Compartment walls and doors are designed to contain a fire, however, there are several systems within a building, such as heating and air conditioning, that need to be able to breach barriers to deliver to other areas. To maintain the integrity of a fire barrier, fire and smoke dampers are used in ductwork and ceiling cavities to seal any necessary compartmental breaches. Dampers form part of a passive fire protection system and are designed to close in the event of a fire. This closure protects the integrity of a barrier and prevents the spread of smoke and fire from compartment to compartment.

Fire dampers respond to heat. The damper shuts when it detects that the temperature has reached a certain level. The fusible link, attached to the damper, melts, causing the damper’s door to close.

Smoke dampers close when smoke is detected. In the event of a fire, smoke and toxic gas inhalation is often the biggest killer. Usually activated by the fire alarm and smoke detector system, dampers close to prevent the passage of smoke through ducts. A combination of the two offers dual protection.

Appropriate installation and maintenance of dampers are crucial. A survey can help you achieve compliance by identifying the location of dampers and visually inspecting them for signs of corrosion, obstruction, or damage. All dampers must be regularly maintained. We can carry out a thorough survey to catalogue their location and enable effective ongoing management.