Fire dampers are a form of ductwork fitting. They are generally used when there is a fire-resistant wall in the building. Ductworks provide a conduit through which fire and smoke can escape from one room to another. Fire dampers are what will prevent these flames and smoke from passing through.
These ductwork fittings are often made of galvanised steel. The dampers can be vertical or horizontal in terms of how they close the duct. Each is designed for different applications.
Fire Damper Types:
- Dynamic – these particular fire dampers are mounted vertically and operate on a spring-loaded mechanism. During a fire, the spring mechanism is disengaged, and the damper doors close shut. The fan in the damper system continues to operate and create pressure. This pressure keeps the fire dampers closed.
- Static – these fire dampers are mounted in horizontal barriers and feature a curtain-shaped design. In the event of a fire, the damper curtain drops down, blocking the spread of heat, flames, and smoke. These dampers are mounted where the duct fans cannot function if a fire is detected.
- Fire/Smoke – these dampers are designed to contain both fire and smoke. In most cases, these are the ones you need. However, in some cases, this may not be true. In some cases, you may want to allow smoke to escape from the room to alert others without starting a fire.
But how will the fire damper “know” that there is a fire in the room? Well, that brings us to our next topic.
How Does a Fire Damper Works
There are various options to choose from. You can choose hard-wired systems for certain rooms and programmable systems for others. Hard-wired fire dampers operate without a command from a sensor; they work independently. Programmable solutions, on the other hand, can be controlled remotely and can be programmed in such a way that the process is fully automated. In the event of a fire, it is possible that the power lines will be cut, and mechanically engaged fire dampers will be required.
Due to the important safety features of these devices, they must be regularly checked and maintained. The maintenance of fusible link-operated fire dampers consists of checking that the link is still present and that it is not covered with dirt and dust. Fire dampers with circuits should be tested more often. The physical examination of the dampers should be carried out regularly, even if the tests are positive.
If you are building a ductwork or HVAC system, be sure to include fire dampers in your designs. If you are unsure of which way to go, please contact us.
