No matter how careful you are, fires are a possibility in every commercial and private property, and there is no entirely foolproof way to protect against them. The problem can escalate in the event of a fire if you have ventilation or an air duct system in place. While these are essential to ensure you have clean and breathable air in your building, they are also a conduit for the fire to spread. That is unless you have working Fire Dampers in place to prevent this. So you may be wondering what a Fire Damper is and how it works – helping, we’ve created this article to guide you through.
What Are Fire Dampers
Fire dampers are a device fitted in air ducts that act as a block or mechanism to stop a fire and the related smoke from spreading through a building, usually via the ventilation system. There are three primary types of Fire Dampers that you will find in buildings.
Types of Fire Dampers
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Dynamic Dampers
This type is usually installed in a vertical barrier, as they have a long spring-loaded mechanism. In the event of a fire, the mechanism releases and shuts the damper doors, dropping them closed. Also, there is a fan in the system that builds up pressure that will keep the doors closed and the barrier in place.
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Static Dampers
This type is installed in horizontal barrier systems and has a curtain-type design. In the event of a fire, the curtain drops to prevent heat, flames, and smoke from crossing the barrier.
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Fire/Smoke Dampers
These are designed to block both fire and smoke independently of each other instead of needing the presence of fire to activate.
All types of Fire Dampers have pros and cons, so it is essential to consult your fire safety installation team for advice on which suits you and your business needs.
How Do Fire Dampers Work
Fire Dampers often operate with circuits and sensors that rely on a fusible link that melts down in the presence of heat generated by fire. This meltdown triggers the fire damper activation and closes the mechanism doors. Fire dampers with circuits can be engaged via a control station or programmed to certain specifications, such as when smoke detectors are activated.
While this system is straightforward, it must be running and functioning correctly to do this basic safety job to prevent fire from spreading through an entire building and endangering occupants.
Keep Your Fire System Safe With Grease Gone
Considering the essential safety of each element of a fire system, they must be regularly examined and tested regularly. So with all of this in mind, when was the last time you had your building ventilation and fire system checked, cleaned, and tested? We offer Fire Damper Testing, Ventilation Cleaning, and many other building safety and cleanliness services to keep your system safe. When you need a professional, reach out to Grease Gone Commercial Cleaning London for further details about how we can help.
