How Often Should Fire Dampers Be Tested in the UK?

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How Often Should Fire Dampers Be Tested in the UK?

How-Often-Should-Fire-Dampers-Be-Tested-in-the-UK-

Staying compliant with UK fire regulations means knowing your obligations — and that includes how often fire dampers must be tested and maintained. At Damper Safe Ltd, we’re regularly asked: “How often should fire dampers be tested in the UK?”

In this guide, we answer that question and outline a clear fire damper maintenance and testing schedule for different environments, based on UK legislation and best practice guidance.

What UK Law Says About Fire Damper Testing

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all employers and persons responsible for a non-domestic premises must ensure that fire safety equipment is maintained in an efficient state.

This includes fire and smoke dampers, which must be:

Accessible
Functional
Inspected and tested on a routine schedule

Guidance on how to do this is provided by:

BS 9999: Code of practice for fire safety in building management
BS EN 1366-2: European standard on fire resistance of dampers
BESA DW145: UK-specific guidance on damper installation and maintenance

General Testing Frequency (BS 9999)

According to BS 9999 and DW145:

All fire dampers must be tested and inspected at least once a year
Dampers in high-risk environments (e.g., healthcare, catering) may need more frequent testing
All tests must include a visual inspection, manual drop test, and functionality reset

See our Fire Damper Testing page for service options

Fire Damper Testing Schedules by Sector

Healthcare Facilities (NHS/Private)

Governed by HTM 03-01 Part B
Dampers in ventilation systems must be tested every 12 months minimum
Record-keeping is essential for CQC compliance
Access panels and infection control must be accounted for

Schools, Colleges and Universities

Annual testing is the baseline, with work typically conducted outside of term time
Dampers in labs, kitchens, or plant rooms may require 6-month inspections
Local authority audits often require evidence of servicing

Office Buildings and Commercial Properties

Every 12 months per BS 9999
Shared systems must be tested per floor or tenant
Landlords or managing agents are typically responsible

Restaurants, Hospitality and Kitchens

More frequent testing may be required due to grease and particulates
Bi-annual or quarterly inspections recommended for extraction systems
Fire-rated dampers should be paired with compliant duct cleaning

What Happens During a Fire Damper Test?

At Damper Safe Ltd, each test includes:

Visual inspection of damper blade and housing
Manual or motorised activation
Clean down and lubrication (if required)
Reset and reinstallation
Photograph evidence and digital compliance report

You’ll receive a full compliance certificate for your records and insurers.

Signs You Need Immediate Maintenance

Stiff or jammed damper blades
No access to test the unit
Missing asset records
Dust, rust, or grease buildup
Failed drop test

Even if your damper seems to work visually, a proper drop test is essential to confirm function under real conditions.

Get Your Testing Schedule Right with Damper Safe

We help facilities across London, South East and Kent stay compliant through planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules tailored to their building type, risk level, and industry regulations.

Benefits include:

Multi-site testing coordination
Compliance-ready digital reporting
Access upgrades and remedial works
No disruption testing (even out of hours)

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