MyDuctwork Ltd. can offer a detailed service of your fire/smoke dampers, which includes location check, inspection, cleaning, drop test, lubrication, providing a detailed report together with photographic evidence and recommendations.
We are also able to provide you with the service needed to rectify any remedial recommendations.
What Are Fire Dampers?
Fire dampers are passive fire protection products used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts to dramatically reduce the spread of fire inside the ductwork through fire-resistance rated walls and floors.
Fire/smoke dampers are similar to fire dampers in fire resistance rating, and also prevent the spread of smoke inside the ducts. When a rise in temperature occurs, the fire damper closes, usually activated by a thermal element which melts at temperatures higher than ambient, but low enough to indicate the presence of a fire, allowing springs to close the damper blades. Fire dampers can also close following receipt of an electrical signal from a fire alarm system utilising detectors remote from the damper, indicating the sensing of heat or smoke in the building occupied spaces or in the HVAC duct system.
Fire Damper Testing & Reporting
Basic testing and reporting procedure is set out in BESA publication SFG 20. This sets out the minimum requirements for testing and reporting.
Testing as a minimum should include:
- An inventory of all dampers to be tested.
- All Fire/Smoke dampers will be manually released to ensure the integrity of the spring loaded shutter.
- The fusible link should be inspected for any deformity or damage.
- The Fire/Smoke damper will be cleaned and lubricated within the closed position.
- The Fire/Smoke damper shall then be opened and re-set.
- Any severe corrosion found shall be reported to the client.
Reports as a minimum should include:
- Test results with client information, including position within the building/system, date and name of Operative shall be recorded and any comments noted if further action is required.
- Asset register to include damper location and ID number.
- Inspection results including details of failed damper operation.
- If drawings are provided, update and annotate details.
- Digital Photographic evidence of damper condition prior to and after testing procedures.
- Explanation of failed operation and recommended corrective or remedial action.
Standards
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty of care on the building owner/occupier to take such general fire precautions as will ensure, so far as reasonably practical the safety of the building and safety of the people within it.
This programme also helps to provide compliance with the Workplace, Health, Safety and Welfare.
Regulations Approved Code of Practice 1992, which stipulates:
“Mechanical ventilation systems (including air conditioning systems) should be regularly and properly cleaned, tested and maintained to ensure that they are kept clean and free from anything which may contaminate the air.”
British Standard 9999:2017 – Code of Practice for Fire Safety in the Design, Management & Use of Buildings, publishes industry standards for the definition, maintenance and testing of Fire dampers. It states that all fire dampers should meet the criteria of the fire resistance for stated period of time and that:
“Any grille or opening through the enclosure for ventilation purposes should be protected by a fire damper.”
British Standard 9999:2017 – Code of Practice for Fire Safety in the Design, Management & Use of Buildings, publishes industry standards for the definition, maintenance and testing of Fire dampers. It states that all fire dampers should meet the criteria of the fire resistance for stated period of time and that:
“Any grille or opening through the enclosure for ventilation purposes should be protected by a fire damper.”
“All fire dampers should be tested by a competent person at regular intervals not exceeding two years, 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.”