Contain the Fire.
Pass the Inspection.
NFPA 80 and NFPA 105 compliant inspection services for fire dampers, smoke dampers, fire doors, and five-year obstruction investigations, with complete written documentation for every finding.
Damper & Door Inspection Services We Provide
Fire dampers, smoke dampers, and fire doors are the mechanical components of your building's passive fire protection system. They must be periodically tested and documented to confirm they will function as designed during an actual fire event.
Fire Damper Inspections
Fire dampers are installed in ductwork at fire-rated wall and floor penetrations to automatically close and prevent fire from traveling through the HVAC system. NFPA 80 requires them to be inspected and tested every four years in most occupancies, and every year or two in healthcare settings.
- Full damper blade and frame inspection
- Fusible link inspection and replacement
- Actuator function testing
- Frame and sleeve condition assessment
- NFPA 80 compliant test documentation
Smoke Damper Inspections
Smoke dampers close in response to a smoke detection signal rather than heat, making their inspection requirements and functional testing procedures distinct from fire dampers. NFPA 105 governs their inspection intervals and testing methods.
- Damper blade and seal inspection
- Electrical actuator testing and stroke verification
- Control system integration testing
- Smoke detector interface verification
- NFPA 105 compliant documentation
Fire Door Inspections
NFPA 80 requires annual inspection and testing of all fire door assemblies, including the door leaf, frame, hardware, and self-closing and latching mechanisms. A fire door that cannot close and latch automatically is not providing the fire separation it was designed for.
- Door leaf, frame, and hardware inspection
- Self-closing device testing and adjustment
- Latch and positive latching verification
- Gap and clearance measurement
- NFPA 80 annual inspection documentation
Five-Year Obstruction Investigations
NFPA 25 requires obstruction investigations for fire sprinkler systems every five years to check for materials that may have accumulated inside the piping and impair water flow during a fire event. We conduct these investigations and document findings in the format required for your inspection records.
- Internal pipe obstruction investigation
- Pipe flushing and condition assessment
- Water supply and backflow verification
- NFPA 25 five-year investigation documentation
- Corrective action recommendations as needed
Deficiency Documentation & Repair
When inspections reveal deficient dampers or doors, they must be repaired or replaced to restore the fire separation rating of the assembly. We document all findings, classify deficiencies by severity, and can perform repairs and replacements as part of the same engagement or a scheduled follow-up.
- Deficiency tagging and classification
- Fusible link and actuator replacement
- Fire door hardware repair and replacement
- Damper blade and frame repair
- Corrective action closeout documentation
Comprehensive Inspection Reports
Every inspection we conduct produces detailed written reports formatted to the applicable NFPA standard. Reports document each component inspected, the test method, the result, and the status of any required corrective actions, providing complete compliance documentation for your building file.
- NFPA 80 and NFPA 105 formatted reports
- Individual component test results
- Deficiency identification and prioritization
- Corrective action tracking
- AHJ and insurance submission ready
Not sure when your dampers or fire doors were last inspected? We can help you find out and get you back on track.
Why Damper & Door Inspections Cannot Be Skipped
Fire dampers and fire doors are the most commonly deferred passive fire protection inspection in commercial buildings. Here is why that matters and what it costs.
Dampers That Have Never Been Tested Since Installation
A significant number of fire and smoke dampers in commercial buildings have never been inspected since they were installed. Dampers stuck in the open position due to seized mechanisms, debris accumulation, or failed actuators will not close during a fire event, allowing flames and smoke to spread through ductwork and undermine the entire fire compartmentalization strategy of the building.
Fire Doors Propped Open or Disabled
Fire doors that are routinely propped open for convenience, have had their self-closers removed, or have accumulated enough damage to prevent proper closing and latching provide no fire separation. NFPA 80 annual inspections are designed to catch exactly these conditions before a fire event reveals them in the worst possible way.
Insurance and Liability Exposure
When a fire results in damage or injury and a subsequent investigation reveals that required damper or fire door inspections were overdue, property insurance claims can be contested and building owners may face significant liability. Documented, current inspections are one of the clearest demonstrations of due diligence in building management.
AHJ Citations and Certificate of Occupancy Issues
Fire marshals and AHJ inspectors increasingly scrutinize damper and fire door inspection records during building inspections and CO renewals. Missing or overdue inspection documentation is a common source of citations and required corrective actions that delay occupancy approval and create friction with building regulators.
Lack of Accessible Documentation from Prior Inspections
Many buildings have had damper and fire door inspections performed at some point, but the records are missing, incomplete, or inaccessible. Without documentation proving that inspections were performed and deficiencies were resolved, the building effectively has no compliance record even if work was done.
Renovation-Related Damage and Compliance Gaps
Construction and renovation activity is the most common source of new fire door and damper deficiencies. Contractors prop fire doors, paint over hardware, damage damper frames, and leave duct penetrations unsealed. Post-renovation inspections should be a standard part of every construction project closeout process.
Concerned about your building's passive fire protection compliance? Schedule an assessment and we will give you a clear picture of where things stand.
How We Conduct Your Inspection
Damper and fire door inspections require methodical, documented testing of every component. Here is exactly how we approach each engagement.
Asset Inventory
We compile a complete inventory of all fire dampers, smoke dampers, and fire door assemblies in your facility, identifying each component by location, type, and applicable code requirement.
Component Testing
Each damper and fire door assembly is tested individually using the methods prescribed by NFPA 80 and NFPA 105, with results recorded for every component in real time.
Deficiency Documentation
Failed or deficient components are tagged, photographed, and documented with the specific deficiency, applicable code reference, and recommended corrective action and timeline.
Report & Repair
Complete inspection reports are delivered with all findings, and we schedule corrective action for deficient components to close out the inspection and restore full compliance.
Passive Fire Protection Done Right
Damper and fire door inspections are a specialty that requires specific technical knowledge, the right testing equipment, and familiarity with NFPA 80, NFPA 105, and local code requirements.
NFPA 80 & 105 Expertise
We know the specific testing requirements, documentation standards, and corrective action timelines prescribed by NFPA 80 and NFPA 105 for every type of damper and fire door assembly your building may contain.
Inspection and Repair in One
We do not just document deficiencies and leave. Our technicians carry common replacement parts and can address most damper and fire door deficiencies in the same visit or a scheduled follow-up, minimizing your compliance timeline.
Passive and Active Fire Protection Together
We handle both passive fire protection inspections and active fire alarm systems, giving you a single vendor who understands how all life safety components in your building interact and can coordinate service across all systems.
AHJ and Insurance Ready Reports
Every inspection report we produce is formatted to satisfy AHJ requirements and insurance carrier documentation standards, giving you everything you need for compliance with a single deliverable.
20+ Years Across South Florida
We have performed fire damper and fire door inspections in high-rise buildings, healthcare facilities, warehouses, office complexes, and every other commercial occupancy type across Miami-Dade, Broward, and statewide.
Certified, Licensed & Trusted
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from facility managers and building owners about fire damper and fire door inspection requirements.
NFPA 80 requires fire dampers to be inspected one year after installation and every four years thereafter in most commercial occupancies. Healthcare facilities and certain other occupancies have more frequent requirements, with some components requiring inspection every one to two years. Florida has adopted NFPA 80, and local jurisdictions may have additional requirements. We confirm the specific schedule for your occupancy type during our initial assessment.
NFPA 80 requires annual inspection and testing of all fire door assemblies. The inspection covers the door leaf and frame for damage, the hardware including hinges, closer, and latching mechanism, the door gaps and clearances which must be within specified limits, and functional testing of the self-closing and positive latching operation. Doors that fail any of these criteria are documented as deficient and must be repaired before the assembly is considered compliant.
NFPA 25 requires fire sprinkler systems to undergo an obstruction investigation every five years to check for materials that may have accumulated in the piping and could impair water discharge during a fire. The investigation involves internal inspection of selected pipe sections, evaluation of water supply quality, and assessment of conditions that could contribute to obstruction. Findings are documented and corrective actions are recommended as appropriate.
Many fire door deficiencies can be corrected by repairing or replacing specific hardware components such as the self-closer, latch, or hinges, without replacing the entire door and frame assembly. The determination depends on the nature and extent of the deficiency. Structural damage to the door leaf or frame, holes, or improper field modifications may require full assembly replacement. We assess each deficient door individually and provide the most practical and cost-effective corrective path.
Inspection time depends on the number of doors, dampers, and their distribution throughout the building. For facilities with large numbers of fire doors or dampers, we typically schedule over multiple days to minimize operational disruption. We work with your facility management team to plan access to mechanical spaces and minimize elevator and corridor impacts during the inspection process.
Yes. We perform both the inspection and the corrective work, which provides several practical advantages. Our technicians can address minor deficiencies like fusible link replacement or closer adjustment during the inspection visit itself. More significant repairs are scheduled promptly with full knowledge of the specific deficiency from first-hand inspection. You receive one service agreement, one invoice, and one point of accountability for the entire compliance process.
Get Your Dampers & Doors Inspected and Documented.
Whether your inspections are overdue, you have unresolved findings from a prior report, or you just want a reliable inspection partner going forward, we are ready to help.
- NFPA 80 and 105 compliant inspections
- Deficiency repair by the same team
- Response within one business day
- Serving all of South Florida and statewide