Fire Damper Testing for Stadiums

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Putting Safety First

For any type of building or property that contains fire dampers, ensuring that they are regularly drop tested, monitored and maintained is crucial.

This is even more imperative when the structure or premise is one that hosts a large amount of people such as stadiums, where the number of visitors can reach tens of thousands at one time.

Fire dampers for stadiums are an essential part of their fire safety system and making sure that they are properly tested and in full working order at all times is something that should be taken very seriously as failing to do so can have severe consequences.

The Importance of Fire Dampers

Fire dampers are a ‘passive fire protection device’. They are installed within the ductwork of ventilation, heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and work like a type of ‘shutter’ which under normal conditions remain open, allowing the free flow of air.

The reason why the regular upkeep and proper testing of fire dampers is so crucial lies in the different scenarios of what happens when they do and don’t work effectively:

Working Fire Dampers

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In the event of a fire, the damper has a sensor which when triggered, will activate the damper and cause it to slam shut. This works to slow down and restrict the spread of smoke and fire to other areas of the building.

When fully functioning, fire dampers are extremely effective and by containing the smoke and fire, they help to preserve escape routes, reduce damage and provide vital extra minutes needed to safely evacuate all people on the premises.

Failed Fire Dampers

If a fire were to break out, the effect that fire dampers might have on the outcome can literally be the difference between life and death. If a fire damper fails to close, then smoke and fire can quickly use the ductwork as a route to travel through, spreading the fire rapidly to other areas of the building, compromising exits and limiting the amount of time to evacuate everyone safely.

What Causes Fire Dampers to Fail?

Fire damper failure can happen for several reasons and if it happens when there is a fire then this can lead to increased fire damage, loss of stock, equipment or property and worse of all, the harm or even death of people inside.

Some of the most common causes of fire dampers failing are;

Dirt, dust and debris build up
Blockages and obstructions
Poor installation
Broken or faulty parts such as springs
Rust or corrosion

Making sure that all the stadiums fire dampers are properly checked and tested is crucial in helping to maintain compliance to the required fire safety standards and to keep people safe.

Professional Fire Damper Testing

At Swiftclean, we work with businesses, companies and organisations of all types, size and sector to ensure that their fire dampers are professionally drop tested, checked and maintained, for safe, compliant and effective fire protection.

To find out more about our stadiums fire damper testing services, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

FAQ’s

What is a fire damper?

Fire dampers are a ‘passive fire protection device’. They are installed inside the ductwork of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, in areas where the ducts pass through fireresistant walls, floors, doors and other barriers.

Fire dampers look and function a bit like a roller shutter. When the fire dampers sensor is activated, the shutters spring closed and effectively seal the duct, slowing the spread of smoke and fire. This helps to reduce the damage to the building, preserves escape routes and provides the vital extra time needed to safely evacuate and for the emergency services to arrive.

Is fire damper testing a legal requirement?

If not regularly tested and checked, fire dampers can fail to close effectively or at all when they are needed.

As stated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, it is a legal requirement for all fire dampers to be tested at regular intervals. No more than 12 months apart, in accordance with fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings code of practice (BS:9999), fire dampers must be tested every year using a method known as ‘drop testing’.

It is the responsibility of the person who manages, owns or oversees the building to ensure that the rules of BS 9999 are followed and implemented within their premises. This includes the correct maintenance, cleaning and testing of all fire dampers.

What happens during fire damper testing?

During a visit from a professional fire damper testing company, here is what you can expect to happen during a typical testing and maintenance appointment:

An inventory of all the buildings fire dampers and where they are located is made
An individual inspection of all fire dampers is carried out looking for signs of damage, corrosion and obstructions
Each fire damper is activated one by one and physically ‘dropped’ to check their effectiveness
All the channels and runners are thoroughly cleaned
The engineer will give advice and guidance on any findings such as damaged parts or faulty dampers that need to be repaired or replaced
All fire dampers are reset
A report is produced and sent to you detailing everything including locations of dampers, maintenance carried out, repairs and replacements that are required. If there were any cases of failures, then there will also be detailed exception reports with recommendations.
The report will include photographic evidence of the fire damper testing

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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