Fire dampers form part of passive fire protection and are fitted inside the structure of a building. They are fitted in the HVAC ducts to prevent the spread of fire. These ducts are made of galvanized steel that closes during the rise of heat in times of fire. The fire dampers can be of 3types- dynamic, static and fire/smoke dampers. They are important to limit the spread of fire in other areas of the building.
2. What are fire dampers?
Fire dampers are part of passive fire
protection system. They are fitted in heating,
ventilation and air-conditioning ducts to
prevent the spread of fire. They are usually
installed inside the structure of a building
through fire-resistant walls and floors.
3. Inspection
A fire damper needs to be checked and
inspected regularly by a trained individual
according to the guidelines of Fire Safety
Codes. A fire damper maintenance should
be carried out at least once in a month to avid
any unwanted circumstances in a building.
4. Importance
The main purpose of a fire damper is to
prevent the spread of fire in a building. It
redirects the fire towards the fire
compartment- a room that is filled with fire-
retardant materials. This helps people to
evacuate from the building giving them more
time.
5. Working
A fire damper closes automatically when the
temperature reaches beyond the threshold
limit. The damper can be activated
mechanically or manually. Fire dampers
without circuits or sensors rely on fusible link.
The link will melt in case of a fire due to heat,
letting the fire damper to close.
6. Types
There are 3types of fire dampers- Dynamic,
Static and Fire/Smoke Dampers. A dynamic
fire damper operates in vertical barriers and
have a spring-loaded mechanism. A static
damper operate in horizontal barriers and
have curtain-like mechanism. Fire/smoke
dampers are designed to limit fire or smoke in
a building.
7. Material Used
The fittings of fire dampers are always of
galvanized steel. They are used to prevent the
spread of fire in a building through the ducts. A
fire damper maintenance should be done by a
competent person on regular basis. The ducts
are made of steel as steel is a poor conductor
of heat.
