What does this duct smoke detector annual checklist cover?

15 items across 5 sections, covering notice and lockout, cleaning and tubes, actuation observed, fan shutdown and reset, and more. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The facilities lead attending with the fire alarm technician and the HVAC tech, recording what happens when the detector is actuated, while the technician performs the code-required test.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

Once a year, coordinated so the air handler can be run and shut down for the test and the monitoring station is on test before the detector is actuated.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

11 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 13 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a duct smoke detector annual inspection?

Detector actuated and the panel signal confirmed, but nobody watches the air handler to see the supply fan actually drop out, so a broken shutdown interface passes. Magnet test used as a proof of smoke sensing when it only proves the circuit, so a fouled sensing chamber that won't respond to real smoke still gets logged good. Fan shut down on the test but the damper interlock and the restart-after-reset never watched, so the unit doesn't come back cleanly and gets left in hand.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Duct smoke detector annual maintenance checklist

The annual duct smoke detector service is the deep pass: the measurements, cleanings and tests a quarterly round doesn't reach. This checklist keeps the full service on record with the photos that make it defensible later. Work is commonly verified against NFPA 72, NFPA 90A. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Notice and lockout

Monitoring company and owner told before the detector is tested
Monitoring company told signals are coming from this detector, owner told which units will shut down, and the owner's impairment procedure followed.
No photo
Air handler locked out before the housing is opened for cleaning
Every source feeding the unit locked and tagged by the HVAC tech. Before the powered tests: housing closed, people clear, locks removed by whoever hung them.

Cleaning and tubes

Sensing chamber cleaned by the manufacturer's method
Detector head or chamber cleaned or replaced by the fire alarm technician as the manufacturer directs, the cleaned chamber photographed before the cover goes back.
Sampling and exhaust tubes pulled, cleared and refitted
Tubes removed, inlet holes and exhaust opening cleared, refitted with the inlet holes into the airflow, and the cover and gasket reseated before the lock comes off.

Actuation observed

Differential pressure across the housing read with the fan running
Manometer across the sampling and exhaust tubes shows a pressure difference within the manufacturer's range, compared with last year's reading for this detector.
Sensitivity reading taken within the marked range
Sensitivity measured with the manufacturer's test instrument or read from the panel, inside the range marked on the detector, and recorded against the prior result.
Functional actuation witnessed at the detector
Detector actuated by the technician with the manufacturer's test method or introduced smoke, alarm LED seen latching and the correct point annunciating.
Sampling proven under airflow where the method requires it
Actuation performed with the fan running where the test method calls for it, so the detector is proven to sense in moving air and not just at a dead magnet contact.
Remote station shows alarm where one is fitted
Where a remote test station serves this detector, its indicator seen changing to alarm while the detector is in alarm, and clearing when the detector is reset.
No photo

Fan shutdown and reset

HVAC fan-shutdown interface observed on actuation
Supply or return fan seen shutting down and any associated damper moving to its safe position when the detector actuates, matching the sequence of operation.
Signal received by the central station as programmed
Central station confirms it received this detector's signal as the alarm or supervisory type the system is programmed for, before the detector is reset.
No photo
Detector and unit restored after the test
Detector reset from the remote station, panel returned to normal, air handler restarted and confirmed running in auto rather than left in hand.
Monitoring company and owner told the detector is back in service
Account taken off test with the central station confirming, the owner told the units are running again, and the impairment closed in the owner's log.
No photo

Documentation

Results recorded on the building side
Which detectors were actuated, the fan-shutdown result and any deficiency the technician calls out logged with a photo and a date on the site record.
Test tag on the housing marked with the date and result
Tag or label on the housing shows this year's test date, the technician and the result, so the quarterly round can read when the detector was last tested.

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Detector actuated and the panel signal confirmed, but nobody watches the air handler to see the supply fan actually drop out, so a broken shutdown interface passes.
Magnet test used as a proof of smoke sensing when it only proves the circuit, so a fouled sensing chamber that won't respond to real smoke still gets logged good.
Fan shut down on the test but the damper interlock and the restart-after-reset never watched, so the unit doesn't come back cleanly and gets left in hand.

Verified against

Common questions

6 answers

What does this duct smoke detector annual checklist cover?: 15 items across 5 sections, covering notice and lockout, cleaning and tubes, actuation observed, fan shutdown and reset, and more. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The facilities lead attending with the fire alarm technician and the HVAC tech, recording what happens when the detector is actuated, while the technician performs the code-required test.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: Once a year, coordinated so the air handler can be run and shut down for the test and the monitoring station is on test before the detector is actuated.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 11 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 13 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a duct smoke detector annual inspection?: Detector actuated and the panel signal confirmed, but nobody watches the air handler to see the supply fan actually drop out, so a broken shutdown interface passes. Magnet test used as a proof of smoke sensing when it only proves the circuit, so a fouled sensing chamber that won't respond to real smoke still gets logged good. Fan shut down on the test but the damper interlock and the restart-after-reset never watched, so the unit doesn't come back cleanly and gets left in hand.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

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Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 13 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.