TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT


Fire dampers: the hidden asset keeping your building safe


Richard Crews, compliance and training manager from Swift Fire Compliance explains why training is now essential for the parties responsible for fire damper functionality


Training as a cornerstone of compliance


At the time of writing, Swiftclean is working with BESA to develop new Fire Damper Awareness, Maintenance & Inspection training, aligned with the updated guidance of the current DW145. The course will cover legal obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, best- practice installation methods, testing and maintenance requirements, and the importance of robust documentation, including photographic evidence and asset registers.


Find out more: https://www.swiftclean. co.uk/fire-damper-awareness-training/ BESA Academy currently offers a short online


F


ire safety in the built environment has undergone a profound shift since the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Quite rightly, legal accountability, professional competence and, ultimately, life safety are now front


and centre when it comes to essential building maintenance and compliance. Few components illustrate this change more clearly than fire and smoke control dampers; passive fire protection devices that, when installed, tested and serviced correctly, play a critical role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke through a building. In the wake of Grenfell, and with the


introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022, scrutiny of fire safety systems has intensified. Updated guidance from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), particularly the revised DW145 standard, has set a new benchmark for the installation, inspection and maintenance of fire dampers.


Fire dampers: small components, critical consequences


Fire dampers are often hidden within ductwork, yet their function is simple and vital. When exposed to heat or smoke, they close automatically to maintain compartmentation, preventing fire and smoke from spreading through ventilation systems and compromising escape routes. Designed to meet specific fire resistance periods, typically 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes, depending on the fire strategy for a particular building, they must be regularly tested and maintained to ensure they will perform effectively in an emergency. The problem, as numerous inspections reveal, is that many fire dampers in existing buildings are either incorrectly installed, inaccessible,


poorly maintained, or entirely undocumented. In some cases, dampers have been found wedged open, blocked by debris, or fixed with non-approved fasteners such as self-drilling (Tek) screws that compromise fire performance. These are not minor technical oversights. In


a real fire, a single damper failure can allow smoke and flames to spread rapidly, putting occupants and firefighters at risk. This is why regulators and enforcing authorities are now taking a far more forensic approach to fire damper compliance, and why training those responsible for their upkeep is essential.


Fire damper guidance


The revised DW145: Fire Dampers (E/EI) and Leakage – A Guide to Good Practice for the Installation, Design, Selection, Inspection & Maintenance, published by BESA, reflects the industry’s response to Grenfell and the subsequent Hackitt Review. Key changes include the requirement for photographic evidence at every stage of installation, clear verification that installations meet manufacturers’ instructions, and confirmation that penetration seals and fire stopping maintain the integrity of compartmentation. Perhaps most significantly is that DW145 stresses that dampers must be accessible for inspection, testing and maintenance; inaccessible dampers are no longer acceptable.


Alongside this, BS 9999 continues to require fire dampers to be function-tested at least annually by a competent person, with more frequent testing in higher-risk environments such as healthcare or buildings with dust-laden air, such as some manufacturing facilities. Competence, however, is no longer assumed; it must be evidenced through training and understanding of current standards.


The competence gap in existing buildings


One of the biggest challenges facing facilities managers today is the lack of a ‘golden thread’ of information in older buildings. Many sites simply do not have accurate records of where dampers are located, how they were installed, or whether they meet current requirements. DW145 addresses this through defined levels of inspection, including a Level 3 survey for existing buildings with no records. These surveys are intensive, requiring inspectors to locate dampers, verify installation against manufacturers’ instructions, assess fire stopping and penetration seals, and carry out functional testing. For facilities teams, understanding what these surveys involve - and how to interpret the resulting reports - is essential. Without training, it is difficult to challenge poor workmanship, assess risk accurately, or prioritise remedial actions.


16 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER APRIL 2026


Fire Damper Awareness training course based on the updated standard. The course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and provides essential knowledge for facilities teams.


Testing under the new DW145


DW145 defines four distinct levels of inspection and testing, covering buildings at different stages of the lifecycle.


Level 1 – Pre-handover or first inspection: Are fire dampers installed in accordance with design, specification and manufacturer instructions? At this stage, baseline records for all dampers and penetrations must be established.


Level 2 – Post-completion inspection: Carried out within 12 months of installation to check that nothing has changed since handover.


Level 3 – Existing buildings with no records: This is the category most buildings fall into if a Level 2 report hasn’t previously been carried out. An inspector must survey a building, locate the dampers, compare the installation with manufacturer instructions, verify and test fire-stopping and penetration seals.


Level 4 – Routine functional testing: Fire dampers must be tested at least annually, in accordance with BS9999; more for higher risk buildings and healthcare facilities.


A professionalised future for fire safety


The post-Grenfell era has ushered in a cultural shift across building services. Fire safety must be prioritised and the assets that support should not be viewed as ‘fit and forget’ equipment. Ensuring fire safety schemes meet their design brief is an ongoing process that demands competence, documentation and accountability. Fire damper training is now a fundamental part of that process. It supports legal compliance, reduces risk, and, most importantly, helps protect lives. As standards continue to evolve, training ensures the industry evolves with them. By investing in fire damper awareness and competence, duty holders can be confident they are not only meeting their obligations, but actively contributing to safer, more resilient buildings. Swift Fire Compliance has published new practical guidance relating to fire damper testing and maintenance. 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.


Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


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