Mandatory 4-year cycle testing of all fire and smoke dampers for commercial properties across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Fully coordinated, documented, and NFPA 105 compliant.
Fire and smoke dampers are critical life-safety devices installed in HVAC ducts where they pass through fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings. Their job is to automatically close during a fire event, preventing flames and smoke from traveling through ductwork and spreading throughout a building.
NFPA 105, adopted by the State of Michigan, requires that all fire dampers be inspected and tested one year after installation, and every four years thereafter. Smoke dampers and combination fire/smoke dampers must be tested every six years at minimum, though many AHJs require the 4-year cycle for all damper types.
Testing must be performed by qualified personnel, documented in detail, and records must be retained and available for inspection by the fire marshal or other Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Many building owners are unaware their dampers have never been tested since original installation — putting them years out of compliance without knowing it.
Any commercial building with HVAC ductwork passing through fire-rated assemblies requires fire damper testing. This typically includes:
A compliant NFPA 105 inspection requires physical access to and testing of every fire and smoke damper in the building. Guardian manages the entire process including ceiling access coordination.
Damper Types Tested
What We Verify
Documentation
Fire damper testing is one of the most commonly overlooked compliance obligations — and one of the most consequential to ignore.
Untested dampers are a common citation during fire marshal inspections. Records must be available on demand — missing documentation is treated the same as non-compliance.
Dampers that have never been tested frequently fail when actuated — blades seize, fusible links corrode, actuators fail. A damper that doesn't close is a direct fire spread pathway.
If a fire spreads through untested ductwork and dampers are found to be non-functional or uninspected, property owners face significant insurance and legal liability.
Damper testing requires ceiling access throughout the building. Without proper coordination, testing disrupts tenants and operations. Guardian manages all access scheduling on your behalf.
Damper testing is logistically complex. Guardian handles every step so you don't have to coordinate access, track down technicians, or chase paperwork.
We compile a complete inventory of all fire and smoke dampers in your building and determine your testing cycle status.
We schedule testing with minimal disruption to tenants and operations, coordinating ceiling access across all affected areas.
Qualified technicians test every damper and document results with photos, pass/fail status, and location mapping.
We coordinate all repairs through our contractor network — replacing fusible links, fixing actuators, and resolving any failed units.
Records stored in your compliance portal. We track your 4-year cycle and schedule your next testing window proactively.
We'll assess your property, identify your testing cycle status, and give you a clear plan — at no cost.