Why dampers fail

A damper can sit above a ceiling for years without moving. Rust and dust build up on the blades. Painters coat the fusible link. Other trades run cable through the frame or box in the access door. None of it shows until someone drops the damper and it stops halfway.

What we check

• Access. A working access door within reach, as NFPA 90A requires

• Fire dampers. Remove the fusible link, confirm full closure, reset, and replace the link if it is painted, corroded or wrong-rated

• Smoke and combination dampers. Cut power or signal to the actuator, confirm full closure, confirm it reopens

• Condition. Rust, debris, paint, bent blades, broken springs and anything run through the damper frame

• Fit. Sleeve, retaining angles and breakaway joints intact

How it works

1. Find. We start from your mechanical drawings, then walk every rated wall and shaft to find what the drawings missed.

2. Test and tag. Each damper gets an ID tag on the damper and a matching label on the ceiling grid below it, so the next tech finds it in seconds.

3. Photograph and map. Before and after photos, plus each damper marked on your drawings.

4. Report. One line per damper: ID, location, type, size, link rating, result, fix, photo.

What the code requires

NFPA 80 Chapter 19 covers fire dampers. NFPA 105 Chapter 6 covers smoke dampers. Combination dampers fall under both. Each test must be recorded with the location, date, inspector and any deficiencies. In healthcare, CMS cites missed or failed damper tests under K521.

How often dampers must be tested

One year after installation, then every 4 years. Hospitals may test every 6 years. Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware also require certified testers and, in some cases, filings. See our fire damper testing schedule guide.

Who tests your dampers

In Philadelphia, the damper certification is signed by a technician who holds a Philadelphia sheet metal license and a Fire and Smoke Technician/Engineer or Smoke Control certification, working for a licensed contractor. We perform the inspection and testing and coordinate the certification and filing with a properly licensed and certified technician and contractor. New Jersey and Delaware have their own certification rules. We do not offer damper testing in New Jersey or Delaware yet. There, we help you inventory your dampers and plan your testing schedule. Our guide to Philadelphia damper certification explains which buildings are covered and how filing works.

Fixed on the same visit

We carry fusible links in common ratings, springs and fasteners. A damper that fails for a bad link usually passes before we close the ceiling. Larger failures go to damper repair and replacement, priced line by line.

What you get

• A full damper inventory, with every damper tagged and marked on your drawings

• Pass and fail results with photos for each damper

• A priced list of repairs for every failure

• A test record you can show the surveyor or the fire marshal

We test dampers on the 6-year cycle for hospital fire barrier compliance and on the 4-year cycle for senior living and nursing homes. Damper test due? Send us your drawings and get a damper inspection quote.