Ductwork Installation RAMS Guide for UK Contractors

Key Topics in a Ductwork Installation RAMS

Working at height — ceiling voids and risers

Ductwork installation above suspended ceilings and in riser shafts frequently requires working at height on mobile scaffold towers, podium steps, or MEWP. The RAMS must apply the WAH 2005 hierarchy, specify the access equipment type, and confirm PASMA or IPAF operator competence where required.

Fire damper installation

Where ductwork penetrates fire-rated compartment boundaries, fire dampers must be installed in accordance with the building's fire strategy. The RAMS must identify all fire compartment penetrations, confirm that fire dampers are installed by a competent person with knowledge of the building's fire strategy, and describe the commissioning and access requirements for future maintenance and testing.

Hygiene during installation

HVCA (BESA) guide TR/19 requires that ductwork interiors are kept free of debris, moisture, and contamination. The RAMS must describe how open ends are capped during installation, how the ductwork is cleaned before commissioning, and how contamination from adjacent trades is prevented during the installation programme.

Manual handling of duct sections

Rectangular ductwork sections can be large and unwieldy. The RAMS must specify team-handling arrangements for large sections, mechanical lifting aids where available, and staging or temporary support during fitting to avoid operatives sustaining sections at height for extended periods.