Fire Damper Testing
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it’s the responsibility of facilities managers, employers, landlords and property managers to maintain their fire safety systems through regular inspections and testing.
H2O Hygiene can carry out all your fire damper servicing, including visual condition checks, fire damper drop tests, replacing fusible links and cleaning or resetting the damper if needed. We then provide a compliant testing report to ensure the testing meets the necessary standards.
- Fully qualified fire damper inspection and testing services
- Here to keep you compliant with BS 9999:2017
- Tailored services from a family-run business
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Certifications & Accreditations
Our Process
Our Fire Damper Inspection & Testing Processes
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01. Fire Damper Inspection ProcessWhen you first contact us, we ask for schematics of your building to identify where your fire dampers are located. Once this is confirmed, we will arrive on a pre-arranged date at a time that works for you to arrange a comprehensive survey and to discuss your requirements in greater detail. Our fire damper inspection process goes beyond just a quick look – we carry out detailed assessments to catch risks before they cause failure. This process begins with an initial survey of your HVAC and fire safety system, where we look for signs of blockages, dust build-up, corrosion or any other obstructions that affect performance. Each fire damper is carefully assessed to make sure it’s accessible and fully operational.
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02. Fire Damper Testing ProcessWe then carry out a fire damper drop test, where we manually release the fusible link to test to see if the system functions properly, ensuring the fire dampers close completely. After completing the drop test, we reset the damper so it’s ready for use in an emergency. Our team then provides a detailed fire damper testing report based on our findings. If we discover any damage, corrosion or obstructions, we perform maintenance, including cleaning and the replacement of any faulty fusible links. If necessary, we also provide suggestions for remedial action, including maintenance and repairs.
Why Fire Damper Testing Matters
A fire damper prevents the spread of fire and smoke through ducting and HVAC systems. Fire dampers are typically installed near fire doors and firewalls, and the systems all work together to minimise or stop the spread of fire.
When fire spreads through the ducting, a fusible link on the damper will melt when in contact with heat, causing the damper to close. Regular fire and smoke damper testing guarantees the damper is functional in the event of a fire, while routine inspections highlight potential issues and signs of wear before they become failures.
If you’re responsible for maintaining fire safety systems and don’t conduct regular fire damper testing with proof, you’ll not only be risking lives and damage to your property, but you’ll also be breaking the law and can face fines or imprisonment.
Testing and maintenance must be performed by a competent and qualified fire damper testing company that can provide maintenance reports. These reports are vital proof for insurance companies and are necessary to comply with the law. Without proof of annual inspection and testing, responsible persons can face severe penalties, reputational damage and invalidated insurance.
There are several fire damper testing requirements to follow, and the frequency of testing also depends on the type of dampers installed.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places the responsibility on individuals within an organisation who manage public and commercial buildings to carry out fire damper testing.
BS 9999:2017:
- All types of fire dampers must be tested after installation and annually from then on.
- Fire dampers located in areas prone to more dust and pollutants should be tested more frequently.
- Any faults found require immediate repair or replacement.
The consequences of not performing a fire damper drop test service at least every 12 months could result in:
- Uncontrolled fire and smoke spread, which increases the risk of injuries and fatalities.
- High risk of devastating damage to your property.
- Reputational damage as a result of failing to maintain fire safety standards.
- Risk of prosecution for responsible persons.
- Potential fines of £5,000+ for building managers and responsible persons who don’t follow fire safety regulations.
- Denied insurance claims due to a lack of fire damper testing proof.
We have vast experience carrying out fire damper inspections for various industries across the UK, including:
- Commercial offices and retail spaces
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Healthcare providers, including hospitals, care homes and healthcare groups
- Hotels and leisure facilities
Our engineers work around your schedule and minimise disruption. Some industries, such as the healthcare sector, for example, may require more frequent testing in areas prone to high levels of dust and pollutants.
Our team at H2O Hygiene are fully competent, trained and qualified to perform fire damper inspections and testing. We truly care about our work and always take a bespoke approach to ensure your needs are met.
- We’re available UK-wide for commercial fire damper testing, always prioritising fast response times.
- Our flexible testing schedules minimise disruption to your business and property, and we ensure a full reset of dampers, leaving everything clean and tidy.
- On completion of inspection and testing, we provide detailed and compliant digital reports and certification for your records.
- We always provide our services with a smile and positivity, answering all questions with the utmost professionalism.
Got a Question?
Fire Damper Testing FAQs
An inspection is a detailed visual and physical check of the fire damper’s condition, which looks for signs of corrosion, blockages or obstructions that could stop it from working. Testing goes a step further, verifying the damper closes properly in the event of a fire.
Inspections involve accessing the dampers to check their condition and cleanliness. Engineers confirm there’s no corrosion, debris or obstructions that could affect performance.
Fire damper testing checks ensure they are working correctly, so fire and smoke are prevented from spreading through ducting and ventilation systems. The test involves inspecting, cleaning and resetting the dampers to ensure they close properly in the event of a fire, keeping buildings safe and compliant with UK regulations.
We recommend that fire dampers should be tested every X. Regular testing ensures they remain in good working condition, helping building owners meet their legal obligations and protect occupants. Dampers in humid, dusty environments or areas suffering from high levels of pollution will require more frequent testing.
The time depends on the number and location of dampers. A single fire damper may take 20-30 minutes to test, if there is suitable access, while larger buildings with more dampers will take longer. In some cases, specialist access equipment may be required. A full schedule will be planned to minimise disruption and keep the process efficient.
Yes – inspections make sure dampers are in good condition for use, while testing makes sure they operate correctly in the event of a fire.
If faults are found, such as broken fusible links, corrosion or obstructions, we document the issue in a compliance report and advise on any repairs or if a replacement is required. If we notice any corrosion or other types of severe wear, these issues will also be reported with remedial action advised. It’s crucial to fix any issues immediately to ensure safety and compliance.
H2O Hygiene provides tailored services and can conduct fire damper testing at a time that suits your needs, including out-of-hours. This minimises disruption and ensures the testing doesn’t affect the building’s occupants.
A compliance report details the location and condition of each tested damper, notes and photographic evidence of any faults, and confirms whether repairs are required. The report will contain all the evidence needed for your records, helping you demonstrate compliance with UK fire safety legislation.
