FIRE DAMPERS | Detailed Guide to Testing

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.

The codes/standards that note these requirements are:

• NFPA 80 – Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives
• NFPA 90A – Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems
• BS 9999 – Code of Practice for Fire Safety in the Design, management, and use of Buildings

The below article will concentrate on the drop-type, actuated, and monitored type mechanical fire damper, and how they should be inspected and tested from completion of installation till the end of their working life.

If you want to read more about fire dampers, please see our article FIRE DAMPERS | Ultimate Understanding and Selection

How often should fire dampers be tested/maintained and inspected?

Fire dampers should be tested under 3 activities, with the code requirements listed below:

• 1. Operational Test
• 2. Acceptance Test
• 3. Periodic Test

	Operational Testing	Acceptance Testing	Periodic Inspection
NFPA 80 [Chapter 19]	Directly after installation	Directly after installation	1 year after Operational/Acceptance Testing then every 4 years or 6 years if a hospital
NFPA 90A [Chapter 7]	n/a	Prior to the occupation of the building	n/a
BS 9999 [Annex W]*	n/a	Directly after installation	each 1 year after Operational/Acceptance Test

*Within BS9999 its notes that dampers installed in dirty/dusty environments should be tested more regularly in line with the pollution encountered. This should be detailed by the facility managers.

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.

There are many testing tools that can help on the market, just do a google search and they will all come up.

How are fire dampers tested and inspected?

Although dampers are extremely critical in protecting people and buildings during an emergency the inspection and testing requirements are quite basic as noted in the codes and standards, but very important.

The fire damper inspection checklists/works, and testing should consist of the following sequence:

• Pre-inspection works
• Review of documentation and certificates
• Visual inspection
• Operational, acceptance, and periodic testing

each should include a fire damper inspection checklist

Inspections, checks, and testing for a fire damper that USES a FUSIBLE LINK

Pre-Inspection works

Prior to visually inspecting and testing the fire dampers, we should understand the building and its systems by completing a comprehensive desktop study.

Below are some pointers that should be considered:

Ref	Review
1.0	Obtain all drawings [layout and schematics] of the systems that will be inspected and tested
2.0	If there are no drawings or the information provided is confusing then a full onsite review should be conducted, starting with the locations of the fire barriers etc.
3.0	Review the overall layout of the building making note of locations of equipment and systems etc
4.0	Review the damper locations and quantities that will be inspected and tested
5.0	Understand if there are any systems, which the dampers are installed, would be considered hazardous and need specialized personal protective equipment [PPE], tools, or resources
6.0	Review the dampers and their design intent, are they static dampers or dynamic dampers
7.0	If the damper is designed to be static – can the fans be shut down to allow testing, not affecting other areas.
8.0	If the damper is designed to be dynamic – the fans may be switched off under NFPA 19.5.2.2.2 to test, or if site restrictions don’t allow this – check what areas of the building/systems will be impacted.
9.0	Understand the permits that will be required to conduct the works
10.0	Will works need to be conducted out of hours
11.0	Based upon the number of dampers, what is the expected time period to complete the works.

Fusible fire damper testing documents and certification

NPFA-80 [Chapter 19], requires all documentation related to proving the inspection and testing of the dampers should include the following information [as noted with ‘Yes’ bold], we have added some other information that would be useful: 

Ref	Description	Required
1.0	Location of Damper	Yes
2.0	Damper Number	Optional
3.0	Ventilation System	Optional
4.0	Static Designed Damper	Optional
5.0	Dynamic Designed Damper	Optional
6.0	Date of Inspection	Yes
7.0	Inspector Name	Yes
8.0	Inspector Company	Optional
9.0	Observations/Deficiencies [space for]	Yes
10.0	Observations/Deficiencies Close Out [space for]	Yes

All documentation should be kept and maintained for at least three test cycles and made available for review by the AHJ.

Visual Inspection

Prior to the damper testing taking place, we should conduct a visual inspection to ensure that there is access, it is installed and there are no obvious problems that can be seen.

Ref	Check	Notes
1.0	Permit applied for and granted to conduct works based upon the Pre-Inspection findings above.
2.0	PPE available.	Hard hat, glasses/goggles, long sleeve shirt, arm protector, hi-vis, gloves, boots.
3.0	Access available.	Working platform
4.0	The operative conducting the inspecting and testing of the fire dampers is qualified to do so.
5.0	All documentation and records for inspection and testing are in line with NFPA Chapter 19 requirements.
6.0	Manufacturers’ installation & maintenance instructions are available, attached, and have been reviewed.
7.0	The damper is labeled in line with NFPA 90A [Section 4.3.5.2].	Access to dampers shall be identified with letters having a minimum height of 12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.) to indicate the location of the fire protection device(s) within.
8.0	Access in line with NFPA 90A [Section 7.2.1]	An access door shall be provided that is not less than 12 in. (305 mm) square or provided with a removable duct section
9.0	Type of access provided	Note if an access door or Removable Section
10.0	Access is clear and not obstructed
11.0	Breakaway connection installed	In line with manufacturers’ requirements
12.0	Installation of fire damper in line with manufacturers’ instructions	Sleeves, mounting, types of fasteners etc.
13.0	Confirm Fire Dampers are UL555 rated
14.0	Visually confirm that the damper is in the fully open position or fully closed as required by the design	Note if open or if closed is that the design?.
15.0	Visually confirm there are no obstructions or foreign objects that will affect the operation of the damper
16.0	Check that the damper is not painted
17.0	Visually confirm that the damper is clean and free of dust/dirt	If it is not, then clean and confirm the damper has been cleaned

Operational, acceptance, and periodic testing of fire damper USING a fusible link

Once the visual inspection has been concluded the following testing should commence, with any observations being logged and noted in the observations field of the testing document.

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.

Ref	Activity	Notes
1.0	Check the status of system fans [airflow] and ensure are switched off or still running based upon permit
2.0	Remove access panel/section of ducting to gain access
3.0	Remove/activate the fusible link to drop the damper
4.0	Ensure damper drops cleanly with no intervention needed and fully 100%
5.0	If the damper has a latch holding the damper fully closed, ensure the latch operates
6.0	Inspect fusible link for wear, defects and to make sure not painted	Note if the link was replaced or not. If the link is replaced then it should be UL approved and in line with the manufacturer’s literature.
7.0	Reset the damper to the fully open position
8.0	Reinstate or replace the fusible link
9.0	Ensure that the damper is unobstructed and fully operational before completing
10.0	Complete all documentation and log and file

Inspections, checks, and testing for an Actuated Fire Damper not using a Fusible Link

The below works are related to dampers that would use an electronic or pneumatic actuator to control their opening, usually closing via a spring.

Note that in line with NFPA, Fans are not permitted to be shut down during this type of test.

Pre-Inspection works

As with the previous sections, prior to visually inspecting and testing the dampers, we need to understand the building and its systems by completing a comprehensive desktop study, some pointers below:

Ref	Review
1.0	Obtain all drawings [layout and schematics] of the systems that will be inspected and tested
2.0	If there are no drawings or the information provided is confusing then a full onsite review should be conducted, starting with the locations of the fire barriers etc.
3.0	Review the overall layout of the building making note of locations of equipment and systems etc
4.0	Review the damper locations and quantities that will be inspected and tested
5.0	Understand if there are any systems, which the dampers are installed, would be considered hazardous and need specialized personal protective equipment [PPE], tools, or resources
6.0	Ensure that during the testing the fans are able to operate [in line with NFPA 19.5.2.3.1]
7.0	Check what areas of the building/systems will be impacted by the testing.
8.0	Understand the permits that will be required to conduct the works
9.0	Will works need to be conducted out of hours
10.0	Based upon the number of dampers, what is the expected time period to complete the works.

Actuated Fire damper testing documents and certification

As with the fusible link requirements above, NPFA-80 [Chapter 19], requires all documentation related to proving the inspection and testing of the dampers should include the following information [as noted with ‘Yes’ bold], we have added some other information that would be useful.

Ref	Description	Required
1.0	Location of Damper	Yes
2.0	Damper Number	Optional
3.0	Ventilation System	Optional
4.0	Static Designed Damper	Optional
5.0	Dynamic Designed Damper	Optional
6.0	Actuator Type [pneumatic/electronic]	Optional
7.0	Date of Inspection	Yes
8.0	Inspector Name	Yes
9.0	Inspector Company	Optional
10.0	Observations/Deficiencies [space for]	Yes
11.0	Observations/Deficiencies Close Out [space for]	Yes

All documentation should be kept and maintained for at least three test cycles and made available for review by the AHJ.

Visual Inspection

Prior to the damper testing taking place, we should conduct a visual inspection to ensure that there is access, it is installed and there are no obvious problems that can be seen.

Ref	Check	Notes
1.0	Permit applied for and granted to conduct works based upon the Pre-Inspection findings above.
2.0	PPE available.	Hard hat, glasses/goggles, long sleeve shirt, arm protector, hi-vis, gloves, boots.
3.0	Access available.	Working platform
4.0	The operative conducting the inspecting and testing of the fire dampers is qualified to do so.
5.0	All documentation and records for inspection and testing in line with NFPA Chapter 19 requirements.
6.0	Manufacturers’ installation & maintenance instructions are available, attached, and have been reviewed.
7.0	The damper is labeled in line with NFPA 90A [Section 4.3.5.2].	Access to dampers shall be identified with letters having a minimum height of 12.7 mm (1⁄2 in.) to indicate the location of the fire protection device(s) within.
8.0	Access in line with NFPA 90A [Section 7.2.1]	An access door shall be provided that is not less than 12 in. (305 mm) square or provided with a removable duct section
9.0	Type of access provided	Note if an access door or Removable Section
10.0	Access is clear and not obstructed
11.0	Breakaway connection installed	In line with manufacturers’ requirements
12.0	Installation of fire damper in line with manufacturers’ instructions	Sleeves, mounting, types of fasteners etc.
13.0	Ensure the actuator is the one that was attached to the damper when purchased and is still installed as per UL and the manufacturer’s requirements.	The requirements are the damper actuator should not be replaced and should be attached to the damper at the factory.
14.0	Confirm Fire Dampers are UL555 rated
15.0	Visually confirm that the damper is in the fully open position or fully closed as required by the design	Note if open or if closed is that the design?.
16.0	Visually confirm there are no obstructions or foreign objects that will affect the operation of the damper
17.0	Check that the damper is not painted
18.0	Visually confirm that the damper is clean and free of dust/dirt	If it is not, then clean and confirm the damper has been cleaned
19.0	Visually inspect and confirm that the actuator is unobstructed, undamaged, and clean

Operational, acceptance, and periodic testing of actuated fire damper not using a fusible link

Once the visual inspection has been concluded the following testing should commence, with any observations being logged and noted in the observations field of the testing document.

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.

Ref	Activity	Notes
1.0	Check the status of system fans [airflow] and ensure are still running based upon permit
2.0	Remove access panel/section of ducting to gain access.
3.0	Command the damper to close or open via the actuator and visually confirm it closes 100%
4.0	Command the damper to restore original/design position [close or open] via the actuator and visually confirm it operates to 100%
5.0	Ensure that the damper is unobstructed and fully operational before completing
6.0	Complete all documentation and log and file

Inspections, checks, and testing of Actuated fire damper not using a fusible link that has a Remote Inspection 

The below works are related to dampers that would be remotely monitored using an electronic or pneumatic actuator to control their opening.

Note that in line with NFPA, Fans are not permitted to be shut down during this type of test.

Refer to the below in the previous section to complete the following:

• Pre-inspection works
• Review of documentation and certificates
• Visual inspection

Operational, acceptance and periodic testing of Actuated fire damper not using a fusible link that has a Remote Inspection

Once the visual inspection has been concluded the following testing should commence, with any observations being logged and noted in the observations field of the testing document.

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.

Ref	Activity	Notes
1.0	Check the status of system fans [airflow] and ensure are still running based upon permit
2.0	Remove access panel/section of ducting to gain access.
3.0	Visually confirm that the open/closed position indication lamps at the panel match the status of the damper
4.0	Command the damper to close or open visually confirm it closes 100% and that the indication panel and lights are inline
5.0	Command the damper to restore original/design position [close or open] and visually confirm it operates to 100%
6.0	Ensure that the damper is unobstructed and fully operational before completing
7.0	Complete all documentation and log and file

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