Fire Dampers

Key considerations

  • Compartmentation Plans - Fire & Smoke
  • Fire Resistance Level (FRL)
  • Element Material FRL (i.e. wall, floor, ceiling)
  • Service Material FRL (i.e. penetrating a compartment, FRL)
  • Fire/smoke stopping system (as per MPX schedule)




What are fire dampers?


A penetration sealing device to maintain the integrity of the wall in the event of a fire.


There are many different fire dampers including;

  • Intumescent
  • Curtain type
  • Motorised
  • In floor
  • Single blade or drop lock
  • Multi-blade and multi-blade motorised


Note: smoke dampers are the same as fire dampers, the only difference being they include tip seals and may be motorised



Why use fire dampers?


When a rise in temperature occurs, a fire damper closes and prevent the spread of flame through the barrier. Fire dampers are typically mechanical being curtain, flap or blade type that closes when a fusible link melts. The fusible link typically melts when the temperature rises to 75 degrees Celsius.

Installation


Fire dampers must:

  • Have an adequate clearance all around for expansion eg. 1% + 10mm (refer Figure)
  • Have mounting flanges must be twice the width of the expansion gap.
  • Have combustibles kept clear, with 100mm clearance provided on all sides of the damper.
  • Be installed in the correct orientation
  • Have retaining angles must be butted against the face of the fire resisting structure and fixed to the fire damper.
  • Have the space the fire damper body and the surrounding wall or floor shall be packed with high temperature, insulated packing material or as per as per evidence of suitability.
  • Have the casing not protrude more than 150mm beyond the wall on either side.

Breakaway Joints


  • Breakaway joints can be with a:
  • Flange connection installed with nylon/aluminium bolts at max 150mm from the wall or
  • Raw edge connection at max 80mm from the wall or
  • A slip joint.

Click on the image for an enlarged view

Click on the image for an enlarged view

Labels 


Fire damper labels must be:

  • Include details as per Figure including:
  • Installation Contractor
  • Name and licence number of the person installing the damper
  • Name and licence number of the person approving the damper
  • Date of installation
  • Make and model where manufacture label ins not visible
  • Reference identification code
  • Installed in accordance with AS 1682.2 Clause 7.6.1 and 7.6.2 
  • Permanently fixed to the wall/floor/ceiling/slab close to the damper.

Documentation and Base Line Data


Documentation and base line data must be include:

  • Identification of damper by number and location
  • Floor plan drawings showing location of dampers
  • Make and model number of each damper
  • Name of installation company
  • Date of installation
  • Evidence of suitability
  • FRL
  • Commissioning sheets



Photographs recording the installation of all fire dampers must:

  • Be taken by the mechanical subcontractor before, during and after installation.

Access


Access panels to dampers must:

  • Be provided in the duct and the walls, ceilings and shaft.
  • Positioned and aligned directly below or in front of the damper (never offset or misaligned).