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Fire damper drop test record
An inspection and drop test record for fire and smoke dampers. Record the damper schedule, then each damper: scan its label, record its location and type, whether there is access, the visual check, the drop test, reset and fusible link replacement, the result, any fault and before and after photos. The form counts dampers passed, failed and with no access, warns when any have failed, and records who will arrange the remedial work and when the next test is due. Every question is listed below, and you can fill the live form in on this page.
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How often should fire dampers be tested?
BESA's guidance on BS 9999 is that fire dampers should be tested by a competent person on completion of installation and at least annually after that, more often in dusty or polluted air. Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires fire safety equipment to be maintained in efficient working order and in good repair. A drop test checks the damper closes fully, and it is then reset.
Last updated . Facts checked by the SiteSurvey team on 17 October 2026 against BESA: fire damper testing requirements in the UK, article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (maintenance) and NHS England: HTM 03-01 part B, specialised ventilation for healthcare buildings.
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Every question in the fire damper drop test template
A fire damper drop test record: each damper with its location, type and access, visual check, drop test, reset, result and photos, with failed dampers counted and the annual testing guidance. 3 sections and 45 questions. Follow-up questions and guidance appear only when an answer calls for them, so the person on site never sees the ones that do not apply.
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This is a starting point, not a fixed form. Once it is in your SiteSurvey account you can reword any question, add or remove questions, sections and answer options, and add your own logo, so it fits the way your team works and the jobs you do.
Details you only enter once
Add this form to a project in SiteSurvey and it fills in what the project already knows, so nobody on site retypes it and every form on the job uses the same names. Anything filled in can still be changed.
- Project: the project name
- Client: the project's customer
- Site: the site, when the form is opened for a space or a product
- Site address: the site address, from the space or the project
Visit
- ProjectShort answerFills in from the project name
- ClientShort answerFills in from the project's customer
- Site*Short answerFills in from the site, when the form is opened for a space or a product
- Site addressShort answerFills in from the site address, from the space or the project
- Test date*Date
- TimeTime
- Engineer*Short answer
- Damper schedule or drawing referenceShort answer
- Date of the last testDate
From the previous test record, if there is one.
- Days since the last testWorked out by the formShown when “Date of the last test” is answered and “Test date” is answered
- CheckMore than 12 months since the last test. BESA's guidance on BS 9999 is to test at least annually.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- GuidanceBESA guidance on BS 9999: fire dampers should be tested by a competent person on completion of installation and at least annually after that, more often in dusty or polluted air. The Fire Safety Order (article 17) requires fire safety equipment to be maintained in efficient working order and in good repair.
Dampers
- Floors and areasRepeat for each entry. Each one asks:
- Floor or area*Short answer
For example Level 2, plant room or roof.
- Dampers on this floorRepeat for each damper. Each one asks:
- Damper reference*Short answer
- Scan the damper labelScan a label: damper id, serial number
Optional. Scan the label or tag to capture its numbers.
- LocationShort answer
- TypeChoose one
- Fusible link (spring)
- Motorised fire damper
- Fire and smoke damper
- Access panel available?Yes or No
- Visual check (clean, no corrosion, no obstruction)Choose one
- OK
- Defect
Shown when “Access panel available?” is Yes - Drop test: closed fullyChoose one
- Pass
- Fail
Shown when “Access panel available?” is Yes - Reset and left open?Yes or NoShown when “Access panel available?” is Yes
- Fusible link replaced with a correctly rated link?Yes or NoShown when “Access panel available?” is Yes and “Type” is “Fusible link (spring)”
- Result*Choose one
- Pass
- Fail
- No access
- Fault and actionShort answerShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Photos (before and after the test)Photos
- This floor: dampersWorked out by the form
- PassedWorked out by the form
- FailedWorked out by the form
- No accessWorked out by the form
- Dampers on the schedule visitedWorked out by the form
- Dampers passedWorked out by the form
- Dampers failedWorked out by the form
- Dampers with no accessWorked out by the form
- Dampers tested that passed (%)Worked out by the form
- Floors with a failed damperWorked out by the form
- WarningA failed damper may not close in a fire. Arrange repair or replacement and tell the responsible person.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Who will arrange the remedial work, and by when?Short answerShown only when the answers above make it relevant
- ActionsRepeat for each action. Each one asks:
- Action*Notes
- PriorityChoose one
- Urgent
- High
- Medium
- Low
- OwnerShort answer
- DueDate
- StatusChoose one
- Open
- In progress
- Completed
- Next test dueDate
- Days until the next testWorked out by the formShown when “Test date” is answered and “Next test due” is answered
- CheckCheck the date. The next date is before the date of this visit.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
Sign-off
- Responsible person or site contact nameShort answer
- Responsible person or site contact signatureSignature
- Completed by*Short answer
- SignatureSignature
See it filled in
A completed fire damper drop test report, made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit: every answer, the photos, the guidance that applied and the sign-off, ready to send as a PDF.
Fire damper drop test FAQs
What is a drop test?
For a spring-operated damper, the fusible link is released by hand to check the blades close fully and seal, then the damper is reset with a new, correctly rated link. Motorised dampers are tested by simulating a loss of power. Before and after photos are the evidence.
What if there is no access?
Record the damper as no access and what is needed, such as an access panel. The form counts these so they are not forgotten.
What happens if a damper fails?
A failed damper may not close in a fire. Arrange repair or replacement and tell the responsible person. The form warns when any damper has failed and records who will arrange the work, and by when.
Can I scan damper labels?
Yes. Scan each damper's label on the SiteSurvey app so the record matches the damper schedule.
Do healthcare buildings differ?
Yes. HTM 03-01 says all fire and smoke dampers should be tested as part of the annual verification of critical healthcare ventilation, unless local policy says otherwise.
Who uses this?
Ductwork and ventilation contractors, fire safety contractors and facilities managers.
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A smoke vent and AOV inspection: control panel and power, detector and switch activation, each vent opening fully and resetting, obstructions, faults and the reporting rules for high-rise residential buildings.
A fire stopping installation record: certification scheme, drawings, each penetration seal with its label, element, fire rating, services, product and tested detail, before and after photos, and sign-off.
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