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Why Do You Need
Fire Damper Testing?
Fire dampers are located within ventilation ductwork and are designed to prevent the spread of fire. As such, it’s important to make fire damper testing part of a building’s overall fire prevention strategy and factor it into your maintenance regime.
When functioning as they should, these fire damper installations should effectively prevent the spread of fire and smoke throughout a building by closing when heat is detected. As these dampers are to automatically close, it’s crucial to check that the actual detection system and mechanisms in place are working, so that they are ready to activate should a fire occur.
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J&I Fire Damper Testing Services Include
- Fire Damper Identification
- Fire Damper Testing
- Fire Damper Cleaning
- Fire Damper Maintenance
- Fire Damper Testing Records
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Fire Damper Testing
Requirements
In accordance with British Standards 9999:2017 Annex W.1, all fire dampers should be drop tested, cleaned and maintained at regular intervals, not exceeding 2 years, whilst spring operated fire dampers should be tested at least once a year. This is because general usage of a ventilation system can create gradual contamination on the fire damper mechanism, which must be removed using the correct tools and procedures.
You may also want to increase your fire damper testing frequency to keep them in good working order all year round and in line with the current legal requirements. Grease Gone can help you do this by scheduling regular maintenance checks.
What needs to be checked when testing a Fire Damper
During inspection, our operatives look out for the following –
- Damages or obstructions to the curtain
- Internal blades operating and spring mechanism functioning
- Channels and side rails clear of obstructions
- Fusible link’s integrity
- Remove dirt, dust and contamination levels that could prevent fire damper from fully closing
- Drop test the fire damper to ensure it is in working order
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Consequences of poorly
maintained Fire Dampers
If a building is your responsibility, remember that the consequences of faulty fire dampers could be serious. In the event that there is a fire, these devices can save lives by preventing the unnecessary spread of smoke and fire to other parts of the building, giving people enough time to evacuate and the fire department a better chance of containing the blaze.
If someone in the building was to actually die as a result of a fire that could have been controlled with operational fire dampers, you could be liable for prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act.
You would also find it harder to claim for fire damage on your insurance unless you can provide reports which prove you have had your fire dampers tested and maintained.
Ultimately, testing a fire damper using the correct methods and by working with an organisation that has the appropriate fire damper testing certification is an important preventive measure for any building that values the health and safety of its employees, tenants and visitors.
The risk and consequences of not following fire smoke damper testing requirements
- A potentially unsafe building
- Risk of a fine
- Difficulty making insurance claims for fire damage
- Possible corporate manslaughter liability
Industry-Leading reporting and photographic evidence
At the end of our comprehensive inspections, at Grease Gone we supply written reports summarising the following –
- Comprehensive list of fire dampers within your building
- Fire damper accessibility and type
- Fire damper condition summary
- Test date and drop test result
- Name of operative testing, along with any recommendations and further actions required to achieve compliance
- Photographs of each damper showing the condition of the damper on inspection and after testing
If you are the designated fire prevention officer, or the person responsible for the fire safety within your building and would like your fire dampers tested and maintained with a written report to show your compliance to satisfy authorities, please get in touch today.
Effective service, adapted to suit any commercial or domestic environment.
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