Life Safety Products - March 2011 Illinois Chapter of ASHRAE Meeting

1. LIFE SAFETY DAMPERS
CODES, STANDARDS &
INSTALLATIONS
ASHRAE
ILLINOIS
CHAPTER
MARCH 8TH, 2011

2. 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

3. Fire/Life Safety Products
 Fire Dampers
 Smoke Dampers
 Combination Fire Smoke Dampers
 Ceiling Dampers

4. 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)

5. Partial application detail from
NFPA 90A

6. 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

7. Building Code
Requirements or Where are
the Dampers?
Code Location Requirements

8. 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

9. 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

10. Occupancy Separation Walls

11. 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

12. Fire Barriers (SECTION 707)
Fire Barrier – A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of
materials designed to restrict the spread in which continuity
is maintained.
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

13. Occupancy Separation (partial)
Chicago Code 13-56-280

14. 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

15. International Mechanical Code
IMC Sections
513- Smoke Control Systems
606- Smoke Detection Systems
607- Duct and Air Transfer
Openings

16. 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

17. 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

18. FIRE WALLS (SECTION 706)
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.
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.

19. 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.

20. FIRE BARRIERS (SECTION 707)
Fire Barrier – A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of
materials designed to restrict the spread in which continuity
is maintained.
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

21. FIRE BARRIERS (SECTION 707)
Fire Barriers are used for:
Occupancy Separation
Shaft Enclosures
Exit Enclosures
Exit Passageways
Horizontal Exit
Atriums
Control Areas
Fire Areas

22. 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

23. SHAFT ENCLOSURES (SECTION 707)
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.
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.

24. SHAFT ENCLOSURES (SECTION 707)
Ducts/ Air Transfer openings are protected and
shall comply with Section 716
FIRE DAMPER required (exceptions)
Steel 22” Sub-Duct with
continuous upward air flow
Parking garage
Kitchen, Clothes Dryer Exhaust
ducts

25. SHAFT ENCLOSURES (SECTION 707)
SMOKE DAMPER required
(exceptions)
Combination Fire/Smoke Dampers
can be used (exceptions)
Parking garage
Kitchen, Clothes Dryer Exhaust ducts

26. ELEVATOR LOBBY (SECTION 707.14.1)
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-Resistance Rating of minimum
of 1 hour
Constructed as a Fire Partition or
Smoke Partition
FIRE DAMPER required (exceptions)
SMOKE DAMPER required
(exceptions)

27. FIRE PARTITIONS (SECTION 708)
Fire Partition – A vertical assembly of materials
designed to restrict the spread of fire in which
openings are protected.
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

28. 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)

29. CORRIDOR ENCLOSURE (SECTION 716)
Corridor – An enclosed exit access compartment that
defines and provides a path of egress travel to an exit.
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)

30. HORIZONTAL ASSEMBLIES
(SECTION 712)
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 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

31. 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)

32. SMOKE BARRIERS (SECTION 710)
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 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

33. SMOKE BARRIERS (SECTION 710)
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.
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)

34. SMOKE PARTITIONS (SECTION 710)
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 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

35. 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)

36. SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
IBC 909 IMC 513
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)

37. SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
IBC 909 IMC 513
Equipment
Fans
Ducts
Dampers
Power systems
Smoke control panel
Stair pressurization

38. DUCT & AIR TRANSFER OPENING
IBC Section 716
IMC Section 607
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)

39. 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

40. QUESTIONS?

41. Fire Damper Fundamentals
Designed to STOP the passage of flame

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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…

45. Ratings
 What hourly rated damper do I install in a 2
hour wall? (NFPA-90A) 1-1/2 hour
 What hourly rated damper do I install in a 4
hour wall? (NFPA-90A) 3 hour

46. 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

47. Types
 Vertical
 Wall mount
 Horizontal ductwork
 Horizontal
 Floor mount
 Vertical ductwork
 Spring assist to close

48. 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

49. 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

50. “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

51. “Typical”
Fire Damper Installation
 Sleeves can be
factory provided
or contractor
fabricated
 Angles can be
factory provided
or contractor
fabricated

52. Interlocking
Style A Blades
Fuse Link
Frame

53. H
Style B
A
B
Duct Connection

54. Style C damper

55. Blade Seal
Multi-Blade Jamb Seal
Spring
Jackshaft Over Center Link Fuse Link

56. DIBD2 Dynamic rated
Style B
B Hood
Mounting Closure
Label Springs
Blade
Catch

57. “Typical”
Fire Damper Installation
 Sleeve
 Length
 Gauge
 Expansion Gap
 Orientation
 Damper position
 Labels
 Floor/Wall
 Mounting Angles
 Breakaway or Rigid Connections

58. “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

59. “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

60. One Side Angle
Used in applications where access is
limited on both sides
Angle attaches to wall
Size limitations

61. Out of Wall or Concrete
Floor
•Angle one side
•Fire resistant
insulation
•Sleeve attached to
inside of opening

62. FD’s Grille Application
Single section
sizes
Max. size-36”x
36”
Damper in Wall
Must be 6” wall
Grille By Others

64. QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?

65. CEILING RADIATION DAMPERS
Designed to STOP the spread of flame and heat

66. 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.

67. Ratings
 Assembly Rating of 3 Hours or Less
 Key Word is Assembly

68. UL Rated Ceiling Design

69. Types
 Surface Mount
 Gypboard
 Grille

70. Types
 Lay-In
 Acoustical Panel
 Diffuser

71. QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?

72. SMOKE DAMPERS
Actuator
Required!
Designed to STOP the passage of smoke

73. 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*

74. Smoke Damper Installation
No Openings Between
Barrier and Damper
No sleeve required

75. Smoke Dampers Airflow Both
Directions
 Dynamic
 Leakage Classes
 Class I, II, III & IV
Blade & Jamb Seals

76. QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?

77. Fire Smoke Dampers
Designed to STOP the passage of flame and smoke

78. 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

79. Ratings
 Tested and rated as both a fire
damper and smoke damper
 1 1/2 hour
 3 hour
 Leakage Class I,II,III,IV

80. 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.

81. Dynamic Smoke
Management Systems

82. FSD Installation
 Vertical
 Horizontal
 Not Centered
 Mounting
 Maximum Size
 Sleeves
 Mounting Angles

84. QUESTIONS?

85. Suggested website links
iccsafe.org
ul.com – certifications - UL category
code “EMME” (Manufacturer’s
damper certification listing)
nfpa.org
ruskin.com

86. Underwriter’s Laboratories Tour

100. UL555C Ceiling Dampers
Ceiling Fire Damper Test Standard
Fire Test
Flame Exposure
Radiation Test
Heat Stop
Cycle Test & Salt Spray
Operation Reliability

103. Tanks filled with water to simulate load on ceiling
assembly

105. After approx. 1 hour gypsum board has fallen
CFD remains in place… Successful Test !

109. Damper is cycled to confirm operability

110. Thank You!
Working Together For Life Safety!
Ruskin Co.
&
You!