Self-Drilling Tek Screws In Fire Dampers

There’s an important safety concern regarding the use of self-drilling ‘tek’ screws in fire dampers. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has issued warnings about this practice because these screws do not melt when exposed to high temperatures during a fire. This means that spring-loaded dampers may not release, preventing them from containing the spread of fire.

Fire dampers should be secured using fusible fixings that allow the duct to break away. If the duct collapses during a fire, it could pull the damper out of place, breaking the seal between fire zones. BESA has urged contractors to alert their clients immediately so that necessary checks and repairs can be carried out.

If you need more details, you can check out the updated technical bulletin VH001 on BESA’s website.