Part of: Specialist Fire Solutions
Fire and smoke dampers are one of the most frequently deficient passive fire protection elements in UK buildings: tested once at commissioning and then forgotten.
The Building Safety Act has changed that. PTSG Fire Solutions tests, inspects and certifies fire and smoke dampers with directly employed engineers and a compliance record that protects you when the regulator asks.
What is fire and smoke damper testing?
Fire and smoke dampers are installed in ductwork where it passes through fire-rated walls, floors and ceilings. In a fire, they close automatically to prevent fire and smoke from travelling through the ventilation system and compromising the compartmentation of the building.
Under BS EN 15650 and the guidance in TR19, fire and smoke dampers must be inspected and tested at regular intervals, typically annually, to confirm that each damper closes fully and operates correctly. This requires physical access to each damper, which typically means opening ceiling or duct access panels. It is operationally disruptive but non-negotiable: an untested damper that fails to close in a fire can allow smoke to reach areas of the building that should have been protected.
Benefits of Fire and Smoke Damper Testing with PTSG
- Full inspection and operational test of every damper on a defined programme
- Compliant with BS EN 15650, TR19 and Building Safety Act requirements
- BAFE registered engineers with specialist ductwork and passive fire expertise
- Remedial works, including failed damper replacement and ductwork reinstatement, from the same team
- Detailed test schedule recording the pass/fail status of every damper
- All records on the PTSG compliance platform, essential evidence for Building Safety Act compliance
- Integration with ventilation cleaning and passive fire compartmentation programmes
- Real-time compliance visibility via PTSG’s Clarity platform
- Rapid response to urgent issues from directly employed engineers with nationwide coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
Current guidance under BS EN 15650 and TR19 recommends annual operational testing of fire and smoke dampers, with an initial test at commissioning. Some higher-risk environments may require more frequent testing. The Building Safety Act’s requirements for higher-risk residential buildings specify that passive fire protection must be maintained and evidenced.
A damper that fails to fully close or fails to re-open correctly is a deficiency that must be addressed. PTSG documents the failure, provides a remedial works recommendation, and can carry out repair or replacement using the same directly employed team.
Access to dampers typically requires ceiling or duct panels to be opened, creating disruption. In occupied buildings this is often avoided or deferred. The Building Safety Act has significantly raised the stakes: a building without a damper testing record now faces regulatory exposure that a brief operational disruption does not justify avoiding.
Yes. PTSG can carry out a damper location survey to identify all fire and smoke dampers in the building, create a testing schedule, and establish the baseline compliance programme from that point.
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