Nfpa 90a states that smoke dampers are to be used to isolate air handling units. Where it is physically impossible to locate the duct detector accordingly, the duct detector can be positioned closer than six duct widths, but as far as possible from inlets, bends, or deflection plates. Model fsd60fa meets the requirements for fire, smoke and combination firesmoke dampers established by. How to properly inspect and test fire dampers facilities. The actuator utilizes the jackshaft and linkage to open and close the blades of the smoke. Fan units whose sole function is to remove air from inside the building to outside the building.
Only fire damper and smoke damper assemblies integral with sleeves and listed for the intended purpose shall be acceptable. Fire, smoke, and combination fire smoke dampers life safety. Life safety dampers are intended to protect openings in walls, ceilings. Fire, smoke, and combination damper inspection, testing and maintenance requirements. National fire protection association nfpa nfpa 90a, 80, 92, 105. Protection provided by the installation of smoke detectors and other related requirements is intended to prevent the distribution of smoke through the supply air duct system and. The code details why smoke detectors are required along with the intentions of. As always, this is just for the local codes i am familiar with, consult your local authority and codes.
The machinery does no good if it doesnt keep smoke, fire and heat out of inhabited spaces, so its important to follow nfpa guidelines for placement. Finally, additional related information about fire and smoke dampers regarding hvac. Every situation is unique and there are usually many questions. Ibc imc is in conflict with nfpa 90 a regarding where the detectors are installed and if a smoke damper is required within the air handling unit. Nfpa 72 fire alarm inspection and testing requirements 1. Fire and smoke damper verification is a federally mandated process that applies to a number of commercial and industrial businesses. Origin and development of nfpa 90a this standard dates from 1899, when committee attention was first given to blower and exhaust systems. Allow the ductwork to fall without ripping the fire damper out of the wall. The 90a standard also lists specific requirements for the provision of smoke dampers in an airhandling unit ahu, as opposed to smoke dampers out in the duct distribution portion of the system as discussed above. Specifications fire smoke dampers meeting or exceeding the following specifications shall be furnished and installed at locations shown on plans or as described in schedules. Marking and application guide dampers for fire, smoke, corridor. This edition of nfpa 90a was approved as an american national standard on may 19, 2014. Refer to nfpa 90a, 72, and 101 for more information. Standard for the installation of airconditioning and.
Smoke detectors often are hard wired to a central alarm panel in which the alarm will relay a signal to the smoke damper to cause smoke damper closure. The nfpa 90a is specific in defining the position of the duct smoke detectors in the ductwork. Nfpa 90a and nfpa 92 are referenced with respect to testing and to smoke protection. Hvac systems, components, and air distribution integration of a ventilation and airconditioning systems with building construction controls including wiring, manual control, smoke dampers, and smoke detection for automatic control acceptance testing including an option for testing flame spread of plastic pipe for use. Amca intl, 2011 guide for commissioning and periodic performance testing of. Where to place smoke detectors in the ductwork on commercial projects to comply with code. Maintenance of fire dampers, ceiling dampers, smoke dampers, and combination firesmoke dampers requirements can be found in nfpa 80, standard for.
Dampers that meet both fire and smoke damper requirements. Ventilation fan systems used to remove air from the inside of the building to the outside of the building. If they are smoke partitions and not barriers, you do not need dampers for ducted systems under nfpa 90a and ibc 2009. Prior to 1936, the subject of air conditioning was covered in nfpastandards on blower systems. The rest of the story electrical contractor magazine. Smoke dampers are required in hvac systems with a capacity greater than 15,000 cfm in order to isolate the ahu from duct distribution. Both documents contain the following frequency requirements for.
I have also read that remote smoke dampers at smoke barriers need not be closed when the ahu is shut off. If they have adopted nfpa 101 or other nfpa standards that reference nfpa 90a, compliance with nfpa 90a requirements may be mandated by the fire officials. A ulapproved sealant is required to seal a smoke damper to a ductsleeve. Health care facilities are required to perform inspection and operation verification of any existing fire and smoke damper sets in their air handling systems, as required and outlined in nfpa 90a 2009. I had thought this was to keep smoke from a fire within the ahu fan motor windings or fan belts are about the only thing that will ever smoke inside the unit from getting to.
Combination fire and smoke dampers that are required by chapter 7. Note that ibc will still require a smoke damper for transfer ducts. Corridor ceiling combination fire smoke damper application. In this case the nfpa 90a requirements for hvac systems and ductwork. Duct detectors smoke detection nfpa 90a code requirements. Nfpa 90a5, nfpa 92a6 and nfpa 92b77 are frequently referred to. Nfpa 90a ducted pentration in fire wall the building.
Founded in 1984, system sensor is a global manufacturer of fire and life safety devices, specializing in smoke detection, carbon monoxide detection, and notification technology for worldwide applications. The national fire protection association merits special mention because of its signi. According to nfpa 90a 1999 edition, onehour firerated barriers do not require fire dampers in fully ducted hvac systems, unless the onehour firerated barrier is a vertical shaft. General fire and smoke damper requirements fire damper required smoke damper required typically ducts shall not penetrate fire walls but if allowed then damper is required no requirements stated in section yes, unless penetration meets astm e119 or ul 263 or meets all of the following. Closes prevents the passage of fire when the fusible link melts. I discussed the basic location requirements for duct detectorson either the supply or return air side of the air handler unitdepending on whether the international mechanical code or nfpa 90a is used. Consult nfpa 90a, nfpa 72 and local codes to determine where smoke detectors are required. Venting fan systems that are used to move air from inside to outside the building are excluded from the above requirements, and. Code required for testing of fire, smoke, and combination dampers. Duct smoke detectors are not required if the occupied space is served by an area smoke detector system.
Nfpa 72 requires a semiannual visual inspection of the spottype smoke detector in addition to the visual inspection requirements outlined in nfpa 105. My last column detailed duct smoke detectors and some of the conflicting requirements we experience. If the air duct is an air transfer opening meaning it is not fully ducted at the firerated barrier, then the duct needs a fire damper where other openings. Smoke detectors shall not be required where air distribution systems are incapable of spreading smoke beyond the enclosing walls, floors and ceilings of the room or space in which the smoke is generated. Code required for testing of fire, smoke, and combination. Nfpa 105 is the standard which prescribes the minimum requirements for smoke door.
Technicians should visually inspect combination firesmoke dampers based on the aforementioned requirements for fire dampers and smoke dampers. Return system smoke detectors are not required when the entire space served by the air distribution system is protected by a system of area smoke detectors. If so, locate smoke detectors in the supply and return ducts. If the air duct is an air transfer opening meaning it is not fully ducted at the firerated barrier, then the duct needs a fire damper where other openings are required to be protected as well.
But you must also check the requirements of the fire officials in the jurisdiction of the project. Consulting specifying engineer understanding nfpas. Nfpa code requirements for damper inspections inspecting. The following is a brief summary of the code requirements pertaining to fire and smoke fs dampers. Guide for facility managers on the testing and maintenance of fire. If the first main supply smoke damper is at a remote smoke barrier, is that damper required to be closed. Therefore, duct smoke detectors are typically considered mechanical equipment devices instead of. Nfpa 90a2018 nfpa 90a standard for the installation of. Smoke dampers must be maintained in accordance with nfpa 105, standard for smoke door assemblies and other opening protectives.
Likewise, the nfpa has specific guidelines for smoke dampers as well which are listed below. The installation requirements of nfpa 90a include topics such as where dampers are required, testing requirements, rating requirements, installation. A fire damper can be defined as a device installed in ducts and air transfer opening. Nfpa 80 is the national fire protection association standard that regulates the installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, floors and ceilings against the spread of fire and smoke within, into, or out of buildings nfpa 105 is the standard which prescribes the minimum requirements for smoke door assemblies and smoke dampers. Nfpa 90a and smoke dampers hvacr engineering engtips. The following requirements are from the 2009 edition of the standard. The problem i have is with the following line in nfpa 90a. Fire, smoke, and combination damper inspection, testing. Nfpa 90a is the ansi approved standard of care for hvac to safeguard people and property against fire, smoke, and gases resulting from fire or similar conditions. Nfpa 90a is entitled standard for the installation of air conditioning and ventilating systems. Combination firesmoke dampers must be inspected and tested in accordance with nfpa 80.
Before we can determine where and when duct smoke detectors must be used in conjunction. Duct smoke detection nfpa 90a code requirements there are exceptions to the two basic requirements. Nfpa 72 also states that a duct smoke detector is not allowed to replace an area smoke detector, mainly because if the airhandling unit ahu is not running, the detector would not detect smoke. The closure of smoke dampers are done by an actuator the actuator is either electric or pneumatic. These fans are excluded from the above requirements and. Nfpa 80 is the national fire protection association standard that regulates the installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, floors and ceilings against the spread of fire and smoke within, into, or out of buildings. Smoke and fire dampers are to be installed in a fashion that leaves them secured in wall openings without disrupting their operation. Nfpa 90a covers construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of air conditioning and ventilating systems, including filters, ducts, and related equipment, to protect life and property from fire, smoke, and gases resulting from fire or conditions having manifestations similar to fire. The 2018 edition of nfpa 90a, installation of airconditioning and ventilating systems is essential for providing adequate fire protection for hvac systems and protecting lives and property in the built environment. Damper flow and pressure ratings for dynamic fire dampers and combination fire smoke. Understanding nfpas standard 90a for air conditioning and.