TECHNICAL
BULLETIN
1 OBJECTIVE
The objective of this technical bulletin is to inform members of additional considerations when
testing and maintaining
fi
re and smoke dampers. It should be used alongside BESA publications:
DW/145: Guide to Good Practice for the Installation of Fire and Smoke Dampers; DW/144: Sheet
Metal Ductwork; TR/19: Internal Cleanliness of Ventilation systems and SFG 20: The de
fi
nitive
standard for planned maintenance.
TB/001
Figure 1: Example of
fusible link
operated
fi
re damper
2 TECHNICAL INFORMATION
2.1 STANDARDS
British Standard 9999:2008 - Code of Practice for Fire Safety in the Design, Management & Use of
Buildings, publishes industry standards for the de
fi
nition, maintenance and testing of Fire dampers. It
states that all Fire dampers should meet the criteria of
fi
re resistance for a stated period of time and
that:
“Any grille or opening through the enclosure for ventilation purposes should be protected by a
fi
re damper”
“All
fi
re dampers should be tested by a competent person at regular intervals not exceeding two years, and to be repaired
or replaced immediately if found to be faulty. Spring-operated
fi
re dampers should be tested annually and
fi
re dampers
situated in dust-laden and similar atmospheres should be tested much more frequently, at periods suited to the
degree of pollution.”
In addition; guidelines have been introduced by the department of health that encourage regular
testing of
fi
re dampers. In Part B of Health Technical Memorandum 03-01,
fi
re dampers are required to
be tested and maintained annually. Inspection and functional testing of smoke and
fi
re dampers
should be speci
fi
ed by the manufacturer.
2.2 SPRING OPERATED FUSIBLE LINK FIRE AND SMOKE DAMPERS
Spring Operated Fusible Link Fire Dampers are designed to "Fail" at 72° C. The fusible link releases the
spring loaded
fi
re damper to contain the
fi
re within the ductwork space. This ensures that the
fi
re does
not spread through the ductwork ventilation system. The di
ff
erent types of fusible link are:
✔
Cassette Unit
✔
Rigid Bar
✔
Chain Link
If a fusible link has failed it cannot be repaired and must be reported to client.
2.3 INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND TESTING
All volume dampers are set up during commissioning and should not normally be subject to further
adjustment unless modi
fi
cations are made to the ductwork distribution system. If it is essential to
move the damper for maintenance purposes extreme care should be taken to ensure that the damper
is returned to the position as set when commissioned. In the event of a ductwork modi
fi
cation, the
system should then be re-commissioned.
Installation: To enable the Fire Dampers to be tested and reset access panels need to be installed. Access panels shall
be quick release insulated neoprene sealed panels, all manufactured and installed to BESA speci
fi
cation DW/144.
Required location of access panel, along with party responsible for provision of the panel is prescribed in Table 3 of
BESA publication TR/19.
FIRE AND SMOKE DAMPER
MAINTENANCE
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