AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 20
The Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA)
In some cases, physically going to the damper to visually International has proposed that NFPA 80 and 105 be modified
confirm its operation is the only option. For example, non- to allow actuated dampers to be tested remotely. The proposal
actuated fire dampers simply operate by way of gravity or a requires the following:
spring to close the damper's blades when a fusible link reaches n That dampers are designed with the ability to remotely
its activation temperature. There is no way to remotely operate indicate when the damper is fully open and fully closed.
n That, prior to dampers being eligible for remote testing, an
the damper.
The most common issues that prevent life-safety dampers initial visual inspection take place. For new construction or
from operating as designed occur during
installations, this would most comthe building construction process. An
monly be done during the
Suggested Reading
improper installation is often the culprit.
commissioning process.
n "Fire/Smoke Dampers for Hospitals." AMCA
It is critical that dampers be installed
If AMCA's proposal is accepted,
inmotion (2014): 2-6.
square and plumb so their blades can
any
problems that occur after a
n "Smoke Damper Testing and Maintenance
freely operate without binding on the
damper's
initial inspection would be
for Service Life and Performance Assurdamper's frame. Another installation
identified during the remote testing.
ance." AMCA inmotion (Summer 2012):
26-30.
mistake is running screws into the linkThis is because the position indication
n "Fire Dampers and Smoke Dampers: The
age, connecting the damper's blades to
device would detect that the damper
Difference is Important." AMCA inmotion
each other.
is unable to reach its full open or full
(Fall 2011): 20-23.
It is also not uncommon for dampers
closed position-an indication to the
n "Dampers: An Essential Component of
to be tampered with during the construcbuilding's maintenance staff that the
Fire Protection Design." AMCA inmotion
tion of a building. For example, after a
damper needs to be physically
(Spring 2010): 11-14.
building's HVAC system becomes active
inspected.
n "Integrating Smoke Control Dampers and
but before power is supplied to a
Fans." AMCA inmotion (Spring 2009):
damper's actuator, construction workers
CONCLUSION
14-17.
may loosen an actuator's clamping
Due to a lack of enforcement, lack
n "Fire Smoke Dampers Prevent Occupants
of manpower, messy clean up after
mechanism so the space they are workfrom Getting the Shaft." AMCA inmotion
access through ceiling compartments
ing in can be conditioned. If they do
(Spring 2008): 18-20.
and
the difficulty in performing visual
not remember to retighten the mechan "Effective Smoke Control Using Dampers
inspections
on many dampers, the
nism, the damper will stay open. Even
with Electric Fire/Smoke Actuators." AMCA
required
periodic
testing of life-safety
after power is supplied to the actuators,
inmotion (Fall 2007): 15-18.
dampers
is
often
not performed.
dampers are sometimes propped open
n "Fire and Smoke Damper Trade-Offs-At
Allowing
remote
inspections
would
with a board or something similar to
What Cost?" AMCA inmotion (Fall 2007):
dramatically
reduce
the
difficulty,
keep the space conditioned, guaranteeing
10-11.
time and subsequent cost associated
failure in a fire event.
Because of these issues, it is critical that dampers be visually with performing these tests. This in turn would result in a
tested for proper operation during the building commissioning higher percentage of dampers being periodically tested and
process. This process is also known as acceptance testing and thus safer buildings.
is a precondition for turning the building over to the owner.
WHEN VISUAL TESTING SHOULD BE USED
REFERENCES
WHEN REMOTE TESTING SHOULD BE ALLOWED
Once an initial inspection or commissioning of a life-safety
damper has been performed, the use of damper position
indication devices can safely and effectively be used to
confirm that the damper is continuing to function properly.
This information can be obtained from a single remote
control panel or easily visible light indicator. As previously
mentioned, remote testing of life-safety dampers is not
permitted to meet the periodic testing requirements of NFPA
80 and 105. But that restriction is out of touch with today's
damper designs and the capabilities of modern building
automation and fire alarm systems. The language in NFPA
80 and 105 should be changed to allow periodic testing to
be conducted remotely on actuated dampers that have
passed an initial visual inspection confirming proper
operation.
20
Summer 2016
AMCA
1. International Fire Code. Washington, DC: International
Code Council, 2012.
2. NFPA 101. Life Safety Code. Quincy, MA: National Fire
Protection Association, 2015.
3. NFPA 80. Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening
Protectives. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 2016.
4. NFPA 105. Standard for the Installation of Smoke Door
Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives. Quincy, MA:
National Fire Protection Association, 2016.
5. NFPA 92. Standard for Smoke Control Systems. Quincy,
MA: National Fire Protection Association, 2015.
inmotion
W W W. A M C A . O R G
http://WWW.AMCA.ORG
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016
Contents
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - BB1
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - BB2
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - Cover1
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - Cover2
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - Contents
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 2
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 3
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 4
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 5
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 6
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 7
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 8
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 9
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 10
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 11
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 12
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 13
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 14
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 15
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 16
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 17
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 18
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 19
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 20
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 21
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 22
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 23
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 24
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 25
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 26
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 27
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 28
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 29
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 30
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 31
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 32
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 33
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 34
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 35
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - 36
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - Cover3
AMCA In Motion - Fall 2016 - Cover4
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