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A facility manager’s guide to testing and

maintaining re dampers

A re damper is a device installed in ducts and air transfer openings of an

May 18, 2017 air distribution or smoke control system that is designed to close
Kent Maune automatically upon detection of heat. In doing so, the damper interrupts
migratory air ow, resists the passage of ame and maintains the integrity
of the re-rated separation.

The signi cant protection capabilities of re dampers to life and property are widely recognized by
facility managers. As a result, more and more authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and building
owners are requiring re dampers to be operationally tested and maintained on a regular basis. The
goal is to ensure that dampers will function when necessary to resist the spread of re.

Multiple standards de ne testing requirements

All dampers must be tested after installation, and then one year after installation or at the
commissioning under normal operating conditions prior to occupancy. Operational testing normally
involves removing or melting the fusible link and letting the damper close. After the damper closes, it is
reopened and the fuse link replaced. The following resources offer more speci c information about
testing:

NFPA 80, which is the National Fire Protection Association standard that regulates the
installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, oors
and ceilings against the spread of re and smoke within, into or out of buildings.
NFPA 105, which is the standard that prescribes the minimum requirements for smoke door
assemblies and smoke dampers used as a means to restrict the ow of smoke through openings to
provide safety to life and protection of property.
UL555, is an Underwriters Laboratories test standard that states the requirements of re dampers
that are intended for use where air ducts penetrate or terminate at openings in walls or partitions;
in air transfer openings in partitions; and where air ducts extend through oors, as speci ed in
the standard for installation of air conditioning and ventilating systems.
AMCA guide (from the Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.) for
commissioning and periodic performance testing of re, smoke and other life safety-related
dampers.

Testing and maintenance present challenges

For the facility manager, operational tests and regular maintenance can present two challenges:

First, most re dampers are installed in areas of the building that are not easily accessible. Instead, they
are often installed in penetrations of re-rated walls and oors, as required by the building code. Access
to the damper is normally through a small access door.

Second, the design of re dampers can make them extremely dif cult to test and reset. Static re
dampers, for example, are UL-tested but have not been proven to close against system air pressure and
velocity. On the other hand, dynamic re dampers are UL-tested and proven to close against system air
pressure and velocity.

Dynamic re dampers are becoming more popular with designers, as they may be used in either a static
system or dynamic system, while static dampers can only be used with static systems. For example,
some dampers are designed to prevent re from moving down a duct by closing upon detection of heat,
and may feature a single aerodynamic blade that operates in dynamic (fan on) or static mode (fan off).

Solutions to testing challenges

In most cases, a building will be occupied and access to the damper remains a problem. Use of a
motorized re damper or combination re smoke damper that can be operated from a remote, easily
accessible location can help, especially if it is equipped with position indication for operation
veri cation. Because it can be more easily maintained compared to a standard re damper, a motorized
re or re smoke damper contributes to maintenance and insurance savings. All motorized dampers are
dynamic rated and may be used in place of any static or dynamic curtain blade re damper.

Dynamic, multiple blade re dampers provide another solution to the access and maintenance issues
posed by dynamic curtain blade dampers. Multiple blade re dampers are easy to test and rest, because
the blades can be operated and held open via a hand lever or pair of pliers while the fuse link is
replaced. An additional solution for round ducts is the use of a true round re damper.

Other solutions to testing problems exist, including wireless damper inspection systems. For example,
a wireless damper inspector that uses radio frequency to cycle actuators of all life safety motorized
dampers, especially those that are installed in hard-to-reach or inaccessible locations.

An additional solution consists of a panel PC, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and pre-loaded
software. With automated damper equipment, the panel PC can communicate with the damper
interfaces to provide intelligent monitoring of motorized dampers and manual re dampers.

Damper alternatives make testing and maintenance easier

In summary, the testing and maintenance of re dampers, especially dynamic curtain re dampers, can
be extremely dif cult. However, alternative types of dynamic dampers can make testing and
maintenance easier. While the cost of these alternative dampers may initially be more than standard
dynamic re dampers, the savings can be realized in other areas, including maintenance and insurance.
Before designing around standard curtain type dynamic re dampers, it is recommended to check with
the AHJ and building owner to determine the testing and typical dynamic re damper maintenance
requirements.

Kent Maune has more than 30 years of experience at Ruskin

and is responsible for developing and marketing Ruskin’s
Commercial and Life Safety product lines. Acquired by
Johnson Controls in 2014, Ruskin is a worldwide leader in
manufacturing air control solutions. www.ruskin.com

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