How Do Fire Dampers Work?

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How Do Fire Dampers Work?

In general, a fire damper works when the heat from the fire causes the normal temperature of a room to rise to about 74°Celsius. The fusible link attached to the damper would then melt, causing the damper’s door to close. In rooms where the normal temperature of the room is consistently higher, a higher degree fusible link would be attached to the damper. These particular fusible links would melt at a temperature about 100°Celcius. There are two types of fire damper designs used to help prevent the spread of flames, a dynamic fire damper and a static fire damper.

Dynamic fire dampers:

Dynamic Fire Dampers are located in vertical barriers, where the HVAC system fan will stay on in the event of a fire. Because they are installed in vertical barriers, these particular fire dampers have a spring-loaded design. The spring-loaded design is where the doors of the damper have a spring like action when they are forced to shut. Since the HVAC system fan will remain on, the air pressure from the fan will help the doors of the damper to spring shut.

Static fire dampers:

Static Fire Dampers are located in barriers where the HVAC system fan will shut off in the event of a fire. These particular fire dampers would be installed in horizontal barriers, and would have a curtain like design. Since the HVAC system fan will turn off, there would be no air pressure and the door of the damper will fall due to gravity.

Understanding how do fire damper works can help you have a better understand of why inspecting and repairing fire dampers are so strictly enforced. It only takes about 30 seconds for a small flame to grow and become a major fire. By cutting off the passageways for flames to travel, the fire will be contained to one specific location.  With the holidays on their merry way, making sure that your facility is fire prepared is essential.

It may not seem like a big deal, especially with other fire protection features put in place. But fire and smoke can spread quickly, and one of the best ways for a smoke and flames to completely engulf a building is through the ventilation system. That’s why dampers have been specifically designed to help contain the fire as well as smoke to keep occupants safe while preventing unnecessary property damage. And as a facility manager you consistently hear that you need to have your facility’s fire and smoke dampers inspected and repaired. There are tons of great articles about the top reasons why dampers fail and how often they need to be inspected. It’s all important information, but here is what you should know about the actual dampers themselves?

There are three different kinds of dampers – fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination dampers.

Fire dampers prevent the spread of fire within the ductwork through fire-resistance rated walls and floors. They work when the heat from the fire causes the normal temperature of a room to rise to about 74°Celsius. That heat causes the fusible link, which is holding the damper open, to melt and allows the damper to be closed. There are two types of fire dampers:

  • Dynamic Fire Dampers – Are installed in vertical barriers, where the HVAC system fan will continue to blow in the event of a fire. Because the fan will stay on, the spring- loaded design helps the damper to spring shut against the air pressure.
  • Static Fire Dampers – Are installed in barriers where the HVAC system fan will shut off in the event of a fire. Because the fan will turn off, these dampers are designed like a curtain, allowing the damper to fall and shut due to gravity.

Smoke dampers resist the passage of air and smoke within the ductwork. They are typically operated by a smoke detector, which would also be located in the duct. Once smoke has been detected, the smoke detector sends a signal to the dampers’ actuator, which uses the jackshaft and linkage to open and close the blades of the smoke damper. There are two types of actuators:

  • Pneumatic Actuators – Need air to function properly
  • Electrical Actuators – Need power to function properly

To get the best of both worlds, combination dampers are used in areas where both fire and smoke barriers are located to prevent the passage of both fire and smoke between areas.

Dampers are a key component to your campuses overall fire and life safety plan. They help prevent the spread of fire and smoke by blocking access through the facility’s ventilation system. However, this means dampers are hidden from view, which means they are less likely to be though about. Dampers also have a tendency to frequently fail, which is why they must be maintained on a routine basis. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “Each damper shall be tested and inspected one year after installation” and “The test and inspection frequency shall then be every 5 years”.

Fire dampers are safety devices used in buildings to prevent the spread of fire. Fire dampers are usually a combination of mechanical and electrical components that sense heat and smoke and release air to extinguish the fire. Fire Dampers installation can be done in various building types, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Fire dampers are often installed in ceilings, walls, or floors to prevent the spread of fire from one area to another. They can be helpful in the event of a fire in a building’s structure or in its furnishings and equipment. In general, fire dampers are effective at containing fires and preventing injuries or damage to people or property.

Fire dampers are safety devices that are used to control the flow of fire in buildings and industrial facilities. The devices are made up of a series of interconnected chambers, each of which can be opened or closed to control the flow of air. When the chambers are open, they allow more room for the fire to spread, while when they are closed, they limit the amount of air available to support the fire. Fire dampers are typically used in industrial and commercial buildings as well as in residential homes and offices.

A fire damper is a piece of equipment used to regulate the flow of air in a building. It is designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a structure by regulating airflow. Fire dampers are typically made out of solid, often metal, material and are designed to close off an area or corridor when there is a potential for a fire to break out. They can be installed in stairwells, hallways, and other areas where there is high traffic or where it’s likely that a fire could spread quickly.

There are a variety of types of fire dampers, each with its own unique features and benefits. Some types are designed to prevent the spread of fire while others are used to contain it. Fire dampers can be made from a variety of materials, including steel, concrete, and stone. They can also be installed in a variety of ways, such as directly into the structure’s foundation or suspended off the floor. Determining which type of fire damper is best for your needs will depend on factors such as the level of risk associated with the area in which you wish to install it.

There are several different types of fire dampers. These can be either a physical barrier or a system of mechanical components that work to control the spread of fire. Some examples of types of fire dampers include:

  1. Fire doors – These are typically heavy metal doors with a hinged mechanism that can be opened to allow people to escape a fire.
  2. Firewalls – These are solid barriers made from fire-resistant materials such as stone or concrete that are designed to prevent the spread of fire into adjacent buildings.
  3. Fire suppression systems – These are often integrated into existing building systems and can include sprinkler systems, water supply lines, and other components designed to suppress the spread of fires in buildings.

A fire damper is a device that can be used to control the spread of a fire or to maintain a certain level of temperature in a room. It is typically made from metal and has holes or gaps that allow air to pass but not flames. These gaps can be adjusted to control the airflow, which allows the user to adjust the intensity of the heat in the room. A fire damper can be used in situations where there is a risk of uncontrolled fires, such as in hospitals and homes for seniors.