What does this fire and smoke damper annual checklist cover?

14 items across 5 sections, covering notice and coordination, operational test, link and actuator, installation, 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 damper service tech performing the operational test at the required interval, with the ceilings opened for access.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

At the operational test interval, coordinated with the fire alarm so smoke and combination dampers can be driven from an actual signal and the HVAC shut down for the test.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

9 of the 14 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 fire and smoke damper annual inspection?

Damper 'cycled' by hand but never dropped on the link or driven from the alarm, so a spring too weak to close under airflow passes. Blades close but don't seat because duct debris or a bent blade leaves a gap, counted as closed without checking full closure. Sleeve and retaining angles wrong (oversized annular space or missing angles), so the assembly wouldn't hold the barrier's rating, never checked once the wall was closed.

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

Fire and smoke damper annual maintenance checklist

The annual fire/smoke damper 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 80, NFPA 105, manufacturer's published instructions. 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 coordination

Monitoring company and owner notified before damper testing
Monitoring company told test signals are coming, the owner told of the HVAC shutdown and zones affected, and the owner's impairment procedure followed.
No photo
Smoke damper test coordinated with the fire alarm contractor
Fire alarm contractor booked to initiate each zone's command, with the zone list, sequence and fan shutdowns agreed with the owner before testing.
No photo

Operational test

Damper cycled fully closed and reopened
Fire damper dropped by releasing the link, smoke or combination damper driven closed from the actuator or alarm signal, full closure and reopen observed.
Full closure and seating verified against airflow
Blades seat completely with no gap, spring or actuator closes them against airflow on dynamic-rated dampers, with fans off on static-rated ones, latches or catches engaging.
Smoke damper answers its own zone's alarm or BAS command
The command for this damper's zone, sent by the fire alarm contractor or the BAS, closes this damper and not a neighbor, and its end switches report closed.
No photo

Link and actuator

Fusible link condition and rating checked
Link free of paint and corrosion, rating correct for the location, reinstalled or replaced per the manufacturer after a drop test.
Actuator, springs and linkage serviced
Return spring and linkage move freely without binding, actuator drives fully and its wiring is sound on smoke and combination dampers.

Installation

Sleeve, retaining angles and duct connection inspected
Sleeve gauge and length correct, retaining angles present on both sides of the barrier, annular space and breakaway connection per the manufacturer.
Duct clear of obstructions at the damper
Duct interior at the damper free of debris, liner or dropped material that would block the blades from closing fully.

Reset and record

Every tested damper reset and left open
Fire dampers relatched on a sound link, smoke and combination dampers commanded open, and the blades seen fully open before each access door closes.
Damper test tag marked at the access door
Tag or label at the access door shows the test date and result, so the next round can see which dampers were tested.
Fire alarm reset and HVAC returned to normal
Fire alarm panel back to normal with no damper signal standing, and the air handlers shut down for the test restarted and running.
Monitoring company and owner told the dampers are back in service
Monitoring company confirms normal monitoring is restored, the owner is told, and any impairment is closed in the owner's log.
No photo
Damper schedule updated with each test result
Each damper's result, any link replaced and any failure to close or reopen entered on the damper schedule, with failures reported to the owner for repair.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Damper 'cycled' by hand but never dropped on the link or driven from the alarm, so a spring too weak to close under airflow passes.
Blades close but don't seat because duct debris or a bent blade leaves a gap, counted as closed without checking full closure.
Sleeve and retaining angles wrong (oversized annular space or missing angles), so the assembly wouldn't hold the barrier's rating, never checked once the wall was closed.

Verified against

NFPA 80 & 105

Common questions

6 answers

What does this fire and smoke damper annual checklist cover?: 14 items across 5 sections, covering notice and coordination, operational test, link and actuator, installation, 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 damper service tech performing the operational test at the required interval, with the ceilings opened for access.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: At the operational test interval, coordinated with the fire alarm so smoke and combination dampers can be driven from an actual signal and the HVAC shut down for the test.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 9 of the 14 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 fire and smoke damper annual inspection?: Damper 'cycled' by hand but never dropped on the link or driven from the alarm, so a spring too weak to close under airflow passes. Blades close but don't seat because duct debris or a bent blade leaves a gap, counted as closed without checking full closure. Sleeve and retaining angles wrong (oversized annular space or missing angles), so the assembly wouldn't hold the barrier's rating, never checked once the wall was closed.
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.