How Often Should Fire & Smoke Dampers Be Tested?

Diarise Your Damper Testing Now!

Fire and smoke dampers are essential parts of a building’s fire protection system. They prevent the spread of fire and smoke through ductwork, but only if they are regularly inspected and maintained. Here’s what UK building owners and managers need to know.

Why Regular Testing Matters

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must ensure all fire safety systems are kept in efficient working order. Over time, dampers can become blocked with dust, corroded, or damaged, which may stop them from closing properly during a fire. Regular testing ensures they function as designed and keeps your building legally compliant.

What the Standards Say

The primary British Standard for damper maintenance is BS 9999 (2017). It recommends:

• All fire dampers should be tested at least once every 12 months.
• Spring-operated fire dampers must undergo an annual ‘drop test.’
• In dusty or contaminated environments — kitchens, workshops, heavy plant areas — more frequent testing may be needed.

Healthcare premises following HTM 03-01 guidance also require annual testing, often with additional checks due to the critical nature of the systems.

In the UK, annual testing of dampers is mandatory, unlike in some other countries where testing may be done at 4–6-year intervals. This annual requirement is specified in British Standard 9999 (2017) and is reinforced by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Building Safety Act 2022.

Why Annual Testing is the Minimum

While annual testing meets the baseline standard, buildings with high fire risk, high occupancy, or poor air quality should consider shorter intervals. A risk-based approach ensures the system always performs as required.

How Swift Fire Compliance Can Help

Swift Fire Compliance provides:

• Full fire and smoke damper asset surveys
• Annual or risk-based testing regimes
• Cleaning, maintenance, and access door installation
• Compliant reporting and follow-up remedial works

Keeping your dampers in good working order isn’t just a compliance checkbox – it’s a key part of protecting lives and property.

Download our ultimate fire damper guide for all the information you need in one convenient download.