BESA TB/001 Technical Bulletin

TB/001 FIRE AND SMOKE DAMPER
MAINTENANCE

1 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this technical bulletin is to inform members of additional considerations when
testing and maintaining fire 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 definitive
standard for planned maintenance.

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 definition, maintenance and testing of Fire dampers. It
states that all Fire dampers should meet the criteria of fire resistance for a stated period of time and
that:
"Any grille or opening through the enclosure for ventilation purposes should be protected by a fire damper"
"All fire 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 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."
In addition; guidelines have been introduced by the department of health that encourage regular
testing of fire dampers. In Part B of Health Technical Memorandum 03-01, fire dampers are required to
be tested and maintained annually. Inspection and functional testing of smoke and fire dampers
should be specified 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 fire damper to contain the fire within the ductwork space. This ensures that the fire does
not spread through the ductwork ventilation system. The different types of fusible link are:
✔
Figure 1: Example of
✔
fusible link
✔
operated fire damper
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 modifications 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 modification, 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 specification 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.
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN
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Rigid Bar
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