One of the most common questions we receive from building managers is straightforward: how often should my smoke ventilation system be inspected?
The answer is not a single frequency. Smoke control systems require a tiered inspection regime with different checks carried out at different intervals by different people. The SCA Guidance on Maintenance of Smoke Control Equipment, which I chaired the working group for, sets these out clearly. This article breaks down every level.
Why a Tiered Approach Is Necessary
A smoke ventilation system is life-safety equipment. It sits dormant for months or years, then needs to perform flawlessly in the few minutes that matter during a fire event. Unlike equipment that is used daily and therefore reveals faults through use, a smoke control system can develop problems that remain invisible until the system is tested - or until it fails to operate in an emergency.
The tiered inspection approach exists because different types of faults develop at different rates. A disconnected power supply can be detected by a daily visual check of the panel. A seized actuator requires a weekly functional test. Battery degradation needs monthly power-failure simulation. And cause-and-effect verification against the original design specification requires a full 6-monthly or annual inspection by a specialist.
Daily Inspections - The Nominated Person
Carried out by: A nominated person (building staff trained on the system)
The daily check is a visual inspection of the smoke control status panel. The panel should display a clear indication of normal operation and the fire alarm system should be active. The check takes less than two minutes but catches the most obvious fault conditions.
If a fault light is displayed, the nominated person should log the issue and attempt to resolve it. If it cannot be resolved, the competent maintenance provider should be contacted immediately. If the fault compromises system performance, the building representative must review the fire risk assessment and take action accordingly.
A daily check is not maintenance. It is a visual and operational check that confirms the system looks right and responds. It does not replace the periodic servicing and testing set out below, which a competent person must carry out.
Weekly Inspections - The Competent Person
Carried out by: A competent person with training on the specific system installed
Weekly checks build on the daily inspection with functional testing of the system. This is where the system is actually operated - not just visually checked.
The competent person should actuate the system as per the system provider’s recommendations and verify that:
- Dampers for triggered zones open and close correctly
- Natural exhaust ventilators open fully
- Fans operate and can be heard running normally
- Air inlet vents or windows open when the system activates
- On reset, all components return to their standby positions
- There are no unusual sounds during operation
BS 7346-8 and the SCA Guidance on Maintenance of Smoke Control Equipment require that every zone within a smoke control system is tested at least once every three months, with tests run each week. For a 10-storey building, this means testing 2 zones per week on a rotating schedule. For a 20-storey building, 4 zones per week.
All test results must be recorded in the system logbook with the date, time, zones tested, and outcome.
Monthly Inspections - Physical Checks and Power Testing
Carried out by: A competent person
Monthly checks add physical inspection and power supply testing to the weekly functional tests.
The competent person should carry out a thorough inspection of all rooftop equipment, checking for debris ingress, wear, corrosion, tampering, signs of vermin, overgrown vegetation, and any obstructions. Door hold-open devices should be tested by simulating mains power failure.
The most critical monthly check is the secondary power supply test. The primary power supply should be deliberately disconnected, and the system should be run on its backup power for at least one hour. At the end of the test, the competent person must verify that all supplies have been restored to their standby positions.
For systems with standby generators, the fuel tank should be checked for sufficient fuel to provide 72 hours of standby operation plus 3 hours at full load. For systems with UPS (uninterruptible power supply) units, the UPS controls should be checked for fault indications.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (Regulation 7) makes monthly routine checks a statutory requirement for high-rise residential buildings.
Quarterly Inspections - Full Zone Coverage
Carried out by: A competent person
The quarterly check ensures that every single zone in the system has been independently tested. While weekly testing covers a rotating selection of zones, the 3-monthly milestone is the point at which all zones must have been covered.
This means verifying that every fire detection input and control interface has been tested, and that the complete cause-and-effect sequence has been exercised across all zones.
6-Monthly Inspections - The Competent Maintainer
Carried out by: A competent maintainer (specialist maintenance organisation)
This is where the inspection shifts from routine operational checks to specialist engineering assessment. A competent maintainer must have specialist knowledge of smoke control systems, adequate access to spares, and sufficient information regarding the system - as required by BS 7346 Part 8.
The 6-monthly inspection includes everything in the monthly checks plus:
- Logbook review - checking that regular user checks have been conducted and that recorded faults have been addressed
- Cause-and-effect verification - testing all cause-and-effect sequences against the original system design
- Airflow measurement - taking representative flow rate samples through smoke dampers or doors. Measurements should be taken at top, middle, and bottom of the shaft using a minimum of 9 measurement points per damper
- Power supply inspection - verifying primary-to-secondary power transfer, checking ATS (automatic transfer switch) service records, inspecting battery dates and condition
- LV supply inspection - confirming no earth leakage protection devices are present within LV distribution circuits (which would prevent the system from operating)
- Component condition assessment - checking actuators for wear, lubricating where applicable, inspecting shaft components for visible gaps or damage
The competent maintainer must issue a maintenance certificate clearly stating whether the system has passed, passed with advisories, or failed.
The SCA and its manufacturer members recommend 6-monthly maintenance to identify unmonitored faults, take preventive measures, and ensure the continued reliability of the system.
Annual Inspections - The Full Commissioning Check
Carried out by: A Maintenance Engineer trained by the smoke control manufacturer or SMR01 registered
The annual inspection is the most thorough assessment. It is effectively a full recommissioning of the system, checking all cause and effects, the fire strategy, non-conformities, system performance and functionality against the original specification.
In addition to everything covered in the 6-monthly check, the annual inspection includes:
- Full cause-and-effect verification against the fire strategy documentation
- Inspection of shaft doors and dampers for correct operation and intact intumescent seals
- Verification that all vents meet their functional performance requirements (free area as per Approved Document B)
- Check that window vents are higher than 1100mm from floor level with adequate fall protection
- Verification that smoke shafts have not had utility services or equipment installed that is not part of the smoke control system
- Cable installation inspection against ADB, BS 8519, BS 7671, and SCA guidance
- Smoke duct and shaft cleaning in accordance with BS 7346-8 and TR19 (Air), the standard for ductwork hygiene
The SCA also recommends an annual joint inspection visit with other maintenance providers - fire alarm, sprinkler, access control - to ensure that third-party system interactions function as intended.
How to Use This Schedule
Print or save this schedule and use it as a benchmark against your current maintenance programme. If your maintenance provider is not carrying out the checks described at each interval, you have a clear basis for a conversation about what should change.
The full SCA Guidance on Maintenance of Smoke Control Equipment is available from the Smoke Control Association website and provides additional detail including example logbooks, maintenance certificates, and a failure flowchart.
If you need help setting up or improving a maintenance programme for your smoke ventilation system, contact our team at Vent Trade.
Sources
Official guidance and standards referenced in this article:
