Fire dampers are installed where ductwork penetrates compartment walls and floors. They must be drop-tested annually under BS 9999 to confirm they close correctly. In practice, most care home ventilation maintenance contracts service the fans but never test the dampers leaving a critical gap in fire compartmentation.
Why this matters
A fire damper that fails to close allows fire and smoke to spread through the ventilation system into areas the compartmentation was designed to protect. In a sleeping-risk building housing vulnerable residents, this is a life-safety failure. CQC and FRS inspectors are increasingly asking for fire damper test records.
What to do
- 1Establish how many fire dampers are installed in your building check the fire risk assessment, mechanical drawings or ask your ventilation contractor.
- 2Check your ventilation service contract if it does not specifically include fire damper drop testing, it almost certainly does not cover it.
- 3Commission a fire damper inspection and drop test from a competent contractor. Each damper must be individually tested and a pass/fail record produced with the damper location and result.
- 4Failed dampers (those that do not close fully) must be repaired or replaced before the system is returned to use.
- 5Add fire damper testing to your annual compliance calendar as a separate line item to your general ventilation service.
Primary source
BESA / BSI BS 9999:2017 Fire Safety in the Design, Management and Use of Buildings
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