According to industry data, 70% of fire dampers fail initial inspections across the UK; an alarming statistic that risks occupant safety and compromises insurance policies.
To help building owners, facilities managers and contractors buck this trend and keep up to speed with evolving legal obligations relating to fire and smoke control dampers, Swift Fire Compliance has published new practical guidance relating to fire damper testing and maintenance.
Developed in response to rigorous new standards under the Building Safety Act 2022, the free to download guide, Beyond the Function Test: Fire & Smoke Damper Remedials Made Clear, highlights the hidden dangers presented by sub-standard fire damper maintenance.
Fire dampers are essential to effective fire compartmentation strategy, automatically closing to slow the spread of fire and smoke through ventilation ductwork and preserving escape routes. Regular inspection and testing are required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) at least every 12 months, but more frequent testing is recommended in high-risk environments. Post-installation neglect often leaves these systems inaccessible and non-compliant.
The new guide complements Swift Fire Compliance’s Ultimate Guide to Fire & Smoke Dampers 2025, focusing specifically on remedial works and compliance recovery in existing buildings. It sets out a clear roadmap for duty holders to help them move beyond basic function testing and towards ‘golden thread’ compliance, the requirement to keep specific and detailed records following the Grenfell tragedy.
‘Beyond the Function Test: Fire & Smoke Damper Remedials Made Clear’, provides guidance on:
- Legal compliance under RRFSO, BS 9999 and DW145
- Identification of common fire damper defects
- Clear guidance on remedial actions
- How to interpret remedial compliance reports
- Best practice to ensure duty holders remain audit ready.
Gary Nicholls, Managing Director of Swift Fire Compliance said: “The industry is continually adapting to changes in legislation; the biggest challenge lies in a lack of initial installation and maintenance records, which are now required by law.
“Fire and smoke control dampers might be hidden from view, but in the event of a fire, they are the difference between safety and catastrophe. As statutory guidance continued to evolve, responsible parties must ensure effective inspection, testing and remediation to ensure buildings are truly safe and compliant.”
