Introduction to Life-Safety

Dampers
Michael Bulzomi, product manager, commercial
dampers, Greenheck
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◦ Credit cannot be issued to anyone who does not complete the
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◦ A link to the evaluation will be provided at the end of the
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Attendance for the entire

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 DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this course is provided by AMCA International as an educational service and
is not intended to serve as professional engineering and/or manufacturing advice. The views and/or
opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the speaker(s) and do not necessarily
represent the views of AMCA International. In making this educational activity available, AMCA
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© AMCA International 2024

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Michael J. Bulzomi
Product Manager – Commercial Dampers,
AMCA Member Company
• Over 16 years experience in the HVAC industry
• Has held positions in sales, marketing and
application engineering across the U.S. for HVAC
product manufacturers and Sales Reps
• Holds an MBA, and a Bachelors in Earth Science
and Atmospheric Science
• Active member of ASHRAE, NFPA, and AMCA,
serving on multiple committees
 Learning Objectives

The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the different

types of Life Safety Dampers available and building code requirements
governing their use, installation, and inspection.

Explain the differences

Understand the code Describe various rating Identify proper and
between Fire, Smoke,
mandated testing & criteria for Life Safety improper installation
and Combination
inspection requirements Dampers. methods
Fire/Smoke Dampers.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Directory

All UL life-safety products are listed in the UL directory

www.UL.com
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 Purpose of
Life-Safety Dampers
• Containment
– Building codes require life-safety dampers to
protect duct penetrations through rated
construction
– Fire- and smoke-rated construction is used to
“compartmentalize” a building into fire &
smoke zones to prevent the spread of fire

• Engineered Smoke-Control Systems

– Smoke and fire/smoke dampers can be used as
part of an engineered smoke-control system to
evacuate smoke and/or pressurize zones
adjacent to a fire
 Fire Dampers

Smoke Dampers

Life-Safety
Damper Combination Fire/Smoke Dampers

Types
Corridor Dampers

Ceiling Radiation Dampers

 Fire Dampers
“A device, installed in an air distribution system, designed to close automatically upon detection
of heat, to interrupt migratory airflow, and to restrict the passage of flame.” (NFPA 80)
 Why Do We Need Fire Dampers?
Principles of Protection:
• Containment and Compartmentation – limit spread of fire
• Provide effective fire-resistive continuity to allow for egress
in fire event
• “Defend in place” strategy, especially in healthcare and
similar occupancies

Lessons Learned…
Major U.S. fire incidents shaped modern-day code
requirements:
• MGM Grand Hotel Fire (1980)
 MGM Grand Hotel Fire
Nov. 21, 1980
85 people died, more than 700 injured
~$223 million in legal settlements
• Area of origin was “The Deli,” an area that was vacant
and closed. Faulty wiring in a display case caused the
initial fire.
• Fire spread rapidly because of the ignition of
wallpaper, PVC piping, glue, and plastic mirrors.
• Toxic fumes/smoke spread because of faulty smoke
dampers within the ventilation ductwork and
throughout the air-circulation system.
“Dampers in the main unit over the
casino were … bolted in such a manner as
to make them inoperable.”

Source: "MGM Fire Investigation Report“, Clark County Fire Department

 Fire Dampers
Maintain the fire-resistance rating of fire walls, barriers, and partitions when penetrated by
air-duct or transfer openings.
 Fire Dampers: How do they work?

Typical Fusible Link

Curtain Fire Damper

Multi-Blade Fire Damper
 Fire Damper Transition Types

Type A (No Transition) Type B Type C

Frame and blades in the air Blades out of the airstream Square Transition collar
stream

Type C damper have blades

and frame out of the
airstream for maximum free
area. They are available in
low pressure and high
pressure (sealed) casings.
Type CR Type CO
Round transition collar Flat oval transition collar
 Fire Dampers: UL Rating Qualifications

Mounting Position
Vertical
Static or Dynamic (Walls/Partitions)
Hourly Rating Installation
or Horizontal
1-1/2 hr. or 3 hr. (Ceilings/Floors) “In Wall” or “Out
of Wall”
 Fire Dampers: Static vs. Dynamic

“Fans Off” during “Fans On” during

fire emergency = fire emergency =
STATIC System DYNAMIC System
(i.e. Smoke Control system)
Velocity/Pressure Rating – min. 2000 fpm @ 4 in. w.g.
 Smoke Dampers
“A device within the air distribution system to control the movement of smoke.” (NFPA 105)
 Why Do We Need Smoke Dampers?

According to NFPA, smoke is the major Sprinklers certainly help to extinguish a

killer in fire-related deaths (i.e., MGM fire, but they cannot contain the smoke
Grand Casino). generated by the fire.
Building occupants can be jeopardized by smoke
traveling far from a fire’s origin.
 Smoke Dampers: UL Rating Qualifications

Leakage Pressure Fail Position

Class Velocity Operational Open or
4, 6, 8 in
I, II (or III*) Temperature Closed
2000, 3000, w.g.
4000 fpm 250 oF or
350 oF
Smoke Dampers:
Leakage Class
UL 555S classifications:
◦ Class I (8 cfm/sq ft @ 4 in. w.g.)
◦ Class (20 cfm/sq ft @ 4 in. w.g.)
◦ Class III* (80 cfm/sq ft @ 4 in. w.g.)
“Amount of Time” to Fill a Room with
Smoke Based on Leakage Class

Class I = 100 minutes

Class II =
Class III = 10 minutes
 Passive Smoke Control System
Compartmentation (containment) has a long history of providing protection from the passage of
heat, flame, and smoke.
◦ Implemented by use of walls, floor-ceiling assemblies, doors, dampers, and other building elements with fire
resistance ratings of ½ hour, 1 hour, 2 hours, and so on…

Compartmentalize the building into individual zones, each of which establishes a passive barrier to
smoke.
◦ Shutdown fans
◦ Close smoke dampers and smoke doors
◦ Prevents the circulation of air and smoke through the HVAC system.
Engineered Smoke-Control System
 Combination Fire/Smoke Dampers
“A device that meets both the fire damper and smoke damper requirements.” (NFPA 80/105)
 Purpose of Fire/Smoke Damper
• Provide the same level of
protection as individual fire
and smoke dampers
• Fire rating – UL 555
• Leakage rating – UL 555S
• Always supplied with factory-
mounted actuator
• Always dynamically rated
 Fire/Smoke Dampers:
UL Rating Qualifications
Mounting Position
Vertical
Static or Dynamic Installation
Hourly Rating (Walls/Partitions)
or Horizontal “In Wall” or “Out
1-1/2 hr. or 3 hr.
(Ceilings/Floors) of Wall”

Leakage Pressure Operational Fail Position

Class Velocity 4, 6, 8 in Temperature Open or
I, II (or III*) 2000, 3000, w.g. 250 oF or Closed
4000 fpm 350 oF
 Corridor Dampers
• Fire/smoke dampers that have been
designed for use in corridors.
• “Corridor” is a means of egress travel to an
exit, typically found in hospitals.
• There are additional test requirements
for Corridor Dampers in UL555 and
they carry a 1-hr rating when certified.
• Most commonly used in California.
 Smoke & Fire/Smoke Actuators
• Actuators must be factory installed, per UL.
• Electric (120V, 24V, 230V) or Pneumatic.
• Two position (open/closed) and Modulating (Balancing) types.
• Different torque ratings, selection based on tested size of assembly.
• May be externally or internally mounted.
 Ceiling Radiation Dampers
“A device installed to limit radiant heat transfer through an air outlet or air inlet opening in
the ceiling of a floor or roof-ceiling assembly having not less than a 1 hour fire resistance
rating.” (NFPA 90A)
 Why Do We Need
Ceiling Dampers?
Ceiling radiation dampers protect the structural
integrity of floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling
assemblies.
Falling through roofs/floors is a common cause
of injury and death among firefighters.
 Fire Damper vs. Ceiling Damper
• Limits spread of flame (UL • Limits radiant heat (UL 555C
555) /UL 263)
• Rated walls/floors/partitions • Approved floor/ceiling or
roof/ceiling assemblies only
 Codes &
Standards
 “I” Codes

• First published in 2000, combo of 3 legacy codes: BOCA National Building Code
(BOCA/NBC), Uniform Building Code (UBC) & Standard Building Code (SBC)
• IBC – design of building; IMC – design of mechanical systems; IFC – regulate fire
hazards, testing, maintenance in existing buildings
 International Building Code (IBC)
à Ch. 7 – Fire & Smoke Protection Features

à Sec. 717 – Ducts & Air Transfer Openings

• Baseline requirements:
• Dampers must be listed & labeled to
applicable UL standard
• Dampers must be installed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions

• Defines the type of damper required to protect

penetrations through each type of rated building
element
Where Life-Safety Dampers Are Required
Sec. 717.5
• 717.5.1 Fire Walls
• 717.5.2 Fire Barriers
• 717.5.3 Shaft Enclosures
• 717.5.4 Fire Partitions (includes corridors)
• 717.5.5 Smoke Barriers
• 717.5.6 Exterior Walls
• 717.5.7 Smoke Partitions
IBC - Chapter 7
Section 717.5
Ducts & Air Transfer
Openings
“The provisions of this section
shall govern the protection of duct
penetrations and air transfer
openings in assemblies required
to be protected and duct
penetrations in non-fire-
resistance-rated floor assemblies”.
Damper Test Requirements - IBC
 Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Testing, evaluation, and certification
◦ UL 555 - Standard for Fire Dampers
◦ UL 555S - Standard for Smoke Dampers
◦ UL 555C - Standard for Ceiling Radiation Dampers

UL’s “follow-up service” ensures that

dampers are factory built as they were
tested
 Ceiling Damper Test Standards
Tested and listed to either UL 555C or UL 555C & UL 263.
UL 555C UL 263
CRDs listed to this standard can be Part of a complete assembly, which
used anywhere “hinged-door” type includes all of the elements of the
dampers are allowed. floor or roof/ceiling design. Only the
specified damper can be used in
Intended for use in sheet-metal-air- that specific design.
duct outlets, typically in suspended
ceilings. Intended for use in wood-truss or
wood-joist ceilings.
Hourly Fire-Resistance Ratings
IBC Table 717.3.2.1

2-hour assembly rating = 1.5-hour-rated damper

3-hour assembly rating = 3-hour-rated damper
4-hour assembly rating = 3-hour-rated damper
 Fire Damper Operation
• Static
• Used in duct systems or penetrations where the
HVAC system is automatically shut down in the
event of a fire.

• Dynamic
• To be used in applications where fans will be on
during a fire incident. Air-Transfer Opening
 Periodic
Testing &
Inspection
Requirements
Periodic Testing & Inspection Requirements
International Fire Code (IFC)
Requires fire dampers to be maintained
in accordance with NFPA 80 and
smoke dampers to be maintained in
accordance with NFPA 105.
 National Fire Protection Association
Installation, testing, and maintenance:
◦ NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors

◦ NFPA 105 Standard for Smoke Doors

◦ NFPA 90A Standard for Installation of Air-

Conditioning and Ventilating Systems

◦ NFPA 92 Standard for Smoke-Control Systems

 Operational Testing
NFPA 80 – Fire Dampers
“After the installation of a damper is
completed, an operational test shall be
conducted.”

NFPA 105 – Smoke Dampers

“An operational test shall be conducted
after the building’s HVAC system has
been balanced.”
 Periodic Testing
Frequency

• “Each damper shall be tested and

inspected 1 year after installation.”

• “The test and inspection frequency

shall then be every 4 years, except
in buildings containing a hospital,
where the frequency shall be every
6 years.”
Damper
Performance
 Damper Pressure Drop
AMCA-Certified Pressure-Drop Data Five tested sizes
• 12”x12”
AMCA Figure 5.5 • 24”x24”
AMCA Figure 5.2
• 36”x36”
• 12”x48”
• 48”x12”
AMCA Figure 5.3
 Damper Pressure Drop
5D

Fig. 5.5 Fig. 5.2

(Plenum Mount) (Ducted Inlet)

5D 6D

Fig. 5.3
(Ducted Inlet & Outlet)
 Damper Pressure Drop
• Example Pressure-Drop Specification:
Pressure drop shall not exceed 0.08” wc at 2,000-fpm velocity for a 12” x 12”
damper tested to AMCA Figure 5.3. Dampers shall bear the AMCA Certified
Ratings Program seal for Air Performance in accordance with AMCA 511.
Damper
Installation
 Required Elements of an
“Approved” Life-Safety-Damper Installation
1. Rated barrier

2. Listed product

3. Installation requirements
Square Opening
Framing Requirements
Framing of Opening
◦ Vertical studs must run floor to ceiling
◦ Double vertical over 36 in. x 36 in.
◦ Wood studs must be covered with sheet
rock
◦ Steel studs do not need to be covered with
sheet rock
 Typical Installation – Fire Damper
① UL-Classified Fire Damper - Dynamic or Static
1-1/2-hr label—for fire separations up to 2 hr
3-hr label—for fire separations up to 4 hr
② Fire Separation
③ Retaining Angles
④ Breakaway Joint
⑤ Sleeve (duct gauge min. SMACNA/NFPA 90A spec.)
⑥ Expansion Clearance
⑦ UL-Listed Heat-Responsive Device (fusible link)
⑧ Duct
⑨ Access Door
 Typical Installation – Fire/Smoke Damper
1. UL-classified as both a dynamic fire damper and a
leakage-rated smoke damper
2. UL-qualified damper/actuator assembly
Pneumatic or Electric Actuators
3. Fire separation and smoke barrier
4. Retaining angles
5. Expansion clearance
6. Sleeve
7. Breakaway joint
8. Steel duct
9. Access door
10. UL-listed heat-responsive device
Retaining Angle
Two sided
◦ Attached to the damper sleeve on both
sides

Single sided
◦ Attached to the damper sleeve and
wall/floor
◦ 80 x 50 or 50 x 80 or
40 x 100 on vertical mount
◦ 144 x 96 on horizontal mount
 Typical Installation – Smoke Damper
① UL-classified leakage-rated smoke damper
② UL-qualified actuator/damper assembly
Pneumatic or Electric Actuators
③ Smoke barrier
④ Duct

⑤ First duct outlet

⑥ Access door
 Access Doors
NFPA 105 NFPA 80
◦ Dampers equipped with fusible links and/or internal ◦ The damper access panel shall be labeled the words
operators shall be provided with an access door that “Fire Damper”, “Smoke Damper”, or “Fire Smoke
is not less than 12 in.² or provided with removable Damper” in letters not less than 1 in. height.
duct section.
 Alternative Installation Methods
3 Sided Retaining Angle Installation Method
• The retaining angle may be omitted from any of the four sides
• UL approved
 True Round Life-Safety Dampers

DFDR-510 FSDR-510
True Round True Round
Dynamic Fire Damper Fire Smoke Damper
Retaining Plate The Opening in the Wall
Included with the Damper Does Not Have to be
Round!
Installation Books & QR codes
Questions
To receive PDH credit, you must complete
the post-course evaluation