Operational testing should involve the following according to NFPA 80:
- All tests shall be completed in a safe manner by personnel wearing personal protective equipment.
- The fusible link shall be removed or activated with the damper in the fully open position
- Where the damper is designed with a latch to hold the damper in the fully closed position, the operation of the latch shall be confirmed.
Full Answer
How is a fire damper tested?
To test if a fire damper is working efficiently, one of the team will release the fire damper manually to ensure it closes fully. In cases of fire the high heat should release the fusible link and close the fire damper to prevent the fire spreading.
How often do fire dampers need to be tested?
every 4 yearsNFPA 105(10), Sec. 6.5. 2 requires that each damper be tested and inspected 1 year after installation and that the test and inspection frequency then be every 4 years, except for hospitals, where the frequency is allowed to be every 6 years.
Which test generally performs after installation of fire damper?
operational testFirst, an operational test must be completed after the installation of the fire damper is complete.
How do you reset a fire damper?
The damper automatically resets if nuisance alarms occur and the system is reset. , the damper can be reopened by pressing the reset button located on the damper assembly. When temperatures in excess of 165°F/74°C (212°F/100°C or 285°F/ 141°C optional) are detected, the damper will close and lock.
Who can test a fire damper?
competent personAccording to British Standard 9999:2017, all fire dampers need to be tested after installation by a competent person and then annually moving forward. Dampers in hospitals and high-risk facilities, particularly spring operated fire dampers should be tested more frequently.
Is fire damper testing a legal requirement?
BS 9999 requires that all dampers, regardless of type, specification or operation method are tested annually as a minimum. There are a few keys elements to testing, which can be summarised as: Identification – finding the location of dampers in your building.
Do fire dampers require servicing?
Damper maintenance regulations It states that all fire dampers should meet the criteria of fire resistance for a stated period and that: 'All fire dampers should be tested by a competent person at regular intervals not exceeding one year, and to be repaired or replaced immediately if found to be faulty.
What is fire damper drop test?
A drop test is the second part. This requires manually releasing the damper so that the curtain or shutter can fall and seal off the duct. The tester will examine the mechanism to make sure it is in good condition and works properly.
What is damper testing machine?
This is a computerized Servo Hydraulic Testing Machine designed to test different types of dampers and shock absorbers used in automobiles and railway rolling stock. The machine enables the user to determine the force vs. displacement and force vs Velocity characteristics of the dampers.
How do I know if my damper is not working?
Put the damper into an open position and check the registers once again to see if the airflow starts. If the damper is closed and you are feeling low airflow, or none at all, it is most likely a bad damper. For the automatic control damper, turn your HVAC system on. Check for airflow in the registers.
How do I know if my fire damper is open or closed?
Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. If you feel a draft coming down the chimney, it is a good indicator that the damper is open. If you don't feel any cold air coming down the chimney, it means that the damper is closed.
What activates a fire damper?
In general a fire damper works when heat from a fire causes the normal temperature of a room to rise to approximately 165 degrees Fahrenheit i.e. it is designed to close automatically on the detection of heat. The fusible link which is attached to the damper melts causing the dampers' door to close.
Do fire dampers need maintenance?
Check that the damper is capable of operating from fully open to fully closed. *Where significant numbers of dampers are corroded or unable to close, all dampers should be inspected within the next 12 month period.
How long do fire dampers last?
Maintenance obligations Most fire ducts must be inspected at least every 12 months and not exceeding 2 years and that any faulty fire dampers are repaired or replaced immediately upon discovery.
How do you maintain a fire damper?
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What is fire damper maintenance?
Damper maintenance regulations It states that all fire dampers should meet the criteria of fire resistance for a stated period and that: 'All fire dampers should be tested by a competent person at regular intervals not exceeding one year, and to be repaired or replaced immediately if found to be faulty.
Who can test the fire dampers?
NFPA 80 [Section 19.4.1] – notes that fire damper inspection and testing should be completed by a person who is qualified with knowledge and who understands the operation and design of the systems being worked upon.
What Fire damper testing tools can we use?
The usual tools that are used to drop test and reset dampers are our hands, however, this has its risks, and sometimes it’s just hard work.
How often should fire dampers be tested/maintained and inspected?
Fire dampers should be tested under 3 activities, with the code requirements listed below:
What tools are used to reset dampers?
The usual tools that are used to drop test and reset dampers are our hands, however, this has its risks, and sometimes it’s just hard work.
When inspecting and/or testing a damper is noted, should remedial works be completed?
If during the inspecting and/or testing a non-compliant damper is noted, then remedial works should be completed immediately and all visual inspections and physical testing repeated and documented.
How many activities are required to test fire dampers?
Fire dampers should be tested under 3 activities, with the code requirements listed below:
When should fire dampers be inspected?
Fire codes and standards require that fire dampers are tested, maintained, and inspected with documentation at regular intervals, after installation, and throughout their intended life, to ensure that they operate correctly and as intended when needed.
How to check a fire damper?
Always consult a professional to conduct your HVAC inspection. When your inspector arrives to test your system, there are essential items they will test, including: 1 Locate and operate every fire damper in your building by removing and resetting the link that ensures each damper will close entirely in the event of a fire. 2 Make a note of the locations of each damper on a map for accuracy. 3 The actuator will manually activate all smoke dampers to ensure it closes completely.
How long does a fire damper need to be tested?
However, following installation, a fire damper must be tested after one year, regardless of the industry or building type. ...
How often should a fire damper be inspected?
This follow-up inspection ensures the proper functioning of the fire damper. Once your one-year review is successful, your fire dampers will typically follow a routine testing schedule of once every four years for a non-healthcare facility. Hospitals require routine inspections once every six years.
What does the actuator do with smoke dampers?
The actuator will manually activate all smoke dampers to ensure it closes completely.
What is a pass or fail damper?
The damper’s pass or fail status. A detailed explanation of why any damper has received a failed status. Many companies will provide you with their before and after photos of each damper, inspection summary, and additional notes or recommendations.
What is a fire damper?
A fire damper is a type of passive fire protection product in a building’s air conditioning, heating, and ventilation (HVAC) ductwork. Preventative fire protection products, such as fire dampers, limit the amount of damage a fire may potentially cause a building. These products are typically hidden within walls, floors, and ceilings, ...
Do you need to discuss fire codes before occupying a building?
If your installation is for a brand-new building, it’s vital to discuss applicable local and state fire codes with your contractor or government officials before occupying your building. Building codes may vary from state to state and sometimes across municipalities, so be thorough to avoid any delays in your building passing its overall occupancy inspection.
What is a fire damper drop test?
They are typically held open by a ‘fusible link’, which BS 9999:2017 defines as a ‘device that releases a component such as a fire damper or fire shutter at a set temperature’.
How often should fire dampers be tested?
Spring-operated fire dampers should be tested annually and fire dampers situated in dust-laden and similar atmospheres should be tested much more frequently, at periods suited to the degree of pollution’. Dampers in hospitals or high-risk environments will require more frequent testing.
When met by high heat, a fusible link will release and close the fire damper?
When met by high heat, a fusible link will release and close the fire damper. The fusible link can also be released manually, for testing purposes. Our experts will manually release the fire damper and visually check the integrity of the mechanism. All fire dampers should close fully on release – it is the integrity of the closure that prevents the spread of smoke and fire in an emergency situation.
Do fire dampers prevent fires?
All fire safety systems must be regularly and professionally maintained to ensure the safety of building occupants – a faulty fire damper will not prevent the spread of fire. With the enactment of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is now the employer’s responsibility to maintain their fire safety systems.
Can a fire damper be cleaned?
As your ventilation system is used it will accumulate dust and debris, which could prevent the fire damper from operating. Our team will clean your fire damper as part of the testing service. If our specialists find a high build-up of dust or debris within any ductwork area, we will report back with photographic evidence.
When do dampers need to be tested?
Multiple standards define testing requirements. All dampers must be tested after installation, and then one year after installation or at the commissioning under normal operating conditions prior to occupancy. Operational testing normally involves removing or melting the fusible link and letting the damper close.
Where are fire dampers installed?
First, most fire dampers are installed in areas of the building that are not easily accessible. Instead, they are often installed in penetrations of fire-rated walls and floors , as required by the building code. Access to the damper is normally through a small access door. Second, the design of fire dampers can make them extremely difficult ...
What is a wireless damper inspection system?
One option is a wireless damper inspector that uses radio frequency to cycle actuators of all life safety motorized dampers , especially those that are installed in hard-to-reach or inaccessible locations. The system satisfies NFPA requirements for both initial and periodic testing of life safety dampers.
What is the NFPA 105?
The following resources offer more specific information about testing: • NFPA 105, which is the standard that prescribes the minimum requirements for smoke door assemblies and smoke dampers used as a means to restrict the flow of smoke through openings to provide safety to life and protection of property.
Why use a motorized fire damper?
Because it can be more easily maintained compared to a standard fire damper, a motorized fire or fire smoke damper contributes to maintenance and insurance savings. All motorized dampers are dynamic rated and may be used in place of any static or dynamic curtain blade fire damper. Dynamic, multiple blade fire dampers provide another solution to ...
What is a dynamic curtain blade damper?
Dynamic, multiple blade fire dampers provide another solution to the access and maintenance issues posed by dynamic curtain blade dampers. Multiple blade fire dampers are easy to test and rest, because the blades can be operated and held open via a hand lever or pair of pliers while the fuse link is replaced.
Is a static fire damper UL tested?
Static fire dampers, for example, are UL-tested but have not been proven to close against system air pressure and velocity. On the other hand, dynamic fire dampers are UL-tested and proven to close against system air pressure and velocity.
What is the temperature of a fire damper?
Both styles are manufactured using either galvanized or stainless steel, and both utilize a fusible link to hold the damper blades open until it reaches an elevated temperature (minimum of 165°F).
How many times does a damper need to be tested?
The damper is tested to demonstrate complete closure against the prescribed airflow three times at ambient air conditions. It is then tested a fourth time with the air heated such that the damper’s fusible link melts and causes the damper to close.
What are the different types of fire dampers?
There are two types of UL 555 rated fire dampers: 1 Static rated fire dampers have no airflow closure rating. These can only be applied in HVAC systems designed to shut down automatically in the event of a fire. 2 Dynamic rated fire dampers close while the HVAC system is running, and should be selected to operate against the airflow conditions seen in the application. These carry an airflow velocity rating (fpm) and a pressure differential rating (in. wg).
How does a multiblade fire damper work?
A multi-blade style fire damper (Figure 3) uses individual blades, spaced apart and connected with a common linkage allowing the blades to rotate open or close in unison. The linkage connects to a spring-wound shaft held open with the fusible link. When the link separates at elevated temperatures, the shaft spring engages, forcing the damper blades to close. A multi-blade style fire damper also offers an advantage with its ability to adjust the position of the blades manually and perform the same function as a balancing damper in an HVAC system.
How long does a fire damper need to be exposed to salt spray?
All fire dampers must pass a salt-spray exposure test. In this test, a damper sample is exposed to salt spray in a test chamber for 120 hours.
How many times can a fire damper be closed?
To pass this test, a damper sample must be opened manually and allowed to close completely 250 times , simulating more usage than the product would see over the lifecycle of the building.
What is UL 555 dynamic damper?
Dynamic-rated products require UL 555 dynamic closure testing to develop ratings for velocity and pressure. The dynamic closure test evaluates the ability of a fire damper to close under airflow. Airflow conditions for this test are established by setting the velocity with the damper blades in the fully open position, and setting the pressure with the damper blades fully closed. The damper is then set to the open position and airflow is applied. The damper is tested to demonstrate complete closure against the prescribed airflow three times at ambient air conditions. It is then tested a fourth time with the air heated such that the damper’s fusible link melts and causes the damper to close.
What is a drop test?
A drop test is the second part. This requires manually releasing the damper so that the curtain or shutter can fall and seal off the duct. The tester will examine the mechanism to make sure it is in good condition and works properly. The damper should close quickly to completely seal the opening and stop fire and smoke from escaping from the compartment.
What is Trident Fire Protection?
Trident Fire Protection & Testing has a professional team that can help every client to improve safety within their properties. We have the best credentials and a wealth of experience. More importantly, we monitor rules and regulations to make sure we get everything right.
Can you contact us for a fire damper test?
If you want to arrange fire damper tests, you can contact us. We work in all kinds of sectors and always deliver the same excellent service. This can also include advice about how to improve fire safety and performance.
Do dampers need to be closed?
Dampers are a crucial part of compartmentation and fire control systems. However, they can remain in place for a long time without ever needing to close. As a result, how can you be confident that they will work when you need them? The solution is to do regular fire damper tests. That way, you can ensure there are no issues.
