Fire Damper Testing Birmingham | Swiftclean (UK) Limited

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Comprehensive Inspection & Testing Services

If a fire breaks out in your property, then the effectiveness of the fire detection, protection and suppression systems you put in place will determine the outcome for the building, its contents and occupants.

Fire dampers are passive fire protection devices that help to slow down fire from travelling through ductwork and spreading to other parts of the property. Maintaining these fire dampers is crucial in order to ensure that they are in full working order if they are ever needed.

At Swiftclean our team of specialists work to deliver comprehensive fire damper testing services to help make sure that your premises are safe and legally compliant.

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The Importance of Fire Damper Testing

An essential part of any buildings fire safety system, fire dampers slow the progression of fire which works to;

Slow it from spreading to other areas
Preserve vital escape routes
Give more time for occupants to safely evacuate
Greatly reduce the amount of damage to the building and its contents
Provide additional time for emergency services to arrive

Because fire dampers are tucked away hidden inside ductwork, they are difficult to access which makes it tough to check on them like you might with other equipment such as fire extinguishers. If fire dampers are not regularly checked, tested, and maintained they can fail when they are needed the most due to faulty parts, obstructions, damage and many other reasons.

Just one faulty fire damper can put the safety of the building and the lives of those inside in jeopardy which is why it is so important they are tested regularly to ensure that they are in full working order if they are ever needed to do their job.

What Do Our Fire Damper Testing Services Cover?

At Swiftclean our professional Birmingham fire damper testing services help to keep your people and your property safe.

Our fire damper testing includes visual inspections of the fire damper, a drop test and comprehensive reporting which covers things like;

A full inventory of all fire dampers and where they are located in the building which will be matched with current records.
One by one each fire damper is inspected for correct installation as well as visible signs of damage, corrosion, faults or any obstructions.
Every fire damper is drop tested, which means manually releasing them to check their effectiveness.
All runners and channels are cleaned.
A report is created detailing results of the drop tests, if there were failings and any recommendations for repairs or replacements.

Fire Damper Compliance

At Swiftclean we can deliver professional, reliable and cost-effective servicing, maintenance and testing of fire dampers in Birmingham for buildings and properties of all size, type and complexity.

To find out more about our fire damper testing services please do not hesitate to get in touch or alternatively fill out the contact form and a member of our friendly team will get back to you.

FAQ’s

What is a fire damper drop test?

Firstly, the fire dampers are located and visually inspected to check for signs of corrosion, faults, broken parts, poor installation, damage or blockages and if necessary cleaned.

At this point the drop test is carried out by releasing the damper by hand, causing the shutters to fall, close, and seal off the duct. At this point the tester can then examine the condition of the seals and the mechanisms to ensure that they are all working as they should be.

Detailed records are taken of the test for the report and each fire damper is properly reset.

How do fire dampers work?

Fire dampers are installed within HVAC ductwork, typically where they pass through fire resistance rated doors, walls and floors. They are designed with blades / shutters that remain open when not in use to allow air to flow freely through the ducts.

There are different types of fire dampers, but most of them contain a thermal sensor which melts when the atmospheres temperature indicates the presence of fire. When this happens, the sensors trigger the dampers and the blades spring shut, sealing the duct tightly and slowing the spread of smoke and fire.

Why do fire dampers fail?

There are a number of reasons that fire dampers can fail when they are needed the most which is why it is so important that they are checked and tested regularly.

Some of the most common causes of fire damper failure are;

Blockages such as wires, cabling and foreign materials
Accumulation of dust, dirt, debris and particulates affecting the seals
Poor or incorrect installation
Faulty or broken parts
Corrosion or rust

It can take just one faulty damper to allow fire to spread so it is imperative that they are tested at least every 12 months in order to remain compliant with relevant fire safety legislation.

Swiftclean commitment:

Identify and locate each fire damper
Retrofit access doors if any of these are inaccessible
Carry out fire damper testing, cleaning and drop testing and reset each fire damper
Provide accurate records of fire damper testing, cleaning and drop testing, including before and after photographs of cleaning
Identify any problems and recommend remedial action
Carry out remedial work where required

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