These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This page was last updated on November 16, 2021. Without them, fire and smoke could travel throughout the building to spaces otherwise untouched by the fire. Visually confirm the damper moved to the full-closed or full-open position when commanded. The operation of fire dampers is simple: they close when the temperature in the room or space rises over the threshold limit to prevent the fire from spreading. The damper is tested to demonstrate complete closure against the prescribed airflow three times at ambient air conditions. 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. www.healthcarefacilitiestoday.com.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'k2_builders_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-k2_builders_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Fire Dampers are used in air transfer openings, ducts and other places where fire rated structures (e.g. Thanks a lot! Where a duct passes through a fire hazard room, but does not serve it, fire dampers are not required but the duct must have fire resistance of 30 minutes in respect to integrity and insulation. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Chapter 14 - Exterior Walls Note: the BS standard states that a thermally operated damper should not be used to protect escape routes or used in smoke control systems, kitchen extract systems. Dynamic closure velocity ratings begin at a minimum rating of 2000 feet per minute (fpm) with optional higher ratings in increments of 1000 fpm above that. For new installations, retaining the installation instructions on sitecan help verify that a damper has been properly installed. Ducts and air-transfer openings penetrating walls or partitions having a fire resistance rating of 2 or more hours. Fire Dampers Requirements | The Building Code Forum Local codes and amendments may vary from the code requirements described herein. Compliance with NFPA 90A is mandated by NFPA 101, NFPA 5000and NFPA 80. apply after it has been determined where a damper is required and how to access and identify it. In reality, it will be down to the statutory requirements, codes, and regulations to understand if fire dampers are required and which type. Before lighting a fire, you can tell if the damper is open by placing your hand into the fireplace. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper should always be closed. , provides the inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements for smoke dampers, which are outlined below. Method 2 Protection using fire resisting enclosures, Method 3 Protection using fire-resisting ductwork, Access to and Identification of fire dampers. As there could be changes to codes, guides, and standards and could be different between different countries/locations/projects/types of installations, the reader should make themselves fully aware of those requirements. House presentation (interior and exterior with aerial shots). 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. Fire dampers respond to heat, when the temperature reaches a set point the damper slams shut. 13VAC5-63-230. Chapter 7 Fire and smoke protection features. November 2022 Shafts, floors & walls if 1hr. Ductwork passing through compartment and sub-compartment walls should be provided with fire dampers. As detailed above, fusible links are rated to fail/break at a certain temperature. Damper fully closes under both the normal HVAC airflow and non-airflow conditions. Privacy Policy and