Functions of motorized fire damper:
- The function of motorized fire damper is to regulate the flow of air inside the air handling equipment.
- The damper prevents the spread of fire and smoke through the ventilation ducts.
- In case of fire, they are moved into safety position by means of the fire damper actuator like:
What is a fire damper and how does it work?
- Conduct a visual inspection – With a flashlight in hand, you can look inside the fireplace up towards the chimney to verify if the damper is open or closed.
- Start a fire – Smoke will begin to enter the room if the damper is closed. ...
- Check the controls – If you have a top-mount damper, simply pull on the chain. ...
How to open a fire damper?
Some of the most common types of dampers include:
- Poker dampers. Poker dampers operate on a long, curved handle. The handle has grooves in it to hold the damper in place. ...
- Rotary dampers. As the name implies, rotary damper work on a rotating system, with long, screw-like rods that move the damper. ...
- Pivot damper. A pivot damper operates on a long, jointed handle. ...
How to install a fire damper?
How To Install A Damper Inside My Fireplace: 3 Step Process. Step 1 of 3: Opening The Fireplace Door And Cleaning Inside. Step 2 of 3: Installing The New Damper. Step 3 of 3: Setting the Newly Installed Damper and Putting the Door Back. How to Replace My Old Damaged Damper.
What exactly are fire dampers?
Fire dampers are UL555 tested and labeled devices installed in ducts and air transfer openings or air distribution systems, designed to close upon the detection of heat.
What is a fire damper and how does it work?
Fire dampers respond to heat, when the temperature reaches a set point the damper slams shut. Smoke dampers respond to the detection of smoke, and close automatically. They can also be activated remotely. They resist the passage of smoke, toxic gases and air through a fire barrier.
What are the two types of fire dampers?
There are two types of fire damper closing system: those with a fuse mechanism and those with an actuator, which is motorised, and to which you can connect a smoke detection system.
Where should a fire damper be placed?
Location: Fire dampers are installed in or near the wall or floor, at the point of duct penetration, to retain the integrity and fire rating of a wall or floor whether it is a ducted or open-ple- num return application.
How does a smoke damper work?
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What activates a fire damper?
In general a fire damper works when heat from a fire causes the normal temperature of a room to rise to approximately 165 degrees Fahrenheit i.e. it is designed to close automatically on the detection of heat. The fusible link which is attached to the damper melts causing the dampers' door to close.
How are fire dampers controlled?
Smoke dampers are operated by either a factory-installed elec- tric or a pneumatic actuator. They are controlled by smoke detectors and/or fire alarms.
Should fire dampers be open or closed?
A fireplace damper should always be kept open while the fire is burning. Furthermore, keep the damper open until all the embers are completely out; since smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide can enter the house. Once the ember bed is entirely out, close the damper.
Is a fire damper required in a 1 hour wall?
Q: Are fire dampers required in one-hour fire-rated walls if the facility is fully sprinkled? A: According to NFPA 90A (1999 edition), one-hour fire-rated barriers do not require fire dampers in fully ducted HVAC systems, unless the one-hour fire-rated barrier is a vertical shaft.
Are fire damper connection to fire alarm?
The smoke detector can either be a system smoke (tied to a building fire alarm system) or a stand alone smoke solely in place to activate the smoke damper. Smoke Dampers are required to be installed on walls that separate smoke barriers.
What is a fire damper?
Fire dampers are passive fire protection products used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts to prevent the spread of fire inside the ductwork through fire-resistance rated walls and floors . Fire/smoke dampers are similar to fire dampers in fire resistance rating, and also prevent the spread of smoke inside the ducts.
What is the purpose of annulus dampers?
The annulus permits smoke migration. Mechanical dampers shut the cross sectional area of a duct in the event of a fire either by means of pivoting a fire-resistant board (in Europe), or by means of steel shutters, similar to blinds on a window (in North America).
What is an ATFD?
Air transfer fire dampers (ATFD) are not protected by ductwork and must therefore be installed and manufactured to standards and tests that take into account room fire exposures. Air transfer fire dampers are passive such as intumescent types or mechanical types.
Is an intumescent damper certified?
Provided the intumescent is within demonstrable ageing and/or shelf life and providing the absence of massive combustible objects (sabotage), the damper is certified to maintain its functionality subject to its certification listing or type approval.
Can a fire damper close?
Fire dampers can also close following receipt of an electrical signal from a fire alarm system utili sing detectors remote from the damper , indicating the sensing of heat or smoke in the building occupied spaces or in the HVAC duct system.
Is a damper a PFP?
Both mechanical and intumescent dampers form part of passive fire protection (PFP) systems, such as fire-resistance rated walls, floors, or even ducts or cable tray fireproofing. As such, they are PFP systems.
How do fire dampers help?
By detecting excessive heat, preventing air distribution and oxygen supply, and resisting the passage of flames, fire dampers can help save lives. Types of Fire Dampers.
What is a fire damper?
Fire dampers and smoke dampers are part of a passive fire protection system that protects your building from smoke and fire damage. They also give first responders time to enter the building and fight the fire before it spreads further.
What is a dynamic fire damper?
Unlike with static fire dampers, dynamic fire dampers are installed in HVAC systems that do not automatically shut off in the event of a fire. That means the air will continue to circulate within the HVAC system. Once the fire damper detects heat, its built-in fan activates, forcing the spring-loaded system to shut. Combination Dampers.
What happens when a fire damper is shut off?
Once the fire damper has shut, no air or flames can pass through the ducts of your HVAC system. Dynamic Fire Dampers. A dynamic fire damper is spring-loaded, which is how they close — blocking airflow and flames from spreading throughout the building.
Why do we need passive fire protection?
Why Do I Need a Passive Fire Protection System? A major safety concern for any organization is keeping its employees safe and mitigating the risks of a fire damaging the building. Fire dampers and smoke dampers are part of your Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning System — also known as HVAC.
What temperature does a fire damper need to be?
Fire dampers are able to detect excessive heat and are activated when the temperature of a room rises above 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature rises, there is a fusible link that is attached to the fire damper that will melt. When the fusible link melts, the damper closes.
What are the different types of fire dampers?
There are three main types of fire dampers: static fire dampers, dynamic fire dampers, and combination dampers. Static Fire Dampers. A static fire damper works like a curtain.
What is a fire damper made of?
Fire dampers are what stops the flames and smoke from passing through. Those fittings are often made out of galvanized steel.
What is static fire damper?
This pressure will help keep the fire dampers’ doors closed. Static – installed in horizontal barriers, these fire dampers have a curtain-like design. In case of fire, the curtain drops, preventing passage for heat, flames and smoke. These dampers are installed where ducting fans will no longer work if a fire is detected.
What temperature does a fire damper melt down?
The fire dampers that operate without the need of circuits and sensor are relying on a fusible link. This link will meltdown from the heat (at around 72°C), generated by the fire and will engage the fire damper, closing its doors for good. There is one more option. As you may know, most metals expand when heated.
What is dynamic damper?
Dynamic – installed in vertical barriers, these particular fire dampers have a spring-loaded mechanism. In case of fire, the mechanism is released and the doors of the damper shut close. The fan in the system will continue to run and build up pressure. This pressure will help keep the fire dampers’ doors closed.
Do fire dampers expand when heated?
As you may know, most metals expand when heated. Well, thanks to that fact, designs of fire damper made out of slotted metal plates are present on the market. The slots close while the metal expands from the heat, sealing the ducting while the heat doesn’t drop.
Is a fire in a commercial property common?
Posted in: H&S. Fires in commercial properties and private homes are not something common. However, nobody is 100% protected against them. One forgotten iron is all it takes, given enough time, to turn into a blazing fire. If you are running an HVAC system or ducting vents, you may have one more way for the fire to spread.
Can you wire a fire damper to a smoke detector?
For instance, you can wire your fire dampers to your smoke detectors. Whenever a smoke detector turns on, it will send a signal to the fire/smo ke damper to close. As we have mentioned before, this needs to be implemented in systems where there is a backup power supply. Or in a system with its own power bank.
Why do you need a fire damper?
To maintain the required fire rating to walls, partitions, barriers, or floors when ducts or other air transfer openings penetrate them, building codes and regulations require that fire dampers are installed to provide separation, in the event of a fire, between compartments restricting it spreading. Protecting people and property.
What is a smoke damper?
In line with UL555S, smoke dampers are designed to be a low leak damper that is usually motorized so it can be shut down and closed in the event of a fire and opened again if needed to control the ventilation systems and subsequent smoke from the spaces of the building.
What is a multi blade damper?
Multi-blade dampers operate in a similar way to the curtain type damper in that they utilize a fusible link to close the blades. They should be used when the size requirements mean that the drop-type curtain damper is not feasible due to the effort to reset them and operate.
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]
Do fire dampers need to be maintained?
This imposes employers’ responsibility to ensure that all fire systems are maintained and in good working order. Under this guidance, and as fire dampers play a large role in stopping the spread of fire, they should be subject to a regular maintenance regime.
What is a motorized fire damper?
Motorized Fire Damper prevents the passage of flame from one side of a fire rated separation to the other and will be functioning with the help of actuators with either an electric or pneumatic actuator. They are controlled by heat detector signal, fire alarm or some other building control system.
When are fire dampers moved into safety position?
In case of fire, they are moved into safety position by means of the fire damper actuator like: In the environment, when the operating temperature is exceeded in the duct. When triggered by smoke detector or in the event of power failure.
Overview
Fire dampers for ducts
• German fire damper in underground parking of a commercial building.
• North American fire dampers, ready for installation in Durasteel fire-resistance rated pressurisation ductwork.
• Side view of North American fire damper, showing the closing mechanism that shuts the interior blades.
Air transfer dampers
Air transfer fire dampers (ATFD) are not protected by ductwork and must therefore be installed and manufactured to standards and tests that take into account room fire exposures. Air transfer fire dampers are passive such as intumescent types or mechanical types. They are designed for fire resistance, direct flame resistance in the open state or for smoke resistance or for combinations. Some designs are for exterior use, some are for hygienic zone use and some are …
Fire damper inspections and maintenance
In the US, the Joint Commission, State Fire Marshals and Other Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ's), require some Fire and Smoke Dampers to be tested at specified intervals. Similarly, European authorities mandate maintenance and repairs of fire dampers also, as part of approvals or listings issued following successful testing of fire damper assemblies.
See also
• Blast damper
• HVAC
• Passive fire protection
• Active fire protection
• Fire test
External links
• NFPA Xchange site on comparison of UL555(S) versus DIN4102 qualified fire dampers, including video link
• UL fire damper guideline
• Abstract on UL555 Standard on Fire Dampers
• Abstract on UL555s Standard for Smoke Dampers