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Over the course of this year we have looked at different issues around Fire Dampers and Smoke Control Dampers. For this blog, I am going to summaries some of the issues as a recap.
Damper Types
There are two types of dampers, Fire Dampers and Smoke Control Dampers. The purposes of the Fire Damper is to close and maintain compartmentation. The term Fire/Smoke Damper (and all of the other derivatives) should not be used as they are misleading.
Read more about Fire Damper Classifications here and Smoke Control Damper Classifications here.
Methods of Activation
Fire Dampers tend to have two types of activation, mechanical and motorised. These methods of activation do not have an impact on the damper classification, but they do affect where the damper can be used. With regards to Fire Dampers ADB Volume 2 10.22 reference two methods. These are:
- Method 1 - Thermally activated Fire Damper with a minimum of E classification for 60 mins or to match the integrity rating of the fire resisting elements, whichever is higher.
- Method 4 - Automatically activated Fire Damper with a minimum of a ES classification for 60 mins or to match the integrity rating of the fire resisting elements, whichever is higher. Whilst a mechanical EIS damper meets the classification requirements, because it does not have an automatic method of activation it cannot be deemed as meeting the requirements, and could only be deemed suitable for Method 1.
Where you have Fire Dampers that are powered by a motor, care needs to be given to the position of the thermal release if it is not already mounted onto the damper. The thermal release must be installed at the position it was tested or higher. If the thermal release was tested on the centre line of the duct in the fire test, then it must installed at the centre line of the duct or higher, it cannot be installed on the bottom of the duct because it makes access easier (unless there is appropriate test evidence or a field of Extend Application (EXAP) report that allows this).
Read our blog on Damper Release Mechanisms.
Supporting Constructions
Fire Dampers must be installed as per the manufactures instructions. Four crucial things that need to be considered are:
- The opening in the supporting construction
- The penetration seal
- Damper Installation
- The makeup of the supporting construction.
The opening in the supporting construction must be as shown on the specific manufacturers installation details. You cannot assume that the opening size cannot be applied to other dampers, even if the damper has the same nominal size. A tolerance on the opening size is allowed, providing that there is a EXAP report.
As above the penetration seal must be as shown in the manufacturers installation instructions. Some deviation may be possible providing that the manufacturer has appropriate test evidence, or an EXAP report. Any deviation should be listed on either the Declaration of Performance or installation instructions. It is not acceptable to use an alternate penetration seal material for a damper on the grounds it has been subjected to a EN1366-3 test.
Fire Dampers must be installed as per manufacturers instructions. You cannot use an installation method from a different damper manufacturer, or install something that just looks ok. It needs to be fitted as tested.
Most Fire Dampers tests will be conducted with the damper installed in a Standard Supporting Construction, i.e. a construction with a quantifiable influence on the heat transfer between the construction and the test specimen and which provide a known resistance to thermally induced distortion.
When looking at a Fire Damper classification you need to consider the wall construction that was used in a test. The Direct Field of Application allows a standard flexible supporting construction to increase in thickness, density, more layers of bored, but it does not allow a decrease from what was tested. So a damper with an E120S classification that was tested in an EI120 standard flexible supporting construction can only be used in a application that requires E60S if the wall is still built to EI120 standard. Damper manufacturers will be able to tell you the minimum wall classifications that are applicable to their installation methods.
The specification for standard flexible supporting construction can be found in EN1363-1.
Any other wall construction would fall under non-standard supporting construction. They are defined as specific constructions which are not already covered by standard supporting constructions. Examples of this would be shaft wall systems, and composite wall panels.
Non-standard supporting constructions therefore require their own fire tests, and because the influence of heat transfer and thermally induced distortion are not known, they have a more restrictive field of direct application.
Read our "It's Never Just a Fire Test" blog here.
Buildability
There are installation methods that can be achieved in a test laboratory, and then there are the practicalities of installing on site. This can be specially important for separation distances.
There may be test data to support a damper being installed against a slab or 30mm away from a slab, however just because there is test data to support it does not mean it is acceptable to install it in every application.
If there is a linear joint seal between the wall and the slab and the damper passed through it. Unless the damper has been tested with that linear joint seal of then it cannot be installed, even if the damper has been tested close to a slab. The installation need to match the damper instructions from the manufacture.
Here's what you need to know about Fire Damper Separations, EXAPs and DIAPs.
UK CA and CE
In case anyone had missed the update around CE and UK CA, the DLUHC will continue to recognise the CE mark on construction products until 30 June 2025, after which UK CA will be required. More information can be found at Construction Products Regulation Great Britain
To read more of our Smoke & Fire blogs head here.
