Fire Damper Testing in Manchester

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Testing Services for Fire Dampers

When a fire breaks out in a building, the effectiveness of the fire safety system in place will determine the outcome for the property, its contents and the occupants.

Fire dampers are a crucial passive fire protection device that works to prevent fire and smoke from passing through the ductwork where it can spread rapidly to other areas of the building. A key element of ensuring these dampers work properly is to maintain them with yearly checking, testing and servicing.

At Swiftclean, our team of experts are on hand to help protect your premises and everyone inside with our fast, efficient and affordable fire damper testing services.

Why Are Fire Dampers So Important?

When a fire breaks out in a building, flames and smoke can travel quickly through the ventilation system to other parts of the property, putting the lives of those inside in danger.

Fire dampers are installed within ductwork and have shutters which under normal conditions remain open. If the fire damper sensor detects a fire, then it triggers the damper and activates the shutter which springs closed and seals off the duct, delaying the spread of smoke and fire.

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The importance of having fully functioning and effective fire dampers in place cannot be underestimated, because in the event they fail it can lead to;

Compromised escape routes
Fire quickly spreading to other areas of the building
People inside becoming trapped by fire or overwhelmed by smoke
Less time for occupants to evacuate safely
More of the building and its contents suffering from fire damage

At Swiftclean our specialists deliver comprehensive testing for fire damper in Manchester to help make sure that your building is safe and legally compliant.

What Happens During Fire Damper Testing?

At Swiftclean our fire damper testing services help to keep your property, its contents and all occupants safe.

Here is an overview of what is covered during a visit from our fire damper testing team.

A full inventory is created detailing all the buildings fire dampers and their location.
Each fire damper undergoes an inspection checking for visual signs of corrosion, damage, obstruction or fault.
One by one, every fire damper is drop tested – manually released to ensure they are dropping and sealing effectively.
All of the damper channels and runners are cleaned.
A detailed report is created which will include the results of the drop test, any failings, recommendations for repairs or replacements, cleaning and photographic evidence.

Compliant Fire Dampers

At Swiftclean, we deliver professional, reliable and cost-effective testing, servicing and maintenance of fire dampers in Manchester for premises and organisations of all size, type and complexity.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about our fire damper testing services then please do not hesitate to get in touch or fill out the contact form and a member of our friendly team will get back to you.

FAQ’s

How do fire dampers work?

Fire dampers are fitted within HVAC ductwork in areas where they pass through fire resistance rated walls and floors. They have shutters or blades that are designed to remain open under normal circumstances to allow the air to flow freely.

In the event of a fire, the dampers sensor (usually a thermal element) will melt due to the rise in temperature and trigger the fire damper, causing it to slam shut. This effectively seals the duct and delays smoke and fire from travelling through and spreading to other areas of the building.

What is a fire damper drop test?

A fire damper drop tests typically consists of 2 parts.

Firstly, each fire damper is found and their location documented. They are then visually inspected for any issues such as – faults, corrosion, poor installation, damage, broken parts or blockages. If required they are thoroughly cleaned and any debris, dust, dirt and grime removed.

The second part is the drop test which involves manually releasing each fire damper by hand. This causes the shutters to close so that the tester can examine the mechanism and the seals to ensure that they are all working as they should be.

A detailed report is made which includes notes on everything that took place during the test including cleaning, repairs, maintenance, test results and photographic evidence.

Each fire damper is then properly reset.

Why do fire dampers fail?

Fire dampers can be difficult to access because they are tucked away, hidden inside ductwork. However, if they are not regularly tested, checked and maintained then it can cause them to fail when they are needed the most.

Some of the most common reasons for fire damper failure include;

Obstructions or blockages from things such as wires, cabling and foreign materials being installed through the duct or even the damper being intentionally propped open by objects
Build-up of dust, dirt and debris that affects the seals
Improper installation
Faulty or broken parts
Corrosion or rust

Just one faulty fire damper can make all the difference as to the outcome of a fire which is why it is a legal requirement that they are tested every 12 months.

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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