Fire Rated Ductwork Installation and Fire Damper Installation/Drop Testing

Southern Ductwork Services are an accredited installer of certified Fire Rated Ductwork to BS 476 part 24 and EN1366/1/8. This includes design, installation and certification of all fire rated ductwork.

In addition to fire rated ductwork, Southern Ductwork Services can provide an essential fire safety service whereby all your fire dampers will be located to ensure they are within the fire containment area and that they can be fully accessed. They will be cleaned, drop tested and reset to ensure they are in good working order. If simple faults are found e.g. damaged linkages, these can also be replaced.

In the event of a fire, fire dampers are intended to prevent the ventilation ductwork conveying fire from one area to another. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure correct operation of the fire dampers as a faulty fire damper will not prevent the spread of fire. Southern Ductwork Services offer a full testing, maintenance and certification of fire dampers to BS 9999.

British Standards (BS) defines a fire damper as ‘A mechanical device operated automatically or manually and designed to prevent the passage of fire through an air passage’. Fire dampers are typicaly located where ductwork passes through fire compartment walls and floors. They are typically held open by a ‘fusible link’ (a device that releases a component such as a spring loaded fire damper or fire shutter at a set temperature. It is essential that these dampers are maintained at regular intervals as a fire damper that does not shut off the flow of air (and therefore heat), can have serious consequences to the spread of a fire.

Fire dampers play a crucial role in a building’s fire safety system and maintenance of these will go towards compliance with Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety ) Order 2005 which states that it is now the employer’s responsibility to maintain their fire safety systems. In addition to this, British Standard 9999 covers routine inspection and maintenance of ventilation and air conditioning ductwork and states that depending on the type and style of dampers, the maintenance for these is specified at a maximum interval of 12 months for spring operated fire dampers or 2 years for others.

Southern Ductwork Services offer a Fire Damper drop testing service for our clients. This involves a (usually) yearly visit and physical test of each fire damper itself, involving releasing of the spring and the action of the damper vanes to shut off the duct in the event of a fire. Over recent years it has become apparent that fire ducts can and do fail to operate in the event of a fire, usually due to a build up of waste matter in the damper mechanism. This drop test is due to alleviate this uncertainty as to whether the damper will operate in fire conditions. Once the drop test is carried out, a test sheet will be offered to the client, including highlighting of any failed drop tests and any recommendations for remedial action.

The Building and Engineering Services Association’s (B&ES) DW/145 Guide to Good Practice for the Installation of Fire and Smoke Dampers highlights the role of the CDM (construction, design and management) coordinator (as required by the 2007 CDM regulations) and the principal contractor, who have key roles in the planning and management required to assure a coherent and compliant installation. The CDM coordinator will clearly identify specific responsibilities for appropriately competent members of the team, which may include, for example, project manager, building control, fire consultant, damper manufacturer and installation contractor.

 

With regards to successful damper installation, the principal criteria are:

  • Installation should meet design specification;
  • Dampers must be installed in accordance with tested methods:
  • Dampers should be fixed either directly in, or immediately adjacent to, the fire barrier and must be supported independently of the duct work.

Southern Ductwork Services install fire dampers and smoke shields as part of our everyday business so are very knowledgeable on both.

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    SDS have worked with Hanover on a number of high profile projects. On each project their approach has been of a professional manor, well planned and resourced.

    Hanover Building Services

    If we can assist any further please contact us on 01252 313658