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.
What controls a fire damper?
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. Smoke dampers are qualified under UL Standard 555S, UL Standard for Safety for Smoke Dampers, and have two general applications: 1.
Why fire damper is required?
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.
How much does a fire damper cost?
The average cost of fire damper testing and inspections is between $40-$150 per fire damper.
Do fire dampers need emergency power?
Either emergency power should be provided or smoke dampers should be arranged for fail-safe closure upon failure of power to the actuator. … Both the IBC and NFPA require that adequate access be provided to allow inspection and that maintenance of the smoke damper be provided.
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.
Should fire dampers be open or closed?
The fireplace damper should always be in the open position whenever you have a fire in the fireplace. Never close the damper or leave the fireplace unattended while there is a fire in the fireplace. This is not only a fire hazard, it can also cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
What is a Type A fire damper?
Type-A Fire Damper: Used when the airflow interruption from the stack of blades in the fire damper frame is not a prime concern or consideration. Type-A dampers are the easiest and fastest type to install and are mostly used in low-pressure part of duct systems (up to 2” w.c.).
Are fire dampers connected to the fire alarm?
A fire damper is installed in HVAC duct work at the intersection of a rated barrier such as walls or partitions. … 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.
Are fire dampers 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 dampers monitored by fire alarm?
Fire dampers are NOT actuated by the fire alarm system and are NOT part of a smoke management system.
How many types of fire dampers are there?
No, there are 2 types of dampers, either mechanical or intumescent. Mechanical dampers dependant upon the application they can be “drop type” curtain (most common), single or multi blade . There are different fire dampers for horizontal or vertical installation.
How often should smoke dampers be tested?
1 requires that each damper be tested and inspected 1 year after installation. NFPA 80(10), Sec. 19.4. 1.1 requires that the test and inspection frequency then be every 4 years, except for hospitals, where the frequency is allowed to be every 6 years.
What triggers a smoke damper?
A smoke damper can also be installed within the duct, and is activated by a signal from a smoke detector within the damper. Upon detection of smoke, the actuator will automatically close the damper components. A combination fire/smoke damper will close upon detection of EITHER fire or smoke.
How do I know if my ventilation damper is open or closed?
If you are looking at a duct that is coming off the furnace and going straight up like it is going to the upstairs, and the wing is in the same direction as the duct, it is open. If the wing is in the opposite or vertical position to the ductwork, then the damper is closed.
Can I leave the flue open overnight?
Leave the damper open overnight. Yes, you will lose some heat up the flue, but you will save the occupants of the home from poisoning by colorless, odorless carbon monoxide. … Only when they are completely cold to the touch is it safe to shut the fireplace damper.
What are dampers used for?
A damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside a duct, chimney, VAV box, air handler, or other air-handling equipment. A damper may be used to cut off central air conditioning (heating or cooling) to an unused room, or to regulate it for room-by-room temperature and climate control.
Do fire dampers close automatically?
The automatic fire/smoke damper operates (usually) by automatically closing a door or doors within the damper on the detection of a temperature increase or by operation of a separate smoke detector.
What are life safety loads?
So in simple terms, life safety loads or functions are powered from an emergency electrical distribution system which is supplied by a normal source and an emergency source.
Are fire dampers required in 30 minute walls?
Ductwork passing through compartment and sub-compartment walls should be provided with fire dampers. … As an alternative to this, a fire rated ceiling having a minimum fire resistance of 30 minutes (including light fittings) may be used (Figure 15 ii). When ducts serve a hazard room, then fire dampers are required.
Are fire dampers motorized?
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.
Where are combination fire smoke 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.