Fire Dampers & Smoke Extracts

Fire Dampers and Smoke Extracts

Fire Stopping to Maintain Fire Resistance

Fire Stopping around Fire Dampers is a critical aspect of Fire Safety in buildings, as they are installed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through ducts. To meet BS 9999: 2017 requirements "The junction between the air handling system and the wall or floor should be sealed to maintain the fire resistance of the element in which the system is installed."

What you should know about fire dampers

Air Ventilation systems can help spread fires without them.
Fire dampers need to be inspected annually
Faulty fire dampers will not prevent the spread of fire
Fire dampers should be properly stopped to maintain the fire resistance.

How often does it need to be done?

According to BS 9999:2017

“All fire dampers should be tested by competent persons at regular intervals not exceeding two years.

Spring operated fire dampers should be tested annually and fire dampers in dust laden atmospheres should be tested much more frequently to suit the degree of pollution.”

Heating and Ventilation Systems Health Technical Memorandum 03-01: Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises Part B: Operational Management and Performance Verification STATES THE FOLLOWING GUIDANCE:

1.31 Regular tests, at intervals agreed with the local fire prevention officer, will need to be carried out in order to demonstrate the continuing efficiency of the fire detection and containment systems. These may be in addition to the inspections detailed above. Records of these tests should be kept.

4.13 All fire dampers should be tested as part of the annual verification.

For further information about our Fire Damper, Air Handling Unit, and Local Exhaust Ventilation System Maintenance Services, please visit our sister company within EA-RS Group: www.airprojectsleicester.co.uk

Fire and Smoke Damper Testing & Inspection

Fire damper testing is normally carried out as part of a monitoring and compliance service.

Included in our service is photographic documentation; hard and e-copy reports; ceiling and duct locator labels to identify locations (colour coded); entry of damper location on to customer drawings; damper drop tests/re-set; minor damper operational adjustment and/or repair; notification of more major repair recommendations if necessary. Our technicians will also identify any fire stopping issues around the fire or smoke dampers. The service and inspection can be performed as a “stand alone” service or as part of our regular ventilation and air hygiene monitoring agreement.

Is Fire Damper Testing required?

Yes:- Fire dampers are intended to prevent the ductwork transmitting fire from one area of a building into another. Regular maintenance and testing is essential to ensure correct operation of the fire dampers. BS 9999:2017 addresses this situation by stating that:

“… all fire dampers to be tested by a competent person on completion of the installation and at regular intervals not exceeding 2 years. 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.” And “The junction between the air handling system and the wall or floor should be sealed to maintain the fire resistance of the element in which the system is installed”.

How can Air Projects help with Fire Damper Testing?

We have a team of experienced fire damper testing technicians who can provide this service, fully supported by the appropriate compliance documentation on completion. Because fire dampers are a significant method of protection against fire spreading from one area to another if there were a fire in your building, our regular testing can help to ensure that they will work if, and when, called to do so. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the correct operation of the fire dampers.

Benefits of using our sister company, Air Projects:

Compliance met via auditable documented testing programme
Identification of faults so that rectification can be implemented to prevent failures in the event of fire
Safety – assurance and peace of mind that regularly tested dampers will work when called upon to do so.