Fire & Smoke Damper Statutes

Below are the statutes that determine the requirements of inspections, repairs, and other things concerning Fire and Smoke Dampers. This will not have the entire chapter, but only the most useful statutes for general knowledge.

Here in Florida, we use specific editions from each individual NFPA. They are the year in which that particular NFPA was introduced, I.E. 2013, 2015, etc. For Florida, click this link.
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-Fire Dampers (NFPA 80 2013 Edition, Chapter 19)

Chapter 19 Installation, Testing, and Maintenance of Fire Dampers.

Specifications

19.1.2 Damper Ratings shall be established in accordance with NFPA 90A Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems.

19.1.3 Combination fire/smoke dampers shall also meet the requirements contained in NFPA 105, Standards for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives.

Definitions

19.1.4.3 Combination Fire/Smoke Damper. A Device that meets both the fire damper and smoke damper requirements. (see 3.3.27)

19.1.4.5 Fire Damper. A Device installed in an air distribution system, designed to close automatically upon detection of heat, to interrupt migratory airflow and to restrict the passage of the flame. Fire dampers are classified for use in either static systems or for dynamic systems, where the dampers are rated for closure under airflow. (See 3.3.48)

19.1.4.8 Smoke Damper. A device within an operating (dynamic) air distribution system to control the movement of smoke. (See 3.3.115)

Installation

19.2.3 Access. Dampers equipped with fusible links, internal operators, or both shall be provided with an access door that is not less than 12 in. (305 mm) square or provided with a removable duct section.

19.2.3.2 The damper access panel shall be labeled with the words “Fire Damper” in letters not less than 1 in. (25 mm) in height.

19.2.3.2.1 External insulation shall not conceal any access panel unless a label is attached to the insulation that clearly indicates the exact location of the access panel, and the insulation is installed for ease of removal or ease of removal with the access panel.

19.2.3.3 Unobstructed access shall be provided through the ceiling or wall to gain access for inspection and service of the damper’s working parts.

Operational Test

19.3.1 Fire Dampers. After installation of a damper is completed, an operational test shall be conducted.

19.3.1.1 The damper shall fully close from the open position.

19.3.1.2 When equipped with smoke detection activation, the smoke detector shall be activated in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

19.3.1.4 The operational test shall verify that there are no obstructions to the operation of the damper.

19.3.1.5 The operational test shall verify that there is full and unobstructed access to the fire damper and all listed components.

19.3.1.6 All indicating devices shall be verified to work and report to the intended location.

19.3.1.7 The fusible link operating temperature shall be in accordance with NFPA 90A, standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, and ANSI/UL 33, Standard for Heat Responsive Links for Fire-Protection Services, temperature classifications and ratings.

Periodic Inspection and Testing.

19.4.1 Each damper shall be tested and inspected 1 year after installation.

19.4.1.1 The test and inspection frequency shall be every 4 years, except in hospitals, where the frequency shall be every 6 years.

19.4.3 Full unobstructed access to the fire or combination fire/smoke damper shall be verified and corrected as required.

19.4.4 If the damper is equipped with a fusible link, the link shall be removed for testing to ensure full closure and lock-in-place if so equipped.

19.4.5 The operational test of the damper shall verify that there is no damper interference due to rusted, bent, misaligned, or damaged frame or blades, or defective hinges or other moving parts.

19.4.6 The damper frame shall not be penetrated by any foreign objects that would affect fire damper operations.

19.4.7 The damper shall not be blocked from closure in any way.

19.4.8 The fusible link shall be reinstalled after testing is complete.

19.4.8.1 If the link is damaged, or painted, it shall be replaced with a link of the same size, temperature, and load rating.

19.4.9 All inspections and testing shall be documented, indicating the location of the ceiling radiation damper, fire damper, or combination fire/smoke damper, date of inspection, name of inspector, and deficiencies discovered.

19.4.9.1 The documentation shall have a space to indicate when and how deficiencies were corrected.

19.4.10 All documentation shall be maintained and made available for review by the AHJ. (Authority Having Jurisdiction)

19.4.11 Periodic inspections and testing of a combination fire/smoke damper shall also meet the inspection and testing requirements contained in Chapter 6 of NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives.

Maintenance

19.5.1 Reports of changes in airflow or noise from the duct system shall be investigated to verify that they are not related to damper operation.

19.5.2 All exposed moving parts of the damper shall be dry lubricated as required by the manufacturer.

19.5.3 If the damper is not operable, repairs shall begin without delay.

19.5.4 Following any repairs, the damper shall be tested for operation in accordance with Section 19.4.

19.5.5 All maintenance shall be documented in accordance with 19.4.9 and 19.4.10.

-Smoke Dampers (NFPA 105 2013 Edition, Chapter 6)

Installation, Testing, and Maintenance of Smoke Dampers

6.3.2 Dampers equipped with fusible links and/or internal operators shall be provided with an access door that is not less than 12 in.² (7742 mm²) or provided with a removable duct section.

6.3.2.2 A smoke damper access panel shall be labeled with the words “Smoke Damper” in letters not less than 1/2 in. (13 mm) in height. External insulation shall not conceal any access panel unless there is a label attached to the insulation clearly indicating the exact location of the access panel and the insulation is installed for ease of removal or ease of removal with the access panel.

6.3.2.3 Unobstructed access shall be provided through a ceiling or wall for inspection and service of the damper’s working parts.

6.3.2.5 Smoke Detectors used to control smoke dampers or fire/smoke dampers shall be spaced and installed per the requirements of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

Operational Test.

6.4.1 An operational test shall be conducted after the building’s HVAC system has been balanced.

6.4.1.1 The test shall be adequate to determine that the damper has been installed and functions as intended.

6.4.1.2 The operational test shall be conducted under normal HVAC airflow conditions as well as static flow conditions. The damper shall fully close/seal under both test conditions.

6.4.1.3 The operational test shall verify that there are no obstructions to the operation of the dynamic combination damper.

6.4.1.4 The operational test shall verify that there is full and unobstructed access to the dynamic damper and all appurtenances.

6.4.1.5 All indicating devices shall be verified to work properly and report to the intended location.

Periodic Inspection and Testing

6.5.1 Smoke dampers for dedicated and non-dedicated smoke control systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 92 Standard for Smoke Control Systems.

6.5.2 Each damper shall be tested and inspected 1 year after installation.

6.5.2.1 In buildings not containing a hospital, each damper shall be tested and inspected every 4 years thereafter.

6.5.2.2 In buildings that contain a hospital, each damper shall be tested and inspected every 6 years thereafter.

6.5.4 Full unobstructed access to the damper shall be verified and corrected as required.

6.5.6 The test shall be conducted with normal HVAC airflow.

6.5.7 The operation of the damper shall verify that there is no damper interference due to rust or bent, misaligned, or damaged frame or blades’ and no defective hinges or other moving parts.

6.5.8 The damper frame shall not be penetrated by any foreign objects that would affect proper fire damper operations.

6.5.9 The damper shall be verified to not be blocked from closure in any way.

6.5.11 All inspections and testing shall be documented indicating the location of the damper, date of inspection, name of inspector, and deficiencies discovered. The documentation shall have a space to indicate when and how the deficiencies were corrected.

6.5.12 All documentation shall be maintained by the property owner and available for review by the AHJ. (Authority Having Jurisdiction)

Maintenance

6.6.1 Any reports of abrupt changes in airflow or noise from the duct system shall be investigated to verify that it is not related to damper operation.

6.6.2 All exposed moving parts of the damper shall be dry lubricated as required by the manufacturer.

6.6.3 If the damper is not operable, repairs shall begin as soon as possible.

6.6.4 Following any repairs, the damper shall be tested for proper operation in accordance with Section 6.5.

6.6.5 Smoke actuation shall be initiated at a time interval recommended by the actuator manufacturer.

6.6.6 All maintenance shall be documented and records shall be retained in accordance with 6.5.11 and 6.5.12

-Combination Smoke/Fire Dampers

(NFPA 80 2013 Edition, Chapter 19)

19.3.2 Combination Fire/Smoke Dampers. After the installation of a dynamic combination fire/smoke damper is complete, an operation test shall be conducted.

19.3.2.1 The test shall determine that the system has been installed and functions as intended.

19.3.2.3 The operational test shall verify that there are no obstructions to the operation of the dynamic combination fire/smoke damper.

19.3.2.4 The operational test shall verify that there is full and unobstructed access to the dynamic combination fire/smoke damper and all listed components.

19.3.2.5 All indicating devices shall be verified to work and report to the intended location.

19.3.2.6 The dynamic combination fire/smoke shall also meet the testing requirements contained in Chapter 6 of NFPA 105, the standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives.

19.3.3 Inspection. Following completion of the test, a visual inspection shall be made of the assembly to ensure no obstructions have been introduced.

19.3.4 Documentation. All inspections and testing shall be documented, indicating the location of the fire damper, date(s) of inspection, name of inspector, and deficiencies discovered. The documentation shall have a space to indicate when and how deficiencies were corrected.

Periodic Inspection and Testing.

19.4.3 Full unobstructed access to the fire or combination fire/smoke damper shall be verified and corrected as required.

Maintenance.

19.5.6 Maintenance of a combination fire/smoke damper shall also meet the maintenance requirements contained in Chapter 6 of NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives.

(NFPA 105 2013 Edition, Chapter 6)

6.3.2.4 Installation of combination fire/smoke dampers shall be in accordance with the installation of fire dampers in NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors, and Other Opening Protectives, Section 19.2.

6.3.2.5 Smoke Detectors used to control smoke dampers or fire/smoke dampers shall be spaced and installed per the requirements of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

6.4.1 Operational Test An operational test shall be conducted after the building’s HVAC system has been balanced.

6.4.1.1 The test shall be adequate to determine that the damper has been installed and functions as intended.

6.4.1.2 The operational test shall be conducted under normal HVAC airflow conditions as well as static flow conditions. The damper shall fully close/seal under both test conditions.

6.4.1.3 The operational test shall verify that there are no obstructions to the operation of the dynamic combination damper.

6.4.1.4 The operational test shall verify that there is full and unobstructed access to the dynamic damper and all appurtenances.

6.4.1.5 All indicating devices shall be verified to work properly and report to the intended location.

6.4.1.6 Combination fire/smoke dampers shall also meet te testing requirements contained in NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, Section 19.3.

6.5.5 Where a fusible link is installed on a combination fire/smoke damper, the fusible link shall be removed for testing and damper for full closure simulating a fire condition per the requirements and frequencies of 19.5.4 of NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives.

6.5.6 The test shall be conducted with normal HVAC airflow.

6.5.7 The operation of the damper shall verify that there is no damper interference due to rust or bent, misaligned, or damaged frame or blades’ and no defective hinges or other moving parts.

6.5.8 The damper frame shall not be penetrated by any foreign objects that would affect proper fire damper operations.

6.5.9 The damper shall be verified to not be blocked from closure in any way.

6.5.10 The fusible link shall be reinstalled after testing is complete. If the link is damaged or painted, it shall be replaced with a link of the same size, temperature rating, and load rating.

Maintenance

6.6.1 Any reports of abrupt changes in airflow or noise from the duct system shall be investigated to verify that it is not related to damper operation.

6.6.2 All exposed moving parts of the damper shall be dry lubricated as required by the manufacturer.

6.6.3 If the damper is not operable, repairs shall begin as soon as possible.

6.6.4 Following any repairs, the damper shall be tested for proper operation in accordance with Section 6.5.

6.6.5 Smoke actuation shall be initiated at a time interval recommended by the actuator manufacturer.

6.6.6 All maintenance shall be documented and records shall be retained in accordance with 6.5.11 and 6.5.12