Professional Fire Damper Inspection, Testing and Reporting

Fire dampers are an important part of a building's passive fire protection system. They are designed to help maintain fire separations where HVAC ductwork passes through fire-rated walls, floors, and other barriers.

Dampers can develop operational issues, become obstructed, or be affected by changes to the building. Regular inspection and testing is required to identify these problems and provide building owners with documented information about the condition of their fire dampers.

NSI TAB provides fire damper inspection and testing services for commercial, institutional, industrial, apartment and multi-unit buildings. Our service includes functional testing, identification of deficiencies, and detailed reporting to support maintenance planning and all applicable code requirements.

Looking to schedule an inspection or obtain a quote? Contact our team to discuss your building and inspection requirements.

Applicable Codes and Standards

NFPA 80 includes requirements for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire dampers. In BC, Alberta and SK applicable requirements include the National Building Code and the National Fire Code, including applicable provincial amendments and referenced standards.

Important: Inspection and testing help identify deficiencies and support compliance efforts. Identifying a deficiency does not, by itself, establish the full extent of corrective work needed to achieve compliance. Deficiencies should be evaluated against the applicable requirements and resolved as appropriate.

According to NFPA 80, Chapter 19, fire dampers require an initial inspection and operational test 1 year after installation , followed by periodic inspections.

  • First inspection: After installation (applies to new construction sites and newly installed FD)

  • Second inspection: 1 year after installation of the FD

  • Subsequent inspections: Annually (visual) and Every 4 years (operational)

  • Hospitals: Every 6 years.

Our Process

  • Step 1 — Project assessment and quotation

    We estimate the project based on available mechanical drawings, a site walkthrough, or an estimated number of fire dampers based on the building's type, size, and layout.

    Pricing is based on the number of dampers inspected, subject to a minimum service charge. The invoice may be refined if the actual number of dampers or site conditions differ from the original information.

    We charge only per inspected amount of FD.

  • Step 2 — Scheduling the inspection

    Once the quote is approved, we coordinate a suitable date and time for the site visit.

    Standard scheduling is during regular working hours. If the inspection must be completed outside regular hours, additional charges will apply.

  • Step 3 — Site access and Inspection

    The building owner or property manager must arrange full access to the building.

    No accompanying representative is required during the inspection, and alarm bypasses are not required for our standard fire damper inspection service. Any unusual site-specific requirements can be reviewed before scheduling.

  • Step 4 — Detailed inspection report

    Following the site visit, we provide a detailed report documenting the inspection and testing results for each damper, including its location, applicable test results, identified deficiencies.

    The report gives a practical reference for maintenance planning, corrective work, and future inspections.

Transparent, Project-Based Pricing

Our fire damper inspection services are priced per damper, with a minimum service charge applicable to each project. The final invoice depends on the actual number of tested fire dampers, the size and layout of the building, accessibility, and any scheduling requirements.

How We Estimate Your Project

We can prepare an estimate using one of the following approaches:

  • Mechanical drawings: Where suitable mechanical blueprints are available, we use them to estimate the number of fire dampers.

  • Site walkthrough: A walkthrough can help us assess the building layout, accessibility, and expected inspection requirements.

  • Building-based estimate: When drawings or a walkthrough are not available, we can estimate the likely number of dampers based on the building type, size, and structure.

How Long Does an Inspection Take?

Project duration depends on the number of fire dampers, the building layout, and how easily each damper can be accessed. Large or complex facility may require several days or weeks. If work must be completed outside regular working hours, additional charges will apply. Any applicable scheduling requirements and additional costs can be discussed before the project begins.

Contact us with your building address, available mechanical drawings, and preferred schedule to request a quotation.