They might look like an innocuous piece of equipment but fire dampers provide an essential line of defence if a fire takes hold in a building, by preventing smoke and flames from spreading.  

So just how do these important safety devices work – and how will they support your fire safety strategy to help protect lives and prevent widespread and costly damage? Our experts explain…  

What is a fire damper?  

A fire damper is a curtain-like device designed to stop the spread of fire through walls, floors and ceilings. It is a safe and reliable way to seal off a duct once it detects smoke or flames. 

The heat and smoke from a fire triggers a fusible link in the device, activated at 72oc, or melts the solder holding it together. The fire damper’s blade or mechanical curtain immediately closes, sealing off the duct wherever it is positioned. 

This simple process maintains the all-important compartmentation that creates a barrier to prevent the spread of flames, toxic smoke and hot gases to other parts of the building. That gives further precious time to evacuate occupants and potentially prevent further damage. 

Types of fire dampers   

1. Combined fire and smoke dampers – these motorised fins have seals to prevent smoke passage, helping prevent escape routes from being smoke-logged. They are connected to the fire alarm system, closing automatically when it is activated. 
2. Intumescent dampers and grilles: Air passes freely through the grilles to provide ventilation in everyday use – but when exposed to heat, the intumescent material fitted to them and the dampers will expand to create a solid mass, preventing fire from breaching the compartment line.   
3. Volume control dampers (VCDs): Ensuring an even flow and distribution of fresh air, or extraction of unwanted air and odours, these can be mistaken for fire and smoke dampers but do not need to be tested for fire prevention use.  

Most fire dampers are made from galvanised steel and there are different models depending on their use, including the need to withstand rust, chemicals or potentially explosive areas. 

Fire damper testing   

To comply with UK legal requirements and ensure they work properly in an emergency, fire dampers must be properly maintained and tested annually.  

Being compliant with the standards can give a building’s operators the peace of mind that the people inside will be kept safe. 

Fire dampers can fail through incorrect installation, metal corrosion, poor maintenance and the build-up of dust and debris. 

Where are fire dampers installed?   

Fire dampers are installed in ductwork at the junctions of walls and ceilings and are a vital component of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, controlling the air supply in and out of a building. The ductwork can travel between many compartmented walls. 

In our inspections, we thoroughly check where each damper is positioned, identifying any issues with services, pipes or wires that may make the device non-compliant and ineffective in stopping the spread of fire. 

Fire damper standards   

Fire dampers must meet strict standards to ensure they can withstand fire and be an effective barrier to the spread of smoke and flames. These include: 

• The British Standard 9999 code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings. They must be serviced and inspected annually – and immediately replaced or repaired if faulty 

• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 says a building’s ‘responsible person’ should maintain its fire safety systems. Booking regular fire damper testing will comply with this 

In addition, manufacturers have specific guidelines covering their installation, including meeting the requirements of the test standard BS EN 1366 – 2. 

We also follow the DW145 installation guidance of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and DW144 specification for sheet metal ductwork. 

How we inspect fire dampers   

Our specialist team has worked for many years across several sectors, including hospitals, care homes, schools and universities, office and commercial properties and residential buildings to boost fire safety standards. 

The team’s detailed fire damper surveys, testing and installations ensure each building complies with fire safety laws and regulations. 

Working with each site’s requirements, we will timetable regular testing, provide detailed digital reports on each room or corridor’s damper compliance and provide a full maintenance schedule to keep them working in optimum order. We can also install the devices to the highest standards.