Fire Damper Testing: Why legal compliance is now non-negotiable for UK building owners and managers

But installing fire dampers is only part of the requirement. They also need to remain accessible, maintained and capable of operating as intended.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on the responsible person to ensure relevant fire safety equipment and systems are subject to a suitable maintenance system and kept in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair. Government guidance also identifies fire dampers among the fire safety systems that may need regular inspection, testing and servicing.

What are fire dampers?

Fire dampers are fitted within ventilation systems where ductwork passes through fire-separating construction. Their purpose is to help maintain the fire resistance of that construction by restricting the spread of fire through the ductwork.

Approved Document B states that fire dampers and fire and smoke dampers should be securely fixed and positioned within the thickness of the fire-separating element. It also says that access to the damper and its actuating mechanism should be provided for inspection, testing and maintenance.

This makes accessibility an important consideration from installation through to ongoing maintenance.

What are the UK requirements for fire damper testing?

There is a legal requirement to maintain relevant fire safety measures, but it is important to distinguish that legal duty from the standards and guidance used to determine appropriate inspection and maintenance arrangements.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires relevant fire safety equipment and systems to be maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and good repair.

Government guidance explains that this is achieved through regular inspection, testing and servicing, with defects repaired as soon as practicable and testing and maintenance carried out by competent people. It specifically identifies smoke control systems, including fire dampers, among systems that may require inspection or testing.

BS 9999 provides further guidance on fire safety management and maintenance, while BESA DW145 provides industry guidance covering the installation, design, selection, inspection and maintenance of fire dampers. The current DW145 is the 2025 second edition; the 2024 edition has been withdrawn.

How often should fire dampers be tested?

Fire damper testing should form part of a suitable inspection and maintenance programme.

The appropriate interval should be determined with reference to the applicable guidance, the type and condition of the dampers, manufacturer information, the building environment and the risks associated with the system.

What does fire damper testing involve?

A fire damper inspection should establish whether the damper is present, accessible, in suitable condition and capable of operating as intended.

Depending on the damper and system, this can include:

• ✓identifying and recording the damper;
• ✓checking its condition and accessibility;
• ✓checking for damage, obstruction or contamination;
• ✓operating or activating the damper;
• ✓checking closure and reset;
• ✓checking relevant components such as fusible links or actuators;
• ✓recording defects and required remedial action;
• ✓providing photographic evidence of the inspection and test.

The exact testing procedure should reflect the type of damper, manufacturer’s requirements and applicable guidance.

What happens if a fire damper fails?

A failed or defective damper should be recorded and assessed so that appropriate remedial action can be identified.

Depending on the issue, this may involve cleaning, repair, replacement, improving access or addressing installation problems. Once remedial work has been completed, the damper may need to be tested again to confirm that it operates as intended.

Keeping a clear record of defects and remedial actions helps building owners and managers demonstrate how issues identified during inspection have been addressed.

Why access to fire dampers matters

A fire damper cannot be properly inspected or tested if it cannot be accessed.

Approved Document B specifically states that access should be provided to fire dampers and their actuating mechanisms for inspection, testing and maintenance.

Problems can arise where dampers are concealed above ceilings, where access panels have not been provided, or where drawings and asset information do not identify their locations.

Where access is inadequate, the issue needs to be identified and appropriate arrangements made so that future inspection and maintenance can be carried out.

What records should be kept?

A useful fire damper maintenance record should provide a clear picture of what has been inspected, when it was inspected and what was found.

This can include:

• ✓the location and identification of each damper;
• ✓damper type and relevant asset information;
• ✓inspection and test dates;
• ✓test findings;
• ✓photographic evidence;
• ✓details of defects;
• ✓remedial actions taken;
• ✓details of any dampers that could not be accessed or tested.

Maintaining clear records supports ongoing fire safety management and provides useful evidence for future inspections, maintenance and audits.

Professional fire damper testing and inspection

If you need to establish the condition and testing status of fire dampers across a building, enevo provides Fire Damper Testing and Inspection services.

Our existing service page covers fire damper identification, operational testing, activation and reset, fusible link checks, photographic evidence and reporting.

Find out more about enevo’s Fire Damper Testing and Inspection service.