Fire damper testing

How do fire dampers prevent a fire from spreading? 

When a fire breaks out in a building, the heat and smoke triggers a fusible link, activated at 72oc, in the fire damper device – or melts the solder holding it together – so that its mechanical curtain or blade immediately closes.  

This seals off the duct in the wall or floor where it is positioned and maintains the compartmentation. That stops the flames, toxic smoke and hot gases from spreading to other parts of the building, holding back the fire to give occupants vital time to evacuate, potentially preventing loss of life and widespread damage to the property. 

There are three main types of dampers: 

• Combined fire and smoke dampers – these are connected to the property’s fire alarm system and will close automatically throughout the building when the alarm is activated. These are typically motorised fins with seals to prevent smoke passage and have an electronic fusible link or sensor. Its reaction can be monitored on the system’s control panel or building management system (BMS). These dampers also manage or control smoke extraction, preventing escape routes and rooms from becoming smoke-logged 

• Intumescent dampers and grilles – these are made of a material that expands when exposed to fire or hot air. The opening closes to prevent fire from passing through the compartment line. These require no inspection or maintenance, but we advise on checking their condition is still fit for purpose 

• Volume control dampers(VCDs) – these dampers manage the flow and balance of the ventilation system to ensure 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 purposes 

Fire dampers are normally made from galvanised steel but there are different models depending on their use, such as those needing to be rust, chemical or explosion-proof. The fire rating of the dampers, or how long they can keep the fire, heat and smoke at bay, is measured in minutes. This varies depending on the type and model of damper and on the specific requirements of your property.  

Why do fire dampers fail?  

Incorrect installation, poor maintenance, metal corrosion, the build-up of dust and debris and the general wear and tear of a building’s fabric are all factors that can contribute to a failing fire damper. 

Being fully compliant with fire safety regulations means that it is essential for building owners and managers to arrange regular inspections and testing by qualified professionals. 

Our experts are fully adept at assessing and monitoring a fire damper’s compliance. We can then make the necessary recommendations to ensure its safe operation in case of fire. 

How does Fire Consultancy Specialists inspect fire dampers?  

We will survey your building to locate every damper installed and generate a comprehensive report on their condition. Each one needs to be installed correctly and be the right damper for the job. 

We inspect the device using three criteria: its accessibility, installation and the drop test. We activate each damper – they are physically ‘dropped’ to check they are in full working order – as part of the approved testing regime set out BS9999. 

As well as checking the fire damper, our team thoroughly inspects where it is sited, identifying any issues with services, pipes or wires that may render the device non-compliant and ineffective in stopping a fire from spreading. Each manufacturer has specific guidelines  that must be adhered to, as well as the requirements of the test standard BS EN 1366 – 2. This includes the spacing between dampers and other services. 

Our reporting identifies where each fire damper is installed in the building and creates a plan of action for a full inspection to ensure they are still compliant and working as effectively as they should be. If necessary, we can then advise our client on any ineffective dampers that may need repairing or replacing, and can undertake this work ourselves. 

Many people are unaware of fire dampers and their important role in limiting fire damage. Some buildings may even have dampers that were installed 20 years ago when the legislation was not as robust as it is today. That’s why it is vital to have regular inspections and replace fire dampers where necessary.

We are very proud of our commitment to going above and beyond with all our services to a wide range of clients. Our friendly and professional team are experts in achieving the highest fire safety standards and we are passionate about delivering a first-class service, as well as developing our own skills. 

We embrace advances in technology, adopting the latest software, and enjoy finding solutions to improve our testing skills. For example, our remediation work has recently included replacing and reinstalling numerous non-compliant dampers, reinstating the fire rating of buildings. We installed new dampers when required and more than 300 access doors into the ductwork to allow us to complete both a visual and mechanical inspection of them. 

We can immediately repair those dampers we deem as crucial, if they no longer work or have seized up. We can create fully-costed and highly efficient maintenance plans to help clients budget for scheduled repairs to keep their fire dampers in the best condition. 

Our specialists conduct fire damper testing for clients across a wide range of sectors, including universities, scientific research sites, laboratories, office developments and libraries. Each building has its own specific needs that requires a bespoke approach and a professional touch. 

We are responsible for the thorough inspection of fire dampers for the University of Nottingham’s main campus and both its Jubilee and Sutton Bonington sites, safeguarding the students and staff at more than 100 buildings. 

Each building has had a full fire damper survey and we inspect and test all its fire dampers. The next stage is proposing an action plan to complete the remediation work on any non-compliant dampers we may find. 

We have also inspected fire dampers installed to fire curtains situated more than 20ft in the air at a healthcare manufacturer at Renishaw, in Cardiff. We have provided bespoke advice on the best course of action to guarantee safe access to our engineers to carry out annual inspections and remediation works.