Smoke Dampers vs Fire Smoke Dampers 1

[CuriousElectron]

Hi Guys,

This might be a dumb question, but what is a difference between a smoke damper and a fire smoke damper as applied in fire and safety modernization projects?

Thanks,
EE

 

[willard3]

Fire damper is controlled by a fusible link.
Fire/smoke damper has an electrical connection as well so a smoke signal will close the damper or the fusible link will close the damper.

 

[GT-EGR]

Fire dampers automatically close from the heat of a fire melting a fusible link that drops a protective curtain down into the duct to seal the inside off from spreading fire

Fire smoke dampers automatically close from the heat of a fire triggering a fire stat (temperature limit) switch, or a duct mounted smoke detector sensing smoke in the duct airstream. Either one of these two will electronic close the damper.

There are some variations on how to sense the fire or smoke, but those are the most common.

Whether or not you need one or the other varies depending on the actual building code required rating/protection of the wall you are penetrating, and whether or not you meet a few exceptions.