Life Safety Damper Maintenance and Inspection
Fire and smoke dampers are a proven and effective Installation
way to protect duct and air-transfer openings in walls,
barriers, partitions, corridors and shafts. Since the Even with these stringent test requirements and
inception of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard improved manufacturing processes, the proper
555 for fire dampers, and Standard 555S for smoke performance of life safety dampers in the field (as is
dampers, the damper industry has worked closely true with any life safety product) requires the damper
with UL and Building Code Authorities to design, manufacturer’s installation instructions to be followed.
manufacture and install the safest, most effective, life UL requires damper manufacturers to provide
safety dampers possible. This article includes the basic installation instructions in each shipping container.
testing, installation, and maintenance requirements for Most manufacturers also make their instructions
life safety dampers. available on line. Although installation requirements
vary by damper manufacturer and damper model, the
Testing following items are generally covered in the installation
instructions - the wall/floor framing details, clearance
Life safety dampers have evolved from black iron, requirements between the damper and the wall/floor
single-blade, gravity operated products to the actuated opening, duct-to-damper sleeve connections, and how
and dynamically rated multi-blade products commonly to secure the damper to the wall/floor opening,
applied today. During that evolution, the test criteria
used to rate life safety dampers has become much more Inspection and Maintenance
stringent. In addition to the fire endurance and hose
stream test that fire dampers have always been required As with any mechanical device, proper maintenance
to pass, the 7th edition of UL 555, and the 4th edition is necessary to ensure that dampers will operate as
of UL 555S, have introduced or increased the pass/fail designed. Inspection and maintenance requirements
criteria for several other test requirements. are defined by damper manufacturers, actuator
manufacturers, and by the National Fire Protection
• Non-actuated fire dampers are required to complete Association (NFPA).
250 full open/closed cycles.
The most important step in making certain that a life
• Actuated dampers are required to complete 20,000 safety damper will operate properly is during the
open/closed cycles. These cycle tests are conducted prior building commissioning process. Chapter 19 of NFPA
to the heated-air operation tests, the dynamic closure tests, Standard 80, Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives,
and the leakage tests. states that “after the installation of the life safety damper
is completed, an operational test shall be conducted.” The
• Minimum airflow ratings of 2,000 fpm through the standard goes on to state that for combination fire and
fully open damper and 4” of static pressure across smoke dampers “the operational test shall be conducted
the fully closed damper have also been established to under non-fire HVAC conditions as well as static flow
eliminate “marginal” products from being installed. conditions.” This also includes fire dampers. The 2006
• In addition, factors of safety of 400 fpm and 0.5” static International Building Code references NFPA for
pressure are used during the testing. A damper with maintenance of life safety dampers.
the minimum 2,000 fpm and 4” static pressure rating After the initial commissioning process, it’s essential
is tested at 2,400 fpm and 4.5” static pressure. to implement a periodic maintenance program for a
These changes to UL’s test standards have been building’s life safety dampers. Chapter 19 of NFPA
implemented to keep pace with the changes in modern 80 including fire dampers states, “Each damper shall be
HVAC systems. tested and inspected one year after installation. The test and
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inspection frequency shall then be every four years, except
in hospitals, where the frequency shall be every six years.”
Additional testing and documenting criteria for smoke
and combination fire and smoke dampers are specified
in NFPA Standard 105, Installation of Smoke Door
Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives.
This standard identifies almost identical verbiage
as NFPA 80.
The damper industry has continued to evolve and
provide the safest, most effective products. Products
designed to be easily installed and with proper
maintenance, provide a long service life while
enhancing the compartmentation effectiveness.
Keeping up with routine maintenance and
documentation allows the system to perform and
function as designed and intended.
For more information, contact
Mark Belke, director
Damper Products
715.692.6709 or mark.belke@greenheck.com
Life Safety Damper Maintenance and Inspection Page 2
Copyright ©2008 Greenheck Fan Corp.
