DBI can now test four fire dampers simultaneously

Published: 24.11.25

Most test laboratories can test two or three fire dampers at a time. But with new testing equipment, DBI can now conduct fire tests on four dampers simultaneously. This makes the process both faster and cheaper for manufacturers.

It costs money every time the test furnace is turned on. And for manufacturers of fire dampers, the number of tests quickly adds up before a product is ready for the market. Often, many variants with small adjustments must be tested throughout the process.

“As a damper manufacturer, you typically need many tests to bring your products to the finish line. So the more data you can obtain from each individual test, the better. When we can test several different dampers at the same time, the process becomes both faster and cheaper,” says David Ring, building constructor in DBI’s fire testing department.

Mobile test stations provide greater flexibility

DBI already had two stationary test stations, where each damper was connected individually during testing. With the development of two new mobile test lines, DBI has now expanded its capacity so that a total of four dampers can be tested simultaneously.

“In addition to being able to test four dampers at the same time, the mobile stations allow us to use different furnaces depending on the need. This gives us much greater flexibility, and at the same time gives customers the opportunity for greater creativity in their testing,” says David Ring, adding:

“Our equipment must be able to control airflow and negative pressure, so each station consists of a fan, pressure gauges, temperature gauges, instrumentation, pipes, and fittings.”

The fact that DBI’s subsidiary, DBI Certification A/S, certifies dampers can also make the process easier for customers.

“Even though these are two independent companies, it makes a difference to manufacturers that we work under the same roof. The entire process becomes smoother because they can get the full package with us,” says David Ring.

More than four dampers?

But where is the limit for how many dampers can actually be tested at once?

“It is difficult to test more than four dampers at a time due to their size as the dampers are simply too large. But we are considering starting a project involving small-scaled tests, which can provide valuable data during the product development phase and thus potentially reduce the need for full fire tests,” says David Ring.