DW145 Installation And Maintenance Of Fire Dampers: A Guide To Good Practice

BESA has published a fully revised version of its long-established industry guidance DW145 ‘Installation of Fire Dampers and Smoke Dampers’.

The publication is the latest development in the Association’s campaign to improve building safety standards in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster. It also follows the warning it issued last year that annual maintenance inspections were uncovering a significant number of incorrectly installed dampers that did not comply with manufacturers’ instructions.

What DW145 covers

DW145 covers statutory requirements for the installation, testing and maintenance of fire dampers and smoke control dampers including clients’ legal obligations to ensure their fire safety systems comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for England and Wales and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

The publication, which is now entitled: ‘DW145 – Fire Dampers (E/EI) and Leakage Guide to Good Practice for the Installation, Design and Selection, Inspection and Maintenance’, also explains the crucial role played by the penetration seal in ensuring the overall fire stopping integrity of an installation.

It also covers other critical issues including maintenance teams being able to easily find and access dampers for testing and repair, and why designers and installers should seek expert advice from damper manufacturers.

Revising this guidance was identified as a priority by the Association in the wake of the Grenfell Tower public inquiry because of the important part dampers play in overall building fire safety strategies.

BESA Academy offers a suite of accredited courses both in person and online to keep your skills sharp and certifications current:

Fire Damper Awareness Course (DW145) - In today’s heightened regulatory landscape, fire safety is paramount. The BESA Academy’s Fire and Smoke Damper Awareness Course is designed to equip professionals with essential knowledge based on the newly updated BESA DW145 standard—an industry benchmark for the installation, testing, and maintenance of fire and smoke dampers.

With a strong focus on protecting people and property, this course responds to the urgent need for technical competence and rigorous safety practices underscored by the Grenfell tragedy and the Hackitt Review. Participants will dive into the core elements of DW145, exploring everything from legal obligations under the Fire Safety Order to best practices in damper installation that ensure maximum fire-stopping integrity.

Gain clarity on critical updates, including

Key compliance standards for safety systems and fire-stopping integrity.
Guidance on installation techniques and damper placements, with insights to avoid common installation errors.
Documentation best practices, such as providing photographic evidence and asset referencing, to meet the demanding safety requirements of the new regulatory environment.

BESA DW145 Fire Damper Inspection and Maintenance Course

Besa Academy has launched an EAL‑accredited, hybrid fire damper inspection and maintenance course mapped directly to the National Occupational Standard (NOS) and the BESA DW145 industry benchmark. The BESA DW145 Fire Damper Inspection and Maintenance Course is the only EAL-accredited, competence-assessed course mapped to BESA DW145 (Guide to Good Practice) and the National Occupational Standard (NOS) BSEFSD04, designed to support industry in evidencing competence under the Building Safety Act and enabling on site access.

Who is the Fire Damper Inspection course aimed for?

Fire damper inspectors and technicians
HVAC / ductwork engineers
Ventilation and hygiene contractors
LEV engineers
Specialist maintenance providers carrying out statutory inspections

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What is SKILLcard?

SKILLcard is a BESA Group company and the industry-recognised card issuing and personnel registration scheme for people working in the mechanical sector of the building engineering services industry throughout the UK.

You can apply for a SKILLcard if you're working in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration industry, including ductwork and other specialisms associated with the building engineering services industry - such as service and facilities, domestic heating and plumbing, and refrigeration and air conditioning can apply for a SKILLcard. The scope of SKILLcard also covers those with supervisory and managerial responsibilities in the building engineering services industry& academy qualified personal.