New Opportunity: Codes Require Fire and Smoke Damper Inspections

Fire and smoke damper maintenance requirements are creating some work opportunities for SMACNA contractors. SMACNA’s labour/management market focused group, the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI), has been working to help members seize that opening.

To date, 43 states have adopted the International Fire Code that requires fire and smoke dampers to be maintained according to NFPA 80 and 105 standards. According to these standards, dampers shall be tested and inspected one year after installation and then every four years thereafter. (Hospital dampers require inspections every six years).

Currently, other than in hospitals, there are very few building owners or managers inspecting dampers because very few code officers require it as even they do not know it needs to be done.

NEMI has been working to remedy this situation. The group is educating code officials so that they ask for damper inspection forms when they check the alarm, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers. NEMI is also looking into educating the risk management personnel at insurance companies.

Following is an overview of the sheet metal industry’s HVAC Fire Life Safety program. Keep in mind: the International Training Institute (ITI) does the training, ICB is responsible for certifications, and NEMI trains supervisors, only.

Testing

There are two levels of testing: Level One is for fire and smoke damper testing. Any sheet metal contractor or member who has installed duct work would be qualified to become a certified technician, supervisor, or contractor. Level Two is for testing smoke control systems. This area requires more knowledge of HVAC systems and controls.

Certification

Level One and Two each have a certification for technician, supervisor, and contractor. To be eligible technicians only need to be in good standing, supervisors need to be working for a contributing contractor, and contractors need to employ a certified tech and supervisor and supply three references and three jobs performed in HVAC FLS.

The jobs could include installing fire or smoke dampers. For more information, visit ICBcertified.org.

The certification is based on NFPA 80 (Standard for Fire Doors and other Opening Protectives) and NFPA 105 (Standard for the Installation of Smoke Door Assemblies and other Opening Protectives).