Fire damper

Interior of German mechanical fire damper inside of a galvanised steel duct.

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. When a rise in temperature occurs, the fire damper closes, usually activated by a thermal element which melts at temperatures higher than ambient but low enough to indicate the presence of a fire, allowing springs to close the damper blades. Fire dampers can also close following receipt of an electrical signal from a fire alarm system utilising detectors remote from the damper, indicating the sensing of heat or smoke in the building occupied spaces or in the HVAC duct system.

Regulations and fire test regimes vary from one country to another, which can result in different designs and applications.

Fire dampers for ducts

Mechanical dampers

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). In the European designs, the turning mechanism is fully contained, permitting the dampers (subject to type approval) to be grouted in place, which permits a heat sink effect to conduct heat from an accidental building fire, which impinges upon a duct and damper, to be conducted into surrounding structures. This also addresses the topic of smoke migration through the damper's annulus. In North American damper designs, the closing mechanism for the interior shutters resides on the outside of the damper, which is why NFPA 80 expressly prohibits the installation or presence of any materials in the damper's annulus, which are not mentioned in the manufacturer's instructions, which are governed by their certification listings. The closing mechanism must be allowed to operate, which necessitates that the annulus remain open, apart from an angle iron lip that surrounds the damper through-penetration in fire-resistance rated wall and floor assemblies. Maintenance efforts of mechanical dampers of both European and North American mechanical damper designs focus on the function of the mechanical shutting of the opening (which must be performed during inspection), as well as removal of any foreign objects that may otherwise impair this function.

Intumescent dampers

Intumescent dampers may be qualified to ISO 10294-5:2005 Fire dampers for air distribution systems—Part 5: Intumescent fire dampers. They swell shut due to intumescence in the event of a fire. Unlike mechanical dampers, it is a physical/chemical reaction that causes the closure to work. 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. In other words, cleaning (when necessary) and an age assessment comprise the inspection. The annulus of an intumescent damper is shut as per its certification listing, such that the intumescent can press against a shut frame to close the opening, thus eliminating annular smoke migration.

PFP/AFP Hybrid

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. However, whether an opening is mechanically closed or whether it is the physical/chemical action of an intumescent that does the work, the fact that they are activated by heat and then move to fulfill a fire safety function, also technically qualifies them to form part of active fire protection (AFP) systems.

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 for Ex-zone applications.

Depending on regional regulation, they are either tested to the same exposure as wall and floor building elements or tested slightly different such as for cable or pipe penetrations. In Europe, Sm or Sa classifications can be obtained for cold smoke resistance or cold and hot smoke resistance respectively. In the US, listing can be issued for use in wildfire exposure.

Contrary to dampers in ducts the closing time of ATFDs are crucial to avoid fire passing during the open state. For applications where direct flame penetration is not allowed through openings that are normally in open state, ATFDs must pass adequate standards. In the US, ASTM E2912 verify direct flame resistance in the open state and ASTM E119 for closed state.

Air transfer fire dampers for walls or floors are usually designed for flush installation and comes in multiple sizes. Dampers are listed for vertical or horizontal installation or both and for one- or two-way fire exposure. Performance may be fire rated resistance as the compartment they serve, with or without smoke resistance. In Europe, the harmonized ETAG 026 Part 4 apply to classification of ATFDs.

Air transfer fire dampers for doors are designed and tested for use in the lower part of door leaves and cannot be installed elsewhere or higher. In Europe, the fire door test EN 14600 and EN 1634-1 applies.

Air transfer fire dampers in facades are vents applied in wall, eave soffit, gable or foundation. In the US, these are used to protect from exterior fire exposure from neighboring structure or via window-, arson- and wildfire (ASTM E2912 plus ASTM E119) or against wildfire only (ASTM E2886). In Europe, air transfer grilles for walls can be applied externally once a national assessment of suitability for the application in regards of embers, direct flame impingement, environmental impacts etc. has been done.

Ventilating cavity fire barriers is a type of air transfer fire damper used in cavities or voids in constructions with natural ventilation, typically inside air gaps behind cladding. These are often subject to sudden direct flame impingement. In the US, ASTM E2912 cover testing, combined with E119 where required. A method to verify performance in the open state, similar to E2912, is being assessed in Europe by CEN.

Dampers for ducts applied as air transfer dampers: Allowances exist for use of duct dampers as air transfer fire dampers. Since these typically will be too hot, and even allow penetration of flames to the unexposed side during fire, they must be modified and classified for such application. To achieve this they are tested with a grid on either side to prevent combustibles to be stored too close to hot parts or flaming. Some jurisdictions prescribe a general grid for use in front of listed duct dampers, which are not listed for use without ductwork.

Fire damper inspections and maintenance

Fire damper deficiency: The installed annular clearance around the damper violates the certification listing
The damper's certification listing is violated because the damper shares the opening with other through-penetrants and the drywall fire-separation is not continuous.

In the US, the Joint Commission, State Fire Marshals and Other Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ's), require 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. Therefore, fire dampers that are not demonstrably maintained per regulations constitute fire code violations because installed but unmaintained fire dampers no longer comply with their certification listings.

In regions which enforce NFPA Standards (e.g., North America), fire dampers and combination fire/smoke dampers require inspection and testing one year after installation, and then every 4 years; except in hospitals, where the frequency shall be every 6 years.[1] Documentation indicating the location of the damper, date of inspection, name of inspector and deficiencies discovered is also required.[2]

Repairs should begin without delay if a damper is found inoperable.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows, section 19.4
  2. ↑ NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows
  3. ↑ NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows, section 19.5.3
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