LIFE SAFETY DAMPERS
CODES, STANDARDS &
INSTALLATIONS
ASHRAE
ILLINOIS
CHAPTER
MARCH 8TH, 2011
Life Safety Damper Seminar
Seminar #1 by Kyle Schultz
Codes, Standards & Testing
Seminar #2 by Wally Kurzeja
Review of Fire Damper, Smoke Damper & Fire/Smoke Damper Fundamentals
Installation Requirements
UL Tour
Seminar #3 by James Livingston
Air Control Considerations for energy conservation and BMS integration
Fire/Smoke damper performance
Fire/Life Safety Products
Fire Dampers
Smoke Dampers
Combination Fire Smoke Dampers
Ceiling Dampers
Codes and Standards-
Who’s Who?
NFPA, National Fire Protection Association (Installation Standards)
NFPA-90A (Installation in HVAC systems)
NFPA-92A (Smoke Control Systems)
NFPA 101- Life Safety Code
UL, Underwriter’s Laboratories (Testing standards) –UL 555, 555S, 555C
Building Codes (Locations)
Partial application detail from
NFPA 90A
UL, What do they do?
Independent Testing Lab
Tests and Classifies Fire Resistive Materials and Products
Follow Up Service (in plant inspections)
UL Standards
555 Fire damper test standard (6th edition)
555S Smoke damper test standard (4th edition)
555C Ceiling radiation damper test standard (1st edition)
Product Directories
Building Code
Requirements or Where are
the Dampers?
Code Location Requirements
Who’s Who? Building Codes-
Local Authorities
International Code- most suburbs
IBC2003,2006,2009
BOCA- still around some suburbs
IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health)
Life Safety Code, NFPA 101
City of Chicago Building Code
2011 Building Code (still does not mention fire
dampers) Mechanical, Electrical and Energy
Conservation sections have been updated
Where are the Dampers?
Code Location Requirements
Occupancy Separation Walls
Shaft Enclosures
Stairwells
Mechanical Rooms
Building Exterior Walls
Exit Corridors
Atrium Enclosure Elements
Elevator Lobbies
Horizontal Assemblies
Occupancy Separation Walls
Occupancy Classifications
IBC Chapter 4
Occupancy Classification
Description Group(s)
Assembly A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5
Business B
Educational E
Factory and Industrial F-1 and F-2
High Hazard H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5
Institutional I-1, I-2, I-3 and I-4
Mercantile M
Residential R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3.1 and R-4
Storage S-1 and S-2
Utility and Miscellaneous U
Fire Barriers (SECTION 707)
Table 707.3.9
Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements For Fire Barriers Assemblies
or Horizontal Assemblies Between Fire Areas
Occupancy Group Fire-Resistance Rating (hours)
H-1, H-2 4
F-1, H-3, S-1 3
A, B, E, F-2, H-4, H-5, I, M, R, S-1 2
U 1
Fire Barrier – A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of
materials designed to restrict the spread in which continuity
is maintained.
Occupancy Separation (partial)
Chicago Code 13-56-280
IBC Chapters
IBC Chapter 1
Scope and Administration
IBC Chapter 2
Definitions
IBC Chapter 3
Use and Occupancy Classification
IBC Chapter 4
Special Use and Occupancy
IBC Chapter 6
Types of Construction
IBC Chapter 7
Fire and Smoke Protection Features
IBC Chapter 9
Fire Protection System
International Mechanical Code
IMC Sections
513- Smoke Control Systems
606- Smoke Detection Systems
607- Duct and Air Transfer
Openings
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION
LOCATIONS
Exterior Walls
Fire Walls
Fire Barriers
Shaft Enclosures
Elevator Lobbies
Fire Partitions
Corridors
Horizontal Assemblies
Smoke Barriers & Partitions
Duct and Transfer Openings
EXTERIOR WALLS (SECTION 705)
Fire-Resistance Rating, tables 601 & 602
Occupancy
Construction type
Distance from other structures
Ducts/ Air Transfer openings are
protected and shall comply with section
716
FIRE DAMPER required with exceptions
FIRE WALLS (SECTION 706)
Table 706.4
Fire Wall Fire-Resistance Ratings
Group Fire-Resistance Rating (Hours)
A, B, E, H-4, I, R-1, R-2, U 3a
F-1, H-3b, H-5, M, S-1 3
H-1, H-2 4b
F-2, S-2, R-3, R-4 2
a. Walls shall be not less than 2-hour fire resistance rated where separating buildings of Type II or V
construction.
b. For Groups H-1, H-2 or H-3 buildings, also see Sections 415.4 and 415.5.
Fire Wall – A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings, which
restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to
or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to
allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.
FIRE WALLS (SECTION 706)
Used to create separate buildings
(Party walls)
Ducts/ Air Transfer openings are
protected and shall comply with
section 716
FIRE DAMPER required
SMOKE DAMPER required when fire
wall serves as a horizontal exit.
FIRE BARRIERS (SECTION 707)
Table 707.3.9
Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements For Fire Barriers Assemblies
or Horizontal Assemblies Between Fire Areas
Occupancy Group Fire-Resistance Rating (hours)
H-1, H-2 4
F-1, H-3, S-1 3
A, B, E, F-2, H-4, H-5, I, M, R, S-1 2
U 1
Fire Barrier – A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of
materials designed to restrict the spread in which continuity
is maintained.
FIRE BARRIERS (SECTION 707)
Fire Barriers are used for:
Occupancy Separation
Shaft Enclosures
Exit Enclosures
Exit Passageways
Horizontal Exit
Atriums
Control Areas
Fire Areas
FIRE BARRIERS (SECTION 707)
Ducts/ Air Transfer openings are
protected and shall comply with
Section 716
FIRE DAMPER required with
exceptions
SMOKE DAMPER required when
fire barrier serves as a horizontal
exit
SHAFT ENCLOSURES (SECTION 707)
Fire-Resistance Rating
Constructed as a Fire Barrier or Horizontal Assembly
Enclosure at the Bottom
Enclosure at the Top.
Opening in the top are not allowed.
Shaft Enclosure – The wall or construction forming the
boundaries of a shaft. An enclosed space extending through one or
more stories of a building, connecting vertical openings in successive
floors, or floors and roof.
SHAFT ENCLOSURES (SECTION 707)
FIRE DAMPER required (exceptions)
Steel 22” Sub-Duct with
continuous upward air flow
Parking garage
Kitchen, Clothes Dryer Exhaust
ducts
Ducts/ Air Transfer openings are protected and
shall comply with Section 716
SHAFT ENCLOSURES (SECTION 707)
SMOKE DAMPER required
(exceptions)
Combination Fire/Smoke Dampers
can be used (exceptions)
Parking garage
Kitchen, Clothes Dryer Exhaust ducts
ELEVATOR LOBBY (SECTION 707.14.1)
Fire-Resistance Rating of minimum of 1 hour
Constructed as a Fire Partition or Smoke Partition
FIRE DAMPER required (exceptions)
SMOKE DAMPER required (exceptions)
Elevator Lobby – An enclosed elevator lobby shall
be provided at each floor where an elevator shaft
enclosure connects more than three stories. An
elevator lobby is an area of refuge.
FIRE PARTITIONS (SECTION 708)
Fire Partitions are used for:
Walls Separating Dwelling Units
Walls Separating Sleeping Units
Walls Separating Tenant Spaces in Covered Malls
Corridor Walls
Elevator Lobby Separation
Fire Partition – A vertical assembly of materials
designed to restrict the spread of fire in which
openings are protected.
FIRE PARTITIONS (SECTION 708)
Fire-Resistance Rating
1 Hour Rating
Ducts/ Air transfer openings are
protected and shall comply with section
716
FIRE DAMPER required (exceptions)
SMOKE DAMPER required for Corridors
(exceptions)
CORRIDOR ENCLOSURE (SECTION 716)
Fire-Resistance Rating
1 Hour Rating
Ducts/ Air transfer openings are
protected and shall comply with section
716
SMOKE DAMPER required (exceptions)
FIRE DAMPER required (exceptions)
Corridor – An enclosed exit access compartment that
defines and provides a path of egress travel to an exit.
HORIZONTAL ASSEMBLIES
(SECTION 712)
Horizontal Assemblies are used for:
Floor assembly separates mixed occupancies
Floor assembly separates a single occupancy
into different fire areas
Floor assemblies separating dwelling units in
the same building and horizontal assemblies
separating sleeping units
Horizontal Assembly – A fire-resistance-rated floor or roof
assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire
in which continuity is maintained.
HORIZONTAL ASSEMBLIES (SECTION 712)
Fire-resistance rating varies Minimum 1 hour
Ducts/ Air Transfer openings shall comply with Section 716
Trough penetrations – Fire Damper required or Combination Fire/Smoke Damper (exceptions)
Membrane penetrations – Ceiling roof assemblies Ceiling Radiation Dampers (exceptions)
Non-fire resistance-rated assemblies – FIRE DAMPER (exception)
SMOKE BARRIERS (SECTION 710)
Smoke Barrier are used for Institutional
Group I
I-1 – Housing clients, on a 24 hour basis, live
in a supervised residential environment that
provides personal care service
I-2 – Medical, surgical, psychiatric, nursing or
custodial care on a 24 hour basis.
I-3 – Inhabited by one or more persons who
are under restraint
I-4 – Day care facilities
Smoke Barrier – A continuous membrane, either vertical or
horizontal, such as a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly, which is
designed and constructed to restrict the movement of smoke.
SMOKE BARRIERS (SECTION 710)
Fire-Resistance Rating 1 Hour Rating
Ducts/ Air transfer openings are protected and shall comply with section 716
SMOKE DAMPER required (exceptions)
FIRE DAMPER (exceptions)
Smoke Barrier – A continuous membrane, either vertical or
horizontal, such as a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly, which is
designed and constructed to restrict the movement of smoke.
SMOKE PARTITIONS (SECTION 710)
Smoke Partitions are used for:
Corridor Walls
I-1 – Housing clients
I-2 – Medical, surgical, psychiatric,
nursing or custodial care
I-3 – Inhabited by one or more persons
who are under restraint
I-4 – Day care facilities
Smoke Partition – A continuous membrane, either vertical
or horizontal, such as a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly,
which is designed and constructed to restrict the movement
of smoke.
SMOKE PARTITIONS (SECTION 710)
Fire-Resistance Rating
Not Required
Ducts/ Air transfer openings are protected and shall comply with section 716
SMOKE DAMPER required
FIRE DAMPER (Not Required)
Special Inspection and Testing Requirements
Design requirements
Analysis
Temperatures, winds, stack effect
Airflow design methods
Pressurization
Airflow velocity
Exhaust method
Chicago Code 18-28-513 refers to section 18-9-909 ( editors note: does not exist)
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
IBC 909 IMC 513
SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
IBC 909 IMC 513
Equipment
Fans
Ducts
Dampers
Power systems
Smoke control panel
Stair pressurization
DUCT & AIR TRANSFER OPENING
Fire damper testing, ratings, link temperatures
Smoke damper leakage classifications, actuators
Access door requirements
Ceiling radiation damper
Chicago Code Section 18-28-607 refers to 18-7-716 (does not exist)
IBC Section 716
IMC Section 607
OTHER FIRE DAMPER REFERENCES
IMC
HAZARD EXHAUST DUCTS (Section 510)
Fire dampers are prohibited CLOTHES DRYER EXHAUST (Section 504)
Fire dampers are prohibited GREASE DUCT PENETRATION (Section 505 through 507)
Fire dampers are not used DUST COLLECTION (Section 511)
Fire dampers are not usually applicable
Guillotine type fire dampers may be acceptable
QUESTIONS?
Fire Damper Fundamentals
Designed to STOP the passage of flame
Fire Dampers
A Device:
Installed in a fire-rated wall or floor
Interrupts airflow automatically through
part of an air system
Close automatically in the event of fire
Maintain the integrity of the fire-rated
separation
Part of the wall not the duct work
Restrict the Passage of FLAME
Fusible Links
Hold open damper under normal conditions
Designed to “melt” at certain temperatures, typically 165, 212, 265, 286 degrees, allowing the damper to close
Per NFPA 90A, links shall be used that will open at approximately 50 degrees above normal operating temperature
Fire Damper Ratings
1 1/2 Hour
3 Hour
NFPA-90A Chapter 5 …protected openings with fire resistance ratings of less
than 3 hours shall have 1 ½-hour fire protection…
3 hours or more shall have a 3-hour fire protection…
Ratings
What hourly rated damper do I install in a 2
hour wall? (NFPA-90A)
What hourly rated damper do I install in a 4
hour wall? (NFPA-90A)
1-1/2 hour
3 hour
Types
Static Fire Dampers “Fans Off” Systems
Not required to close under airflow or
pressure
Dynamic Fire Dampers “Fans On” Systems
New UL Standard 555 1999 (6th edition)
Tested to close with heated air, 2000 fpm, 4”
sp
New stringent testing requirements limits
the available sizes, also may require extra
heavy duty springs
Types
Vertical
Wall mount
Horizontal ductwork
Horizontal
Floor mount
Vertical ductwork
Spring assist to close
Types
IBD (interlocking blade) Type
Curtain style
Gravity close or spring assisted
Vertical and/or Horizontal
Multi-Blade
Spring loaded blades held open by fusible link
Larger dynamic rated sizes available
Typical Installation –
Access Doors
Per NFPA 90A , Duct access doors must
be provided adjacent to fire dampers
Allows service and replacement of
fusible links
Must be large enough for resetting of
links, If duct size allows, minimum 16
x18” size, for smaller ducts, no minimum
listed
Removable inlet or outlet
openings/grilles allowed in lieu of doors
“Typical”
Fire Damper Installation
FD Must be installed
in a sleeve and be
located within the
plane of the wall/floor
Sleeve is held in place
with mounting angles
Ductwork is
connected to the
sleeve with either
break-away or solid
connection
“Typical”
Fire Damper Installation
Sleeves can be
factory provided
or contractor
fabricated
Angles can be
factory provided
or contractor
fabricated
Style A
Fuse Link
Interlocking
Blades
Frame
Style B
Duct Connection
B
H
A
Style C damper
Jackshaft Over Center Link Fuse Link
Multi-Blade Jamb Seal
Blade Seal
Spring
B Hood
DIBD2 Dynamic rated Style B
Blade
Catch
Mounting
Label
Closure
Springs
“Typical”
Fire Damper Installation
Sleeve Length
Gauge
Expansion Gap
Orientation Damper position
Labels
Floor/Wall
Mounting Angles
Breakaway or Rigid Connections
“Typical” Fire Damper Installation
Sleeve
Length –extend 3”-6” beyond wall/floor Gauge
Breakaway connection- equal to or greater than duct ga.
Solid connection- 16 gauge < 36x24, 14 gauge > 36x24
Expansion Gap- 1/8” per foot 1/4” minimum
Orientation
Damper position- Air Flow Direction labels, Up Arrows
Floor/Wall- Horizontal or Vertical
Mounting Angles- minimum 1-1/2” 20 ga. Both sides, must overlap opening by 1”, fasten to sleeve, not wall
Breakaway Connections-”s” slip, flanged breakaway, minimum amount of screws allowed, only approved sealants can be used.
“Non - Typical”
Fire Damper Installations
Some manufacturers have developed
and UL tested unique products to
meet installation difficulties
One side angles
Out of the wall dampers
Grille dampers
Integral sleeves and angles
Always have the UL installation
details available at the jobsite for
local inspectors
One Side Angle
Used in applications where access is
limited on both sides
Angle attaches to wall
Size limitations
Out of Wall or Concrete
Floor
•Angle one side
•Fire resistant
insulation
•Sleeve attached to
inside of opening
FD’s Grille Application
Single section
sizes
Max. size-36”x
36”
Damper in Wall
Must be 6” wall
Grille By Others
QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?
CEILING RADIATION DAMPERS
Designed to STOP the spread of flame and heat
Ceiling Dampers
A Device: Protects the HVAC penetrations in ceiling
membranes
Available for more than 20 years
Misapplications are widespread
Prevents the spread of Flame and Heat.
Ratings
Assembly Rating of 3 Hours or Less
Key Word is Assembly
UL Rated Ceiling Design
Types
Surface Mount Gypboard
Grille
Types
Lay-In Acoustical Panel
Diffuser
QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?
SMOKE DAMPERS
Actuator
Required! Designed to STOP the passage of smoke
Smoke Damper
A Device:
Installed in a duct which penetrates a smoke
barrier
Seals duct against smoke leakage
Passive
Dynamic
Limited multiple section maximum sizes
Leakage Rated to UL555S
*Fire Dampers tested to UL555 do not qualify*
Smoke Damper Installation
No Openings Between
Barrier and Damper
No sleeve required
Smoke Dampers
Dynamic
Leakage Classes
Class I, II, III & IV
Blade & Jamb Seals
Airflow Both
Directions
QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?
Fire Smoke Dampers
Designed to STOP the passage of flame and smoke
Fire Smoke Dampers
(FSD)
Combines the performance of a Fire Damper and a Smoke Damper
Installed in partitions rated as both fire and smoke barriers
In many ways it installs like a curtain type fire damper
*Older Codes do not specifically mention fire/smoke dampers*
Separate fire dampers and smoke dampers could be used
Ratings
Tested and rated as both a fire damper and smoke damper
1 1/2 hour
3 hour
Leakage Class I,II,III,IV
Fire/Smoke Damper Operation
Under standard operation, the damper will close upon elevated temperature or from a loss in smoke control signal
Closing on elevated temperature will require manual re-setting of linkage
Dynamic smoke control systems will require remote operation to re-open the damper even upon fire closure. This will require additional controls.
Dynamic Smoke
Management Systems
FSD Installation
Vertical
Horizontal
Not Centered
Mounting
Maximum Size
Sleeves
Mounting Angles
QUESTIONS?
Suggested website links
iccsafe.org
ul.com – certifications - UL category
code “EMME” (Manufacturer’s
damper certification listing)
nfpa.org
ruskin.com
Underwriter’s Laboratories Tour
UL555C Ceiling Dampers
Fire Test
Flame Exposure
Radiation Test
Heat Stop
Cycle Test & Salt Spray
Operation Reliability
Ceiling Fire Damper Test Standard
Tanks filled with water to simulate load on ceiling
assembly
After approx. 1 hour gypsum board has fallen
CFD remains in place… Successful Test !
DUCT DROP TEST
Damper is cycled to confirm operability
Thank You!
Working Together For Life Safety!
Ruskin Co. &
You!
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