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are fire dampers required in exhaust ducts

by Pierre Ziemann Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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No if shafts are garage exhaust or supply & are 2-hr, & have no openings to other occupancies Ducts that penetrate fire rated assemblies & are not required to have dampers under section 716 need to be fire stopped per an approved fire-rated assembly - 713.3

A combination fire/smoke damper is required where ductwork serves the corridor or an air transfer opening is provided in the corridor wall. For 1-hour or less walls, no damper is required where ductwork is minimum 26 gauge and the ducts do no serve the corridor.

Full Answer

Do I need fire dampers for my ductwork?

It also requires that approved fire dampers be provided where ducts penetrate barriers that are required to have a fire resistance rating of 2 hours or more.

Do I need a damper in my Kitchen exhaust system?

1) You cannot provide a damper in a kitchen exhaust system due to the operating temperatures. Therefore, if the duct is compromised for whatever reason, a passage for fire extension from one side of the wall to the other is created. 2) I'm not sure what building code is in effect on your project.

Is a fire damper required in a type 1 hood exhaust?

Since NFPA 96 was mentioned by someone, dampers are prohibited in Type I hood mechanical exhaust systems by the IMC. RE: Fire/smoke damper required? is there a different between fire wall and fire barrier?

What is the difference between a fire damper and a smoke damper?

While they can look similar on the surface, there are clear differences between a fire damper and a smoke damper. Fire dampers are designed in line with UL 555 and installed in ventilation systems, ducts, and air transfer openings. Their purpose is, once the heat from the fire or smoke activates it, it will close.

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Where are duct fire dampers required?

Generally, fire dampers are required where air ducts penetrate walls that are rated for 2-hours or more. They are needed in all air transfer openings (non-ducted) in rated walls, regardless of the rating. And they are required at some, but not all penetrations of rated floor assemblies and shaft enclosures.

Does a 2 hour fire rated wall require a fire damper?

Fire/smoke dampers are typically rated for 1-1⁄2 or 3 hours fire resistance. A 1-1⁄2 hour rated damper is sufficient for walls or floors having a rating of less than 3 hours. If the wall or floor has a rating of 3 hours or more, a 3 hour rated damper is required for sufficient protection.

Where should smoke dampers be installed?

Smoke dampers must be installed at or adjacent to the point where the duct passes through the smoke barrier in accordance with NFPA 90A. The maximum installation distance is 24" (610 mm) from the smoke barrier, however, the preferred location of leakage rated smoke dampers is in the smoke barrier.

Are fire dampers a legal requirement?

This standard is not the only legal requirement for fire dampers, but the person responsible for the building must be aware of BS 9999 and ensure the rules are applied in their premises. Part of this standard addresses the need for all ducting to be fitted with fire dampers at regular intervals.

When should fire dampers be used?

Fire Dampers are used in air transfer openings, ducts and other places where fire rated structures (e.g. walls, floors or other fire barriers) are penetrated.

What's the difference between a fire damper and a smoke damper?

A fire damper closes once the duct temperature reaches a high enough level to melt a fusible link. A smoke damper closes upon the detection of smoke.

What is the difference between a fire damper and a radiation damper?

Definitions. WHERE DO I USE A FIRE DAMPER VERSUS A CEILING RADIATION DAMPER? Fire dampers are intended for duct work penetrations entirely through a rated assembly. A ceiling radiation damper is intended for membrane penetrations of a rated horizontal assembly.

What is installed in the ducts and mechanical passageways to prevent the fire from spreading?

Fire damper is provided where it passes through the compartment floor or wall to prevent fire spread from compartment to compartment via the duct. To prevent fire spread from compartment to compartment via the duct, fire damper shall be provided at the inlets to the shaft and outlets from it.

What makes a 2-hour fire rated wall?

A 2-hour fire-rated wall is a wall that has been designed to resist fire for at least 2 hours. The wall may be made of brick, concrete, or other fire-resistant materials. This type of wall is typically used in commercial and industrial buildings, as well as in some residential applications.

What fire damper hourly rating is required to protect a 2-hour rated wall?

1.5 AND 3 HOUR FIRE RATINGS: The hour ratings for fire dampers must be 75% of the hour rating for the wall, floor or partition. That is why a fire damper rated for 1.5 hours can be used in a fire barrier rated for up to 2 hours and a fire damper rated for 3 hours can be used in a fire barrier rated up to four hours.

What does 2-hour fire wall mean?

The SANCTUARY Two-Hour Firewall is constructed of two opposing and offset studded walls. Studs on each wall are set to standard 16 inches on center distance. When offset, the actual distance between opposing studs is 8 inches on center, creating an 8-inch cavity into which Greenfiber FRM Insulation is spray-applied.

What does a fire rating of 2 hours mean?

A building or system with a 2-hour fire rating means that the system has satisfied the requirements for a 2-hour rating specified in a relevant standard test.

What do you need to know about exhaust dampers?

When it comes to fire protection equipment, fire dampers play a crucial role in keeping your home or office safe in an emergency. Unless you’re a contractor who knows heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) installation, you may not understand the different types of fire dampers ...

What is a Fire Damper?

A fire damper is a piece of equipment that regulates the airflow within an air duct or other air handling equipment types. In addition to their use in fire protection plans, dampers can also block off air conditioning or heat to an unused room, help you regulate the climate control or temperature in different zones in your home or office.

How does exhaust damper work?

Exhaust dampers work to keep good air in and bad air out. Whether it’s hot air from a bathroom or air conditioning propelling strong odors out of your kitchen in the summer without allowing hot air back in, exhaust and backdraft dampers play a crucial role in keeping your home and office comfortable and clean.

Why do bathrooms have exhaust dampers?

It’s essential to utilize your exhaust damper because it helps draw the moisture out of the air and prevent mold ...

How do fire dampers work?

There are two common ways that fire dampers close: fusible links and electrical control. A fusible link fire damper closes when the heat from a fire melts the link, causing the damper to shut. Electrical controlled dampers are connected to a more extensive fire suppression system and can shut when a smoke alarm or other fire activation system is engaged.

What is a fusible link fire damper?

A fusible link fire damper closes when the heat from a fire melts the link, causing the damper to shut. Electrical controlled dampers are connected to a more extensive fire suppression system and can shut when a smoke alarm or other fire activation system is engaged.

What are dampers used for?

In addition to their use in fire protection plans, dampers can also block off air conditioning or heat to an unused room, help you regulate the climate control or temperature in different zones in your home or office.

What is the difference between a fire damper and a smoke damper?

Another difference between a fire damper and a combination smoke/fire damper is the device’s ability to be closed by an electronic release. Although it may not seem important, dampers can have a significant impact on the amount of air pressure within an HVAC system.

What is static fire damper?

A static fire damper is only approved for HVAC systems that will turn off when a fire alarm is triggered. Also, a fire damper comes in one of two basic designs: curtain or multiple blades. The curtain style damper is the most common. It consists of a metal piece that resembles a curtain and is held in place by a heat-sensitive link.

What is a smoke damper?

A smoke damper features a door or set of doors, that close upon the detection of smoke. A smoke/fire damper combines the two technologies to be as effective as possible. Since a fire damper is not made to prevent the spread of smoke, only combination smoke/fire dampers or stand-alone smoke dampers are leakage-rated devices, ...

What is a passive fire protection system?

Passive fire protection, including products like those manufactured by Lloyd Industries, works to prevent smoke, gasses, and fire from spreading. A fire damper is a piece of equipment within a building’s heating, ventilation, or air conditioning ( HVAC) system. You may also see smoke dampers, or a combination smoke/fire damper, ...

What type of damper is best for compartmentalization?

What Type of Damper is Best? According to the Air Movement and Control Association, a majority of engineers agree that the best method of compartmentalization of buildings is through the use of a combination smoke/fire damper. A smoke damper features a door or set of doors, that close upon the detection of smoke.

How often should dampers be actuated?

The test and inspection frequency shall then be every four years, except in hospitals, where the frequency shall be every six years.”. The code also states that the damper shall be actuated and cycled.

Why do we need a fire damper?

A fire damper or any fire suppression device is a serious piece of equipment designed to reduce the loss of life and property.

What is a duct system?

3.3.20 Duct (or duct system): "A continuous passageway for the transmission of air and vapors that, in addition to the containment component themselves , might include duct fittings, dampers plenums, and/or other items or air handling equipment."

What is a fire wall?

3.3.26 Fire wall: a wall separating buildings or subdividing a building to prevent the spread of the fire and having a fire resistance rating and structural stability.

How long is a fire barrier?

Usually the number of hours: 1, 2 hours = fire barrier (or fire separation) 4 hours or more = fire wall.

Is damper a NFPA 96?

Since NFPA 96 was mentioned by someone, dampers are prohibited in Type I hood mechanical exhaust systems by the IMC.

Is a smoke damper required for NFPA?

It is IBC (UBC for CA) that applies, not NFPA or IMC. Smoke dampers are not required when part of a smoke control system (in life safety systems), I'd say this is your application, except for your case, it is "process" requirement, not life safety requirement. You need to look at an "engineered control system", ...

Do you need a smoke damper on a dedicated floor?

If it is a dedicated system, depending on your code, smoke damper should not be required since you are not open to any other floor (no chance for smoke migration).

Can you use fire dampers on clothes dryer?

There are many systems that are prohibited from having fire dampers or smoke dampers. clothes dryer exhaust, kitchen exhaust, hazardous exhaust, stair pressurization, smoke control system, etc. Generally, you would enclose these systems in a 2hr rated wrap.

What is NFPA 90A 5.3.1?

NFPA 90A - 5.3.1 where this states that that FD's are required in partitions that are 2-hour rated are more.#N#Is paragraph 5.4.1 only apply WHEN you have dampers in a rated wall less than 3-hours?

Do you need a damper for a smoke barrier?

Dampers are not required in ducted penetrations of smoke barriers in new health care occupancies, as addressed in 18.3.7.3 (2). This exemption anticipates that automatic sprinklers will limit fire size and that duct systems will also inhibit the transfer of smoke.

Where are split air handlers located?

These are public area HVAC supply/return air ducts. We have an interstitial space below the floor/ceiling assembly where the split air handlers are located. Some of the duct supply/returns penetrate 1-hour rated fire partitions, (walls around storage closets, laundry rooms, etc that are required to have a 1-hour wall per NFPA.) All are ducted, no air transfers openings.

Do you need to inspect a building in Harris County?

Most likely we will only need to meet NFPA 101 Requirements as we are in unincorporated Harris County where they do no inspect the buildings. The governing agency is HHSC in this case.

What is the difference between a Fire Damper and a Smoke Damper?

While they can look similar on the surface, there are clear differences between a fire damper and a smoke damper.

What is a curtain-type fire damper/fusible link fire damper?

A curtain-type fire damper or usually referred to as a fusible link fire damper is the most common of all fire dampers found on a project and operates via activation of a fusible link, releasing a curtain that drops under gravity aided by a spring to provide a barrier between different zones of a building.

What Type of Installation is Required for a Fire Damper?

A complete review of the drawings should be conducted to understand the orientation that the fire damper will need to be installed, and the type of compartments they are covering.

What type of closing is needed?

As noted, there are 2 types of fire damper, the fusible link curtain type and the fusible link multi-blade type. Usually, for closing, the multi-blade would be used for larger ductwork installations where it would be difficult to reset the curtain/drop type damper or fir dynamic airflow conditions [fans running].

Who can test fire dampers?

The British Standard BS: 9999 states that a competent person must test fire dampers after installing and at regular intervals not exceeding two years.

What is a curtain fire damper?

A curtain-type fire damper or usually referred to as a fusible link fire damper is the most common of all fire dampers found on a project and operates via activation of a fusible link, releasing a curtain that drops under gravity aided by a spring to provide a barrier between different zones of a building . They are the most common as they are the ...

How long does a fire damper last?

Commonly fire dampers will be rated and manufactured for a time period of 90 minutes or 180 minutes [1.5hrs or 3hrs], according to the International Building Code [717.3.2.1 Fire Damper Rating] the following is required: Type of Penetration. Minimum Damper Rating [hrs]

Why are suppression systems put in commercial kitchens?

That's why suppression systems are put in commercial kitchens limit the oxygen exposure the fire can be contained to the kitchen not spread to the patrons sitting 50ft away .

What is the fire resistance rating of exterior walls?

The required fire-resistance rating of exterior walls with a fire separation distance of greater than 10 feet (3048 mm) shall be rated for exposure to fire from the inside. The required fire-resistance rating of exterior walls with a fire separation distance of less than or equal to 10 feet (3048 mm) shall be rated for exposure to fire from both sides.

What happens when grease is mixed with water?

The chemical agent reacts with the grease to form a foam that smothers the fire and the water in the agent cools metal surfaces to prevent re-flash. Typically, the exhaust system remains on, but make up air, if provided by a make up air unit, is shut down.

How much wall space can be unprotected?

Please see the tables I referred to in the IBC. For a commercial structure at 5-10 foot separation, you can have up to 10% of the wall area as unprotected openings.

Is a smoke damper a mechanical construction?

It is mechanical construction. All OP should have to do is run the branch circuit. Click to expand... If it's a smoke damper it's going to have a motor on it. It's always a tussle who supplies this item; the fire alarm company, the mechanical contractor, or the electrical contractor. No one wants to own it.

Do you need a damper for a rated assembly?

If it passes through a rated assembly then you need a rated damper.

Can you fire a door in 2 hours?

No, they are not. Note that in a 2-hour fire rated wall, you can have a 1-1/2 hour rated door.

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1.Basics of Fire and Smoke Damper Installations | NFPA

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