Building and fire codes require fire and smoke protection features to safeguard building occupants from fire hazards and hazards associated with smoke and hot toxic gases generated during a fire situation. This includes requiring fire-resistance-rated assemblies, such as fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, shaft enclosures and horizontal assemblies be provided to limit the spread of fire.
This system of passive protection is an integral part of the overall fire safety approach taken by the model codes. This marking and application guide provides important information on limiting the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases by protecting duct penetrations and air-handling openings in fire and smoke rated assemblies.
There are five types of dampers recognized by the model codes for this purpose: fire, smoke, combination fire-smoke, ceiling and corridor dampers. UL certifies all five types of dampers in accordance with the requirements in model building, fire, and mechanical codes. These dampers and the applications for which they are certified are covered in detail in this guide.
There are also duct protection methods that are an integral part of fire-resistance rated assemblies, and are described within the designs. See section 3. For information on smoke control systems, see NFPA Product iQ is free to use, but does require a one-time registration.
UL has developed this guide for use by code and inspection authorities, architects, contractors, installers and other interested parties. It is intended to aid in understanding the types of dampers which exist, in association with the applicable codes and standards to facilitate safe, code-compliant installations.
UL Marking and Application Guides are updated as necessary due to new product development, changes in the codes, or the need for clarification. This guide is intended to assist users to locate, specify or verify the correct type and code compliant UL Listed damper based on the use and installation location. The four-letter code associated with products covered in this marking and application guide is the UL category code designation for that product.
Each category code provides a link to the published product GuideInfo for that product and links to the products certified within that category. The product GuideInfo is a technical document which details the scope of the products covered, information relating to limitations or special conditions applying to the product, the requirements used for the investigation of the products and general installation and use information.
The information provided in the product GuideInfo is different from the overview and expanded explanatory information contained in this marking and application guide.
Dampers commonly fall into five types, each with a specific function and end-use application. Types of dampers include fire dampers, smoke dampers, combination fire-smoke dampers, ceiling dampers and corridor dampers.
Their functions and performance requirements will vary depending on the damper type. Fire dampers are designed to close automatically when heat is detected, and are used to restrict the spread of fire where ducts and air transfer openings penetrate fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, horizontal assemblies and shaft enclosures.
The building codes specify where fire dampers are required, and establish how the fire damper is to be installed in the field. Fire dampers are available in two types, static fire dampers and dynamic fire dampers. Fire dampers for use in static systems, as their name implies, are only to be used in duct systems or penetrations where the HVAC system is automatically shut down in the event of a fire.
Fire dampers for use in dynamic systems are required at locations where fan pressure and airflow continue to operate during a fire incident, and as such, the dampers are expected to operate close against the air velocity and pressure produced by the system fan.
In addition to an hourly fire-protection rating, fire dampers for use in dynamic systems are also provided with an airflow rating which indicates the maximum velocity damper open and static pressure damper closed for which the damper is designed.
Refer to the section in this guide entitled Airflow Ratings for a more detailed explanation of the limitations of the ratings. Fire dampers are tested as part of fire-resistance rated vertical or horizontal assemblies in accordance with the Standard for Fire Dampers, UL , and are listed under EMME category. Fire dampers are investigated for use in specific fire-resistive vertical or horizontal assemblies as specified by the installation instructions that are supplied by the product manufacturer.
Each listing is specific with respect to 1 construction details of the assembly in which the damper is installed, 2 the hourly fire-protection rating, 3 the damper mounting position i. Smoke dampers are used to restrict the movement of smoke where ducts and air transfer openings penetrate assemblies that are designed to restrict the movement of smoke. These devices are installed to operate automatically, controlled by a smoke detection system, and, where required, capable of being positioned from a remote command station.
Smoke dampers may be required where ducts penetrate through smoke barriers or smoke partitions, or at other locations within an engineered smoke control system.
Smoke dampers can be used in HVAC systems where the fans are shut down in the event of fire, and can also be used in smoke control systems designed to operate during a fire incident.
Smoke dampers are designed to operate against air velocity and fan pressure. Smoke dampers listed by UL have a leakage class rating that indicates the level of air leakage measured through the damper under test conditions. Leakage ratings of smoke dampers are established at a minimum differential pressure of 4 in. Leakage rates may also be established at higher differential pressures, in increments of 2 in. The model codes require a Class I or II rated smoke damper. Smoke dampers are also provided with an airflow rating maximum velocity damper open and static pressure damper closed.
Smoke dampers are investigated for use in specific vertical or horizontal assemblies as specific in the installation instructions supplied with the product. Each listing is specific with respect to 1 construction details of the assembly in which the damper is installed, 2 the air leakage rating, 3 the damper mounting position i. Combination fire-smoke dampers are used to restrict both the spread of fire and movement of smoke where ducts and air transfer openings penetrate assemblies that are designed to restrict the passage of both fire and smoke.
Leakage ratings of corridor dampers are established based on test conditions using air. Corridor dampers have also demonstrated acceptable closure performance when subjected to fpm velocity across the face of the damper during fire exposure. Corridor dampers are investigated for use in specific horizontal ceiling constructions as specified in the installation instructions supplied with the product.
Each listing is specific with respect to 1 construction details of the ceiling in which the damper is installed, 2 the hourly fire-protection rating, 3 the damper leakage Class, 4 the minimum and maximum size of a single damper section. Ceiling dampers referred to as ceiling radiation dampers in the International Building Code are intended to function only as a heat barrier to limit heat transfer, into the concealed space of a fire-resistance-rated floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling assembly where ducts or air transfer openings are made only through the ceiling membrane that is part of the fire-resistance rated assembly.
As such, the building codes have not defined the use of these products in so far as their use as smoke barriers, nor do the UL certifications include the use of these products to limit the migration of smoke or passage of flame.
Ceiling membranes are part of floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling fire resistance rated assemblies that have been evaluated in accordance with the Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, UL The construction of floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling assemblies evaluated by UL are published in the BXUV product category.
The GuideInfo provides additional details regarding the design, construction, and use of these assemblies. Ceiling dampers are designated as either static or dynamic and are evaluated for use in HVAC systems. Static ceiling dampers are used in duct systems where the airflow is automatically shut down, typically by activation of area smoke detection or the automatic fire alarm system.
Dynamic ceiling dampers are required at locations in which fan pressure and airflow remain in operation during a fire incident. Dynamic dampers for use in HVAC systems are also provided with an airflow rating which indicates the maximum velocity damper open and static pressure damper closed for which the damper is designed, similar to the ratings provided for a traditional listed EMME smoke damper. Although these ratings relate to individual dynamic ceiling damper models it is important to note that both static and dynamic ceiling dampers do not have an assigned hourly fire-resistance rating.
Ceiling Dampers For Use In Lieu Of Hinged Door Type Dampers — Where floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling designs contain air ducts and specify the use of hinged door type dampers over each duct outlet, ceiling dampers are investigated for use in lieu of the specified hinged door type dampers.
It is important to note that ceiling dampers covered for this specific application are only intended for use in those UL fire resistance designs that indicate the use of a hinged door type damper in the design. This information is located in the UL Product iQ database in the text and drawings of the specific UL fire resistance designs. The UL certification of ceiling dampers does not cover the products for general installation in any floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling design.
G , G and L The Classification text for ceiling dampers evaluated in this manner will specify the types of designs in which they may be used and the conditions under which they may be substituted for the hinged door type dampers.
Method 2. Dampers covered by this method of evaluation are generally tested along with the specific design construction in accordance with the Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, UL , in addition to UL C. Applicable information describing the installation of ceiling dampers for this application, include a reference to the specific ceiling damper model, an indication that the fire resistance design ratings were developed under conditions employing air movement and the maximum qualified velocity rating, is included in the text and drawings for the specific designs in UL Product iQ.
L , L and M Ceiling dampers evaluated for use in specific fire resistance rated designs are covered under the Ceiling Dampers CABS category. The UL certification for the ceiling dampers will make reference to the specific floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling designs in which they are intended to be installed as well as the applicable static or dynamic designation.
Dynamic ceiling dampers are also marked with the maximum air flow and closure pressure for which the damper has been investigated. The application of ceiling dampers are distinctly different than the applications of the other types of dampers. Refer to the section in this Guide entitled Horizontal Dampers under Installation Considerations for a detailed explanation of these differences. This method of construction consists of a combination of protecting the inside of rectangular shaped steel ducts with a minimum 1 in.
Duct Outlet Protection System B may be used in any design which contains a steel duct with the duct outlet protected by a hinged door damper, for equal or smaller outlet size. This system has been investigated for effectiveness in restricting the transfer of heat into the concealed space above the ceiling.
Dampers are intended to be installed in accordance with locally enforced building, fire and life safety codes, and in accordance with standards referenced in those codes. Detailed information on damper related codes and standards can be found in Appendix A. Model codes include requirements to restrict the spread of fire and smoke through a building using assemblies with specific requirements concerning their construction and placement.
Openings in these assemblies must be protected in a manner which compliments the intent of the assembly. In order to function properly, a damper must be installed in accordance with the applicable code requirements and its listing as well as the manufacturers installation instructions. An approved means for proper access to the damper for inspection, testing and maintenance must be provided for each Damper installation.
Instructions are required to be shipped with each Damper for use by the installation contractor at the construction site. Below are some installation considerations which should be considered prior to installation of the damper. Since there are multiple types of dampers for use in protecting openings in horizontal assemblies, it is important to carefully consider the proper damper for each application.
The correct damper depends on the application. As a general rule, vertical ducts rising through fire rated floors are to be protected by fire rated shaft enclosures. As the fire resistive shaft rises through the structure, it is not necessary to protect the opening at the floors the duct passes through because the duct is located in a fire rated shaft. The shaft should be penetrated horizontally so that vertical dampers can be used to protect the penetration through the shaft.
The model codes contain several exceptions to the shaft enclosure requirements. Where a vertical duct penetrates a horizontal assembly without a shaft enclosure, a horizontal fire damper is required. Ceiling radiation dampers protect openings in fire-rated horizontal ceiling assemblies. Therefore, you need to have only qualified professional personnel install your ceiling radiation dampers.
Lloyd Industries has a team of local representatives that can perform ceiling radiation damper installations. Along with ceiling radiation dampers, Lloyd Industries has a complete line of ventilation products for your projects. Browse our ventilation products here. Our network of HVAC contractors are strategically placed throughout the USA so our ceiling radiation dampers will never be too far away from your project.
Simply click the link below to get into contact with your local USA Rep:. If you are an international customer, browse our list of International Reps at the bottom of this page here:.
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