Should a fire develop, smoke and flames can rapidly travel through a building’s ductwork.
This can make a precarious situation even more dangerous, increasing the impact and damage a fire can cause. In some cases, it can spread fire to escape routes, making exiting the building difficult and potentially life threatening. Fire dampers play a vital role in helping to prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke throughout a building. They help slow a fires progression, giving the building occupants longer to evacuate and reach a place of safety. They can also limit the extent of damage caused and the subsequent repair costs.
Fire dampers are an unseen, but vital part of a fire safety infrastructure and like other equipment need to be regularly tested to ensure they remain safe. You need to be confident that should the worst happen they are not only installed, but also maintained sufficiently to perform as designed. Despite playing such a crucial role in the overall fire safety strategy of any building, it can be difficult to know if fire dampers are likely to function correctly in an emergency. The only way to be confident your fire dampers are in good working order is to have them regularly tested and maintained.