FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FIRE DAMPERS
FIRE DAMPERS ARE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF HVAC SYSTEMS
Fire dampers are integrated into HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, their function is to delay or prevent the spread of fire through the air-conditioning system, they act as a critical barrier during fires which gives building occupants more time to evacuate safely.
FIRE DAMPERS NEED REGULAR CHECKS
Fire dampers are essential safety devices requiring consistent maintenance and this maintenance is a must-do item as set out in BS 9999. Accumulation of dust, debris, and rust, broken fusible links, disconnected drives or electrical faults will hinder their operation. Regular inspections and testing ensure their operational integrity thus safeguarding property and lives in the event of a fire. Make maintenance of fire dampers a non-negotiable aspect of your maintenance program.
CHECKS MUST BE CONDUCTED BY COMPETENT PERSONNEL
British Standard 9999:2017 states that a “competent person” must maintain and test all dampers at intervals not exceeding 12 months but what constitutes a competent person? Someone who is “suitably trained and qualified by training and practical experience”. Attending a one or two day “fire damper testing” course does not meet this requirement. All of NFDI test engineers have obtained or are in the process of obtaining the SCQF Level 5: GT1F 04 Fire and Smoke Control Damper Qualification which requires some 1,000 hours of work experience, the completion of written assignments and on site evaluation by the training organisation. No building owner should settle for lessor standards.
ALL BUILDINGS NEED FIRE DAMPERS
Fire safety systems which include fire dampers (as a component of HVAC systems) are a universal necessity, regardless of building size or type.
FIRE DAMPERS DO NOT LAST FOREVER
Fire dampers and/or their components have a finite lifespan. Like all electro/mechanical equipment they are subject to wear and tear. Annual inspections and testing are vital to uncovering and rectifying any deterioration thus prolonging their functional lifespan – and these inspections ensure that stay compliant with legislative requirements.
CONCLUSION
Fire damper inspection and testing on at least an annual basis is a specific requirement of British Standard 9999 (2017) and this requirement is reinforced by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Building Safety Act. It is an implicit obligation of the building owner/operator to undertake this necessary safety task and of the testing company to provide competent people (as defined) to carry out the task.
Contact us now for expert fire damper inspection and testing services which will ensure that you are conforming to regulatory requirements and that your building is safe. Our team specialises in fire damper testing; it is not an additional service that we provide, it is the only service that we provide which makes us the trusted partner for leading hotels and hotel groups, healthcare and commercial/industrial facilities throughout the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
