DW145 Fire Dampers Updates 2023-2026

The DW145 standard, titled "Guide to Good Practice for the Installation of Fire and Smoke Dampers," was first released in 2001 by the Building and Engineering Services Association (BESA).

See our Fire and Smoke Damper Assessment service page if you're concerned about fire safety or looking to prove compliance.

UPDATE: DW145 Published — What's Changed

The revised DW145 was published on 21 November 2024 at London Build as planned. The updated title is now 'DW145 – Fire Dampers (E/EI) and Leakage Guide to Good Practice for Installation, Design and Selection, Inspection and Maintenance' — a broader scope than the previous version. It incorporates the earlier VH001 technical bulletin in full, with all changes and updates outlined within the new document. Key areas of focus include the crucial role of penetration seals in fire-stopping integrity, and the importance of accessibility — ensuring maintenance teams can find and reach dampers for testing and repair. BESA has also stressed the importance of detailed installation documentation, including photographic evidence at each stage. The BESA Academy now offers a dedicated Fire and Smoke Damper Awareness training course to support compliance with the revised guidance.

UPDATE November 2024

On the 21st of November at 2PM, the DW145 2024 revision will be launched at London Build. The event is being held at Olympia London. An expert panel will discuss the revisions in the update, and will be able to answer questions.

UPDATE October 2024

In the run up to the BESA Conference taking place at the Brewery in London on the 17th of October, BESA have put out an update saying that the DW145 update is coming soon..

During the 12:15, session entitled "Fire dampers – raising installation standards" BESA’s much-anticipated revision to the DW145 standard: ‘Guide to Good Practice for the Installation of Fire and Smoke Dampers’ will be explained and debated in the light of growing focus on this fire safety critical aspect of building services projects.

December 2023

BESA has recently issued a technical bulletin (VH001) in response to concerns regarding the installation practices of numerous smoke control dampers and fire dampers. This bulletin precedes a comprehensive update of the industry guidance for the ‘Installation of Fire Dampers and Smoke Dampers’ (DW145), now scheduled for release in 2024.

For more background information on Fire Dampers as well as the relevant standards, see our explainer article: Everything You Need to Know About Fire and Smoke Dampers.

BESA used the bulletin to urgently alert the industry to a critical flaw in building ventilation systems, unveiling the interim technical bulletin, VH001, ahead of the DW145 update due in 2024. The bulletin exposes widespread issues with fire dampers' installations, discovered during annual inspections. Graeme Fox, BESA's technical director, highlighted a concerning practice involving self-drilling screws compromising damper integrity, and emphasised the necessity of fusible fixings for proper fire containment.

BESA's technical committee issued a crucial decree, urging contractors to educate clients on the widespread problem. The bulletin delves into legal obligations, emphasising the role of penetration seals in fire safety.

VH001 can be downloaded from the BESA website.