Duct Doctor · London and the South East
Fire damper drop testing
Fire dampers drop tested, reset and recorded, and smoke dampers tested through their controls, so you can show each one closes when it should.
- Fire dampers that haven’t been tested for over a year
- Dampers that stick or won’t close fully
- Dampers with no access panel to reach them
What fire damper testing involves
Fire dampers sit where ductwork passes through a fire-resisting wall or floor. Most are held open by a fusible link that melts at a set temperature, letting the blade drop and close the duct so fire can’t travel through it. A damper that sticks open lets fire and smoke straight past the wall that was built to stop them. BESA’s guidance is that all fire dampers should be tested by a competent person when they’re installed and at least annually after that, and spring-operated dampers need testing every year as a minimum (BESA: fire damper testing requirements). We drop test each damper by releasing the blade, check it closes fully, then reset it and record the result. Dust, grease and corrosion are the usual reasons a damper fails, along with damaged links and missing access. Our fire damper testing guide explains more.
We cover London and the South East, and have done since 2009. We’re a BESCA Vent Hygiene Elite member, cleaning to BESA TR19® Grease, we hold CHAS, SafeContractor and ISO 9001, and we’re fully insured.
Problems we put right
- Fire dampers that haven’t been tested for over a year
- Dampers that stick or won’t close fully
- Dampers with no access panel to reach them
- No record of where the dampers are
- Dust, grease or corrosion on blades and links
What we work on
- Fusible link fire dampers
- Motorised smoke dampers
- Wall and floor dampers
- Riser dampers
- Offices and schools
- Hospitals and care homes
How it works
- We work from your damper schedule or drawings, or locate the dampers on site if there isn’t one.
- Each damper is reached through its access panel and checked for dust, grease, corrosion and damage.
- The fusible link is released and we check that the blade drops and closes the duct fully.
- The damper is reset, the link is checked and the access panel is closed.
- Every damper is recorded with its location, result and photos, and any failures are listed for repair.
At least once a year
BESA says all fire dampers should be tested on completion of installation and at least annually after that, with spring-operated dampers tested every year as a minimum. Some buildings choose to test more often. The Responsible Person, whether that’s the employer, owner, landlord, facilities manager or managing agent, has a legal duty to keep fire safety systems, including dampers, in working order.
When a damper fails
A damper can fail because it’s seized, corroded, coated in dust or grease, has a damaged link or can’t be reached. We record the reason and photograph it. Many faults can be put right by cleaning and resetting. Others need parts or a new damper, and our fire damper repairs service covers that. A failed damper should be put right promptly, and retested once the work is done.
Smoke dampers
Smoke dampers are usually motorised and are tested through their controls rather than by releasing a link. We test them to prove they open and close as they should, and record the result alongside your fire dampers. If a smoke damper doesn’t respond, the fault may be in the damper, its actuator or the control signal, and we note what we found. Our smoke damper testing page has the detail.
Why it’s worth doing now
A fire damper only matters on the day there’s a fire, and that is the worst day to find out it has seized. Dampers sit hidden in ceilings and risers for years, collecting dust, grease and condensation. BESA says they should be tested at least once a year, and the Responsible Person has a legal duty to keep them working. Fire risk assessors, insurers and building managers often ask to see the records. If your last test was more than a year ago, or there’s no record at all, now is the time.
What affects the quote
We don’t publish set prices, because no two systems are the same. Send us a few details and photos, or book a survey, and we’ll give you a fixed price before any work starts. The main things that change it are:
- The size of the system: number of canopies, length of ductwork, risers and fans
- How much grease or dirt has built up since the last clean
- Access: roof-level fans, ceiling voids, risers and how many access panels there are
- When the work can happen: overnight, weekends or school holidays
- Whether extras are needed, such as new access panels, filter exchange or damper testing
- How many sites you want covered on one schedule
What a good quote includes
- A survey or clear photos before the price is given
- Exactly which parts of the system will be cleaned or tested
- How areas that can't be reached will be recorded
- A certificate or written report with before-and-after photos
- Proof of insurance and accreditations you can check
- The recommended date for the next visit
Afterwards
You get a record of every damper: where it is, whether it passed, and photos. Any failures are listed with the reason, so you can decide on repairs. Keep the records with your fire safety log and book the next test within the year. If access panels were missing or blocked, get them sorted before the next visit so every damper can be tested.
Fire damper drop testing: common questions
How often do fire dampers need testing?
BESA’s guidance is on completion of installation and at least annually after that. Spring-operated dampers need testing every year as a minimum.
Who is responsible for fire damper testing?
The Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, usually the employer, owner, landlord, facilities manager or managing agent. They must make sure fire safety systems, including dampers, are maintained.
What happens if a damper fails the test?
We record the reason and photograph it. Some faults are fixed by cleaning and resetting; others need repair or replacement, which we can quote for.
We don’t know where all our dampers are. Can you help?
Yes. We can locate dampers on site and record each one, so you have a schedule for future tests. Any we can’t reach are listed with the reason.
Will testing disrupt the building?
Testing is quick for each damper, but we need access to ceilings and risers. We can work early, late or at weekends to keep disruption down.
Do you test smoke dampers too?
Yes. Smoke dampers are tested through their controls to prove they open and close.
Do you give a fixed price before you start?
Yes. Send a few details and photos, or book a survey, and we’ll give you a fixed quote, usually within one working day.
Do you work out of hours?
Yes. We work evenings, overnight and at weekends so your kitchen or building doesn’t lose a day, and there’s a 24/7 line for emergencies.
Page updated 30 October 2026
Near you
We cover London and the South East. Find fire damper testing in your town:
- London
- Brighton
- Southampton
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Oxford
- Milton Keynes
- Guildford
- Chelmsford
- Maidstone
- Woking
- Crawley
- Croydon
- St Albans
- Canterbury
- Basingstoke
- Slough
- High Wycombe