The first step towards fire damper compliance is a survey to seek and identify what you have within your premises. Surveys can be carried out using ventilation schematics and/or building plans or carrying out physical inspection of your premises (mostly both).
The purpose of a survey is to generate an asset register or an estimation of the number of fire dampers at your premises, whilst also assessing the general accessibility of the dampers.
Once the survey is carried out the information gathered will be used to generate a quotation for a full inspection and testing service.
Ventilation schematics?
Most modern commercial and industrial premises come with detailed ventilation layout schematics which illustrates all the ductwork assets such as fire and smoke dampers, and volume control dampers.
Essential operatives are very experienced in navigating around a premise using the ventilation schematics or building plans and can either work with printed copies (originals will be returned) or digital copies.
Do not have Ventilation schematics or out-of-date?
No problem… Ventilation schematics are a very useful tool to have available when carrying out a survey, however many older buildings no longer have copies of their schematics or have undergone refurbishment works or alterations which have altered the ventilation and compartment layout.
Essential operatives are very experienced in the seek and location of dampers. Either by tracking the ductwork routes from AHU source or locating fire compartments which have ductwork penetrations, our operatives can generate a portfolio of your damper assets.
How intrusive is the survey?
Assessing the general accessibility of the fire dampers throughout a premise is one of the main objectives in a survey. Fire dampers are normally tucked away in ceiling and riser voids requiring ladders and/or removal of obstructions, however our operatives will never cut into duct work or building fabric to check for fire dampers. Should a fire damper be visible or illustrated on the ventilation schematic but not accessible, they will be recording on the asset register and recommended actions detailed within the service report.
What happens after the survey is complete?
Once the survey is carried out the information gathered will be used to generate a quotation for a full inspection and testing service.