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Fire dampers are there to contain the fire/hot gasses, preventing spread from one fire compartment to the next.

There are several technical & legal documents which state how, why, when and who needs to test fire dampers which can be quite confusing. If you contact us at Cleanair we can talk you through all the necessary actions you need to take. Check with your fire risk assessor as they would have highlighted fire dampers in their fire risk assessment.

No mechanical drawings or even know where the dampers are? Not a problem. We will carry out an on-site survey to list the locations and highlight any access issues before any fire damper testing is carried out.

BS 9999: 2017 states the following…

‘All fire dampers should be tested by a competent

person at regular intervals not exceeding one year,

and to be repaired or replaced immediately if found

to be faulty. Spring-operated fire dampers should be

tested annually and fire dampers situated in dust laden

and similar atmospheres should be tested

much more frequently, at periods suited to the

degree of pollution.’

Fire & Smoke dampers can come in many different guises. Below is a fusible link-spring operated type damper open and closed.

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We understand that business owners, building managers and landlords may not possess the expertise or time to carry out a fire risk assessment. The ‘responsible person,’ must ensure a fire risk assessment of the premises is carried out and regularly reviewed. The assessment will identify what you need to do to prevent fire and keep people safe. If your business has 5 or more people, you must keep a written record of your fire risk assessment.

You can do the fire risk assessment yourself with the help of standard fire safety risk assessment guides. If you don’t have the expertise or time to do the fire risk assessment yourself you need to appoint a ‘competent person’ to help.

As well as identifying the fire hazards and how to reduce them, our fire risk assessment will provide you with information on the systems you currently have or do not have in place and how to remedy any areas of non-compliance.

Book your Fire Risk Assessment today

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