Fire Alarm Interface of Smoke

Dampers
Presented by:
Jason Lupa, PE
Siemens Industry

May 2018
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Objectives

Upon completion, participants will be better able to:

Identify basic fire and smoke damper components
Recognize damper applications and their fire
alarm integration methods
Learn the minimum code requirements along with industry
best practices
Damper testing & maintenance
Know where to find additional information.

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Fire & Smoke Damper
Components

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What is the Purpose of a Damper?

1. To stop the spread of

fire and smoke
2. Supply fresh air or
remove smoke

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Fire Damper – UL555

Fire dampers are actuated by heat

Frame

Fusible Link
Blades

Jackshaft

Blade Damper

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Fire Damper – UL555

Fire dampers do no require electric power and operate

similar to a fire sprinkler head

Frame

Fusible Links
Curtain Damper

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 Fire/ Smoke Damper - UL555S

Smoke dampers are actuated by a smoke

Combination fire/ smoke dampers are actuated by heat or smoke

Motor
Frame

Blades with
Actuator seals
Jackshaft
Blade Damper

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 Fire/ Smoke Damper - UL555S

 UL555(S) requires 75 second closing time.

 Test covers leakage, high velocity closing, other functions
 Actuators are tested as an assembly with the damper,
not listed alone.

Actuator

Smoke duct detector

Blade Damper

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Damper Classifications

Static Rated
Not tested with airflow through the damper.
Installed in systems where the fans will shut off
in the event of a fire. “Fan off System”

Dynamic Rated
Tested with heated airflow through the damper.
A “fans on system” ─ these dampers will slam shut
due to the spring loaded design.

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Damper Summery

Fire dampers are NOT actuated by the fire alarm system

and are NOT part of a smoke management system.

Fire Damper Smoke or Fire/ Smoke Damper

REQUIRES
SMOKE
DETECTION!

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Damper Applications and
Fire Alarm Integration

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Damper Locations

 Smoke Barriers – divides a building into sections

 Horizontal exit passageway enclosures
 Atrium boundaries
 Stairwell enclosures
 Separations between occupancies in a mixed-use building
 Smoke Partitions – usually encloses certain rooms
 Storage rooms, trash rooms, boiler and furnace rooms, and similar
rooms that have a higher-than-average chance of fire.
 Shaft Enclosures
 Typically when a duct travels vertically floor-to-floor.
 Can be also be horizontal

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Damper Exceptions

Never installed in Type 1 grease, parking

garages and clothes dryer exhaust
systems (IBC ¶717.5.3).

Never interfere with the operation of an

engineered smoke exhaust system (such
as for an atrium), approved alternate
protection shall be used (IBC ¶717.2.1).

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Damper Exceptions

If ductwork crosses a rated wall, fire-rated gypsum board or a listed

fire-wrap insulation material may be substituted for dampers

Continuous duct
without openings in
the rated corridor

Subducts may also be used vertical exhaust shafts.

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Damper Exceptions

A subduct may be used in

place of a damper for some
exhaust applications

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NFPA 90A Application Detail

A building may have

a combination of
dampers and
SMOKE DAMPER
alternative solutions.

The Mechanical
Engineer selects the SUBDUCT
smoke containment
method.

SUBDUCT

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 Smoke Control Strategies

The IBC Section 909 defines

requirements for passive and active
smoke control systems. The active
smoke control system requirements are
broken down into three methods:

• Pressurization
• Exhaust
• Opposed airflow

The Mechanical Engineer selects the

types of smoke control method and
locates the dampers. The Electrical
Engineer designs the fire alarm
interface equipment.

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Smoke Control Strategies - Passive

PASSIVE METHOD
Dampers
Passive methods of
controlling smoke
includes enclosing an
area with smoke barriers,
utilizing smoke doors and
dampers at smoke
barriers. Egress
corridor
For this method, smoke
dampers close and
isolate the fire. Air in the
duct is static.

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Smoke Control Strategies - Passive

AIR
Return HANDLING Supply
UNIT SHAFT DAMPERS PREVENT
SMOKE FROM MIGRATING
OUT OF FIRE ZONE INTO
UNPROTECTED ZONES.

If the HVAC fans are on,

the fire alarm will override the
environmental controls and close
the dampers.

If HVAC fans are off, typically

dampers close but the fire alarm
will prevent the dampers from
opening.

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Damper Control - Passive

Standard application for closing dampers: normally powered

when open; the fire alarm relay interrupts power to close.
Status is not required. One fire alarm relay can control
dampers individually or in groups.

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Damper Control - Active

ACTIVE METHOD
Reopenable dampers
can assist in
exhausting
dangerous amounts
of toxic, low
temperature smoke
from the fire zone
and to pressurize
adjacent zones to
prevent spread.

For this method, some

smoke dampers
close while some
open.

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Damper Control - Active

When part of a smoke control system, Dampers must be

monitored for position and fault. Two fire alarm relays are
required to force closed and force on.

Within 3ft of actuator

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Damper Control - Active

SUPERVISED UN-SUPERVISED

A SHORT DISTANCE
Fire Alarm System REDUCES THE
CHANCE OF A WIRE
FAULT

LISTED COMPONENT
FIRE OPERATING THE
ALARM EMERGENCY
NFPA 72
21.2.5
RELAY 3’ CONTROL FUNCTION
21.2.6 Emergency Control Function
21.2.7 Interface Circuit
21.2.8 NFPA 72
21.2.4
FACP 21.2.9 EXAMPLES
21.2.10 SOME CONTROL DAMPER
STAIR PRESSURIZATION ACTIVATION
SMOKE CONTROL FAN CONTROLLER

Source: (pg.174 NFPA 72 fig A.3.3.137.1.1)

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Damper Control - Active

Smoke Control by FACP

FACP must be UUKL listed FIREFIGHTERS SMOKE
CONTROL PANEL

Damper Fire Alarm

Status Signal

Damper Status
FIRE ALARM
CONTROL
Damper Command PANEL

STARTER

Fire Alarm
Fan
Signal
Command

Exhaust Spill
Air Air

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Damper Control - Active

Smoke Control by BMS

FIREFIGHTERS SMOKE Both FACP & BMS must
CONTROL PANEL
be UUKL listed
BMS
Damper Status

Purge FIRE ALARM

CONTROL PANEL
Fire Alarm Signal
STARTER

Damper
Damper Fire Alarm
Status Fan
Command Signal
Command
Exhaust Spill
Air Air

Fan Status

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Smoke Damper Actuation

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 Smoke Damper Activation Methods

The IMC & IBC require one of the following

smoke detection methods for a closing damper:
1.Duct smoke detector
2.Spot smoke detector above fire barrier doors
3.Spot smoke detector near the air transfer opening
4.Area smoke detection in corridor of damper
5.Total coverage smoke detection for
area served by the damper

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Damper Activation: Duct Detector

A duct smoke detector must be within 5 ft of the damper with no

inlets or outlets between the detector and the damper

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Damper Activation: Spot Detector

A spot smoke detector must be within 5 ft of the damper with no

inlets or outlets between the detector and the damper

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Damper Activation: Spot Detector

Large openings may require more than one detector

Make sure the red dust covers are removed once system is online!

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Damper Activation: Detector in Duct

The smoke detector must

be listed for this
application and an
access hatch must be
provided.
This method can be used
for ‘zero flow’
applications. The
damper may remain
open even when the fan
is off.

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Access

Dampers and smoke detectors must be accessible for

inspection and testing. If they are not accessible from a grill or
register, an access door in the ductwork is required.

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Damper Activation: Detector Area

Local damper detector coverage can be deleted if

the dampers are controlled by area spot detectors.

Corridor Coverage
Area Coverage

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Dampers and Smoke Detection FAQ’s

Is damper smoke detection required to be

connected to FACP?

Yes, if a FACP is required, then both the IMC and NFPA 90A require
the detectors to be installed in accordance with NFPA 72 and be
connected to a fire alarm system.

Do they cause an alarm condition?

No. NFPA 90A and NFPA 72 state they are not required to activate
the building evacuation alarm. IBC 907.3.1 states they shall report
only as a supervisory signal unless the AHJ requires
an alarm condition.

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 Sequence of Operations

 Consider effect of damper closure on HVAC system

 Consider effect of damper closure on smoke migration

 Code minimum vs something that works

 Engineered smoke control vs just damper control
 Fire Alarm vs BAS control

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 Damper Status Monitoring

Open/ closed position status is required for active smoke control

systems (IBC Chapter 9) and must report to a dedicated
Firefighter’s Smoke Control Panel located in the Fire Command
center. Local test switches are optional.

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 Damper Status Monitoring

Position status is optional for passive contaminent dampers

(IBC Chapter 7). If provided, it may report to a central fire or
BMS system, or it may be local, near the damper.
Local test switches are optional.

Status lights eliminate the need for

visual inspections, so optional
damper monitoring can reduce
future inspection costs!

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Smoke Damper Design Coordination

Specifications should define who provides:

 Dampers & Actuators: Div15.

 Power & voltage: Div 16.
 Smoke Detection
• In-Duct detectors: Furnished & wired by Div 16,
installed by Div 15.
• Area detectors: Div 16.
 Monitoring of the damper positions (status): Div 16

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Referenced Codes & Standards

 IMC section 606

 IBC section 907
 UL 864 Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems
 UL 555 Standard for Fire Dampers
 UL 555S Standard for Smoke Dampers
 UL 555C Standard for Ceiling Dampers
 UL 263 Standard for Fire Tests of Building and Construction Materials
 NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
 NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives
 NFPA 92 Standard for Smoke Control Systems
 NFPA 105 Standard for the installation of Smoke Door Assemblies and
Other Opening Protectives
 Industry Specific, i.e. FGI/AIA guidelines for Healthcare

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So Which One Applies?

Codes are law

• If you don’t comply with applicable codes, you
won’t get an occupancy permit.
Standards are voluntary
• If code requires compliance with a particular
standard, it is no longer voluntary.
Guides and recommended practices
• Industry best practices
• Not required to use it
• Information can end up in the codes
• The Local AHJ has the final word so
coordinate early and often!

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Maintenance Testing

IBC, IFC, & NFPA Requirements:

Passive Containment Dampers (IBC Chapter 7)
• Initial commissioning
• End of first year after installation
• Every 4 years after except in hospitals which is 6 years
Active Smoke Control Systems (IBC Chapter 9)
•Initial Commissioning
•Dedicated systems – semi-annually
•Non-dedicated systems – annually

Verify these testing requirements with the Local

AHJ and insurance provider to insure compliance.

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Thank you for your attention!

Presented by:
Jason Lupa, PE
Siemens Industry
Automatic Fire Alarm Association