West Sussex · Fire damper testing
Fire and smoke damper testing in Highleigh
Fire damper testing in Highleigh from ventilation hygiene specialists trading since 2009. Out-of-hours visits and 24/7 emergency callout.
- Dampers clogged with dust or grease
- Fire damper items raised by an assessor
- Blades that jam part-way when released
How we handle fire damper testing in Highleigh
Wherever a duct crosses a fire-resisting wall or floor, there should be a fire damper inside it. Most are held open by a fusible link that melts at a set temperature, letting the blade drop and close the duct. A drop test shows that the damper still does that when it matters, and we record the result for every damper we test. Common call-outs are for dirty dampers that may not close and missing or out-of-date damper records, across hospitals and care homes, riser dampers and offices and schools.
Rural buildings that have been converted or extended can have ducts passing through fire-resisting walls, and the dampers in them are easily forgotten. The first visit starts by locating each damper.
Insurers, fire officers and environmental health officers all look at records. So every job comes with a written report and photos, and grease extract cleans come with a TR19® certificate issued through the BESCA Vent Hygiene Elite portal.
- Place
- Highleigh (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Records
- Photo report after each visit
- Price
- A fixed price before we start
- When we work
- When your site is closed, plus a 24/7 line
- Phone
- 0345 646 2711
- Checked
- 30 October 2026
What fire damper testing can’t fix
We’d rather tell you now than book work that will not help, so these are the things it will not cover:
- Fire-stopping gaps around the duct where it passes through the wall
- Fire risk assessments, which need a fire risk assessor
- Signing off a building’s overall fire safety
If you are not sure, just phone us on 0345 646 2711 or drop us a line and we’ll give you a straight answer before booking.
What we work on in Highleigh
- Riser dampers
- Offices and schools
- Hospitals and care homes
- Motorised smoke dampers
- Wall and floor dampers
- Fusible link fire dampers
What the work involves, part by part
Ceiling voids and risers
Where ductwork runs up through a building, there are often dampers at every floor. We work through them floor by floor so nothing is missed.
Offices and retail
Fit-outs and tenant changes are hard on dampers. Testing after a fit-out shows whether anything was disturbed.
Keeping the system healthy
A little care between visits keeps the system in better shape. We recommend:
- File every damper report where your assessor can find it
- Keep to at least yearly testing
- Act on failed dampers rather than leaving them on file
- Keep an eye out for damp around dampers
Failed dampers are set out separately, each with the fault we found, and we can quote for remedials. Once the work is done, the damper is tested again and the record updated.
The simplest way to avoid failures is to test on time, every year. A blade that’s just starting to stick is easier to deal with than a seized one.
For landlords and multi-site operators
Multi-site operators often want one contractor and one number. We work across London and the South East, so a run of sites can go into one programme and kept on a regular cycle.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must assess and reduce fire risk, which may be the employer, owner, landlord, FM or managing agent. With shared responsibility, good records help everyone.
Fixed quotes for fire damper testing in Highleigh
Your quote is based on your site. We consider:
- Any permits to work or inductions
- Whether it’s a one-off visit or part of a schedule
- How big the system is
- Working hours and out-of-hours timing
Whatever the type of site, the quote works the same way: the size of the job, access, condition and working hours. Ask for a fixed quote and we will explain each part.
Helping us quote
To speed up the quote, send us:
- Any previous report or certificate
- Photos showing the whole system and its surroundings
- The site address and the type of premises
- Where the plant sits or the system leaves the building, such as a roof or outside wall
Every quote begins with a look at the system, from your photos and details or, where that isn’t enough, a survey on site. Then we send a fixed price, before any work starts.
Towns and villages near Highleigh
More services for Highleigh
Fire damper testing around Highleigh
Highleigh is within about 2 miles of the coast. Salt air speeds up corrosion, and corrosion is one of the things that can stop a fire damper closing. About 4.8 miles north of Highleigh is St Richard's Hospital, the nearest hospital. Where patients or residents may need help to leave a building, working dampers matter all the more. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service covers Highleigh. Fire and rescue authorities enforce the Fire Safety Order in most non-domestic premises, and keeping dampers working is part of the responsible person’s duty.
A school like Sidlesham Primary School can have any dampers tested over half-term without disturbing lessons. Healthcare buildings such as St Richard's Hospital (about 4.8 miles north) rely on fire compartments, and the dampers in them need testing at least annually.
Highleigh is about 3 miles north of Selsey, in West Sussex. If you need fire damper testing in Highleigh, it’s easy to get a fixed quote: please call 0345 646 2711 or use the quote form. We work across South East England and London, including Highleigh. Our area takes in 371 places across West Sussex, from busy centres to quieter spots. Our Portsmouth page covers sites nearby (12 miles or so).
All of PO20 is covered for fire damper testing, from the main roads to the quietest streets. You’ll find streets such as Critchel's Lane, Highleigh Road and Green Lane, all of which we cover for fire damper testing. Neighbouring places we cover for fire damper testing include Almodington (1 mile west), Birdham (2 miles north-west), Somerley (2 miles west), Earnley (2 miles west) and Shipton Green (3 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Bognor Regis (5 miles east), Chichester (4 miles north), Selsey (3 miles south), Littlehampton (12 miles east), Emsworth (8 miles north-west) and Rustington (13 miles east).
Near you in Highleigh
Highleigh’s nearest station is Chichester station, about 3.9 miles north of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Chichester Castle (4.5 miles north) and Selsey Lifeboat Museum (3.5 miles south). For a walk, there’s Pilsey Island.
Staff cleaning versus specialist work
Logging matters as much as cleaning. A dated log of in-house cleaning and checks shows an inspector that the system is looked after between visits, next to our reports.
Good housekeeping makes our visits easier, not unnecessary. Regular in-house cleaning slows the build-up, but hidden parts of the system still need specialist attention.
The process
There’s very little for your team to do on the day. A contact on site lets us in at the agreed time and points us to the system, and the rest is down to us. Afterwards, the area is left tidy and the written report follows. Seeing the system in pictures first means the trip to Highleigh can be planned properly.
- We plan access and timing with you first, including any out-of-hours work.
- We open up ceilings and hatches and take off each access panel.
- We release each blade and check it shuts all the way.
- The damper is reset and its condition noted.
- Panels and tiles go back, and the results are written up.
How to prepare
- Mention any sign-in, permit or induction we need
- Mention any parking or loading restrictions
- Move anything stored near the system
Ask for a quote
Here’s what helps us quote: where the site is, what it is and its opening hours, a few pictures and any previous report or certificate. Then call 0345 646 2711 or use the quote form.
Related advice
Your questions about fire damper testing in Highleigh
Which fire authority looks after Highleigh?
Highleigh is in the area of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. BESA guidance is that every fire damper is tested at least once a year, so an officer or insurer may expect a report less than a year old.
Will you come out to Highleigh?
Yes, Highleigh is part of our area, however small the site. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the site when you book.
What’s TR19?
It’s BESA’s specification and the benchmark insurers, fire officers and EHOs look to. It covers how systems are inspected, cleaned and checked and expects a risk-based approach.
How do you deal with dampers that cannot be reached?
We record it as not tested and explain why. We can fit an access panel so it’s tested on the next visit.
Do we lose a day’s trading?
Not typically. Visits are timed for when the area is closed, such as overnight or at a weekend, so the site can carry on as normal.
What types of premises do you cover?
Commercial premises of every kind: from restaurants, pubs and hotels to schools, hospitals, care homes, offices, shops and food production sites. Work is timed around how each site runs.
How long does fire damper testing take?
A visit takes a couple of hours for a few dampers, and a day or more across a big site. Bigger sites can be phased, so give us a ring on 0345 646 2711 or send us an email for a quote.
Where does the waste go?
We take it away when we go. While we work, it’s kept contained to keep the area clean.