Fire safety Fire damper testing
Fire damper testing, inspection and maintenance to BS 9999:2017, evidenced with drop tests and photographic reports.
Fire dampers are the metal barriers inside your building’s ventilation ductwork that close automatically in a fire, sealing the duct where it passes through a fire-rated wall, floor or compartment line. They contain fire and smoke long enough to allow safe evacuation and give firefighters time to control the blaze. Clean Ducts installs, inspects, drop tests and maintains fire dampers across every building type, with written reports and photographic evidence that demonstrate compliance.
Our engineers carry out an internal visual inspection of each damper and test its operation. That inspection covers:
Every finding is recorded, with photographic evidence for each damper inspected.
Clean Ducts is the ventilation-hygiene brand of Gemini AMPM, and we test, clean and maintain fire dampers in accordance with BS 9999:2017. That means your dampers are drop tested, cleaned and maintained at least once every year, so you can show that each one has been checked and left in working order.
If you are the designated fire prevention officer, or the person responsible for fire safety within your building, we provide a written report and photographic evidence to support your compliance records. Engineers are BESA-trained, and reports are prepared to be used as part of your building’s fire safety documentation.
A fire damper is a safety device installed in the ductwork of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through ducts in walls, floors and ceilings. It closes automatically when high heat is detected.
Fire dampers are designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through ductwork and ventilation systems. They act as barriers, closing off airflow during a fire to contain flames and smoke within a defined area.
Fire dampers are typically installed in ventilation ducts that penetrate fire-rated barriers throughout a building, such as walls and floors. Their placement compartmentalises the building and is critical to delaying the progression of fire.
Fire dampers can be passive or motorised. Passive dampers rely on gravity and springs to close when exposed to high temperatures, forming a barrier within the ductwork. Motorised dampers use electronic actuators and are often connected to a fire alarm or building management system (BMS).
Yes. Regular inspection and maintenance are essential so that a damper functions correctly when it is needed. This includes checking for obstructions, verifying proper closure and addressing any issues promptly.
Fire dampers must comply with the relevant building regulations and standards. Regular inspection and testing are required to meet those requirements, and records should be kept to evidence that the work has been carried out.
Fire dampers form part of a building’s overall fire protection strategy. They work alongside other measures such as fire doors, sprinkler systems and smoke detectors.
Properly functioning fire dampers are critical for life safety, because they limit the spread of fire and smoke and give occupants more time to evacuate. It is a legal requirement to have them regularly maintained, with full reports and photographic evidence for each damper inspected. Building owners and facility managers should understand the fire protection requirements for their premises and ensure dampers are installed, maintained and tested to the relevant regulations.
In the UK, fire dampers must be tested and inspected at least annually in line with BS 9999:2017. Spring-loaded (mechanical) dampers must also be drop tested to confirm proper function.
Fire dampers close when temperatures rise due to fire. Smoke dampers close in response to smoke detection. Some systems use combination fire and smoke dampers for dual protection.
An engineer will:
Yes. Fire dampers can be retrofitted, but it requires careful planning to keep the installation compliant with fire compartmentation rules and the HVAC design.
A professional fire damper inspection will check the location and quantity of dampers, compliance with the relevant standards such as BS 9999, and your testing and maintenance records.
To confirm the condition of the fire dampers in your building, or to arrange annual testing with a full written report, request a survey and we will take it from there.
We walk the system, tell you what’s compliant and what isn’t, and put it in writing — a named engineer replies within 24 hours.