Fire & Smoke Damper Inspection & Testing

The BS 9999:2017 Fire Safety in the Design, Management & Use of Buildings - Code of Practice

What is it?

The BS 9999:2017 Fire Safety in the Design, Management & Use of Buildings – Code of Practice requires all ducting, whether it is for ventilation, heating or air conditioning to be fitted with fire dampers.

A wide range of relevant laws and standards apply to the installation and testing of fire dampers.

Fire & Smoke Dampers are defined as “ …. a mechanical device that is operated automatically or manually and is designed to prevent the passage of fire and which, together with its frame, is capable of meeting for a stated period of time the fire resistance criterion for integrity”.

They’re fire-resistant and as such stop the fire from using the ductwork as a conduit to spread throughout the building – fire resistance needs to be tested and held up to the highest recognised standards.

All fire safety systems must be regularly and professionally maintained to ensure the safety of building occupants – a faulty fire or smoke damper will not prevent the spread of fire or smoke.

The standard goes on to state: “…. all fire dampers need to be tested by a competent person on completion of the installation and at annual intervals. 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’. Dampers in hospitals or high-risk environments will require more frequent testing.”

With the enactment of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is now also the employer’s responsibility to maintain their Fire Safety SystemsRecords.

Completing a testing routine is insufficient for compliance, you need to maintain accurate records of when testing was carried out which includes photographic evidence of testing, to demonstrate that testing has been conducted. Photographs should be taken of the drop test for each damper in both open & closed position along with the positions of each dampers within the building/system should be recorded using unique asset identification markers. Any damaged/inoperable or incorrectly positioned dampers must also have notes recorded along with solutions recommended to remedy the issues.

Why Do It?

Prevent The Spread of Fire & Smoke
Compliance with The BS 9999:2017 Fire Safety in the Design, Management & Use of Buildings – Code of Practice
Validate Building Insurance
Maintain ventilation efficiency
Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)

Why CDCS Ltd?

As a leading Cleaning & Hygiene Management Service Provider our skills & experience are second to none.

Our industry leading reporting process gives you a comprehensive list of Fire & Smoke Dampers in your building that details the condition, Drop Test Results, along with photographic evidence of testing to fulfil your legal obligation to current Fire Safety Legislation including BS 9999:2017 compliance.

We are committed to investing heavily in the latest technologies & first-class training, ensuring any projects are performed at the highest levels, safeguarding your business through risk mitigation.