About Public Act 102-0426

What does the Fire and Smoke Damper Inspection Act mean for you?

To keep people safe AND save lives, effective as of January 1, 2022, Illinois has a new law with two major requirements you must follow to stay legal and keep you from being held liable should disaster ever strike —

Certified Inspectors

Inspections and testing of HVAC fire dampers and smoke dampers shall be conducted by individuals certified by the International Certification Board and Accredited to comply with ISO/IEC 17024 by: the American National Standards Institute; or another nationally recognized certifying body to ISO/IEC 17024 in HVAC fire life safety.

Frequency of Required Inspections

Every new installation of a damper requires inspection and certification 1 year after installation AND then every four years after that (except for hospitals, which requires inspections and certifications every 6 years).

Download the full Fire and Smoke Damper Inspection Act

Download Law
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Facilities That Must Comply

If your "inspected" fire and smoke dampers ever fail... will you be held liable?

Hospitals

Dampers need to be inspected and certified every six years

Nursing Homes

Dampers need to be inspected and certified every four years

Industrial Plants

Dampers need to be inspected and certified every four years

Shopping Malls

Dampers need to be inspected and certified every four years

Schools

Dampers need to be inspected and certified every four years

Apartment Buildings

Dampers need to be inspected and certified every four years

Government Buildings

Dampers need to be inspected and certified every four years

Any Place with Dampers

Any building with a fire barrier will have a damper thats needs to be inspected and certified
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Could an UN-certified inspection void your insurance after a smoke disaster? Could you be held liable for deaths?

You may get inspection offers from self-appointed drive-by techs – but don’t risk it. Stay safe and legal with the Fire and Smoke Damper Inspection Act and use only this list of fully-qualified inspectors in Illinois. Contact one today to get inspected and certified!

Steps you can take to ensure you comply with the Fire and Smoke Damper Inspection Act

Members of the Joint Commission, fire marshals and insurance risk auditors are in charge of enforcing the Illinois law. Any building with fire and smoke dampers need to comply with the law — except for facilities licensed by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission under the provisions of 10 CFR 50 or 10 CFR 52 or to employees of those facilities while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

1

Find Certified Inspector

Use our directory to find ICB-certified HVAC Fire Life Safety Technicians to inspect and certify all your fire and smoke dampers in Illinois.

2

Complete Inspection

Have all your fire and smoke dampers inspected and certified. Ensure your technician puts a damper inspection label on every facility damper.

3

Request Report

Make sure your technician provides you with a detailed summary report of all dampers inspected — including before and after photos of any repairs.
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"We fully supported the fire and smoke damper inspection act and greatly appreciate it’s intent. Not only will it potentially help save lives, it will also make our dangerous job as firefighters safer. On behalf of over 15,000 firefighters and paramedics in Illinois we fully endorse the need for damper inspections."
Chuck Sullivan, President
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

See the list of fully certified Fire and Smoke Damper Technicians

See Directory