Do Chimney Dampers Need to Be Used?
For the majority, having fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, fire blankets, sirens, and smoke detectors on site constitutes a good fire safety system. Of course, these are all crucial components of fire prevention, but fire dampers shouldn’t be overlooked.
In order to stop the spread of fires, HVAC ducts are equipped with fire dampers, which are passive fire protection equipment. They are typically installed through fire-resistant-rated walls and floors inside the ductwork.
The dampers activate when there is a temperature increase; typically, this occurs when a fusible link melts at a temperature that is higher than ambient but lower than what would signal a fire (typically 72 degrees Celsius). The damper closes when spring locks engage, keeping the fire contained in its immediate area and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building.
There are many different kinds of dampers, including single and multi-blade fire dampers, mechanical fire dampers, intumescent fire dampers, insulated fire dampers, and curtain fire dampers. All of them, nonetheless, have one thing in common: they safeguard the well-being and lives of those who occupy the structure.
You are probably aware of the significance of opening your chimney damper before starting a fire and closing it when it has been extinguished. However, did you realize that dampers frequently fall short of accomplishing their main purpose? Dampers are designed to stop downdrafts of outdoor air from entering your home and to stop the air from inside your home from being drawn up and out of the chimney. The two most troublesome effects of ineffective dampers are that your utility expenditures may drastically rise and that foul chimney odors may infiltrate your home.
When they’re functioning properly, fire dampers—the unsung heroes of your conventional fire prevention system—can significantly alter the outcome of a fire.
The majority of individuals are unaware of the main function of fire dampers in their buildings. Although they are in the ductwork, they don’t totally put out the fire; rather, they guide it in the direction of the fire compartment, a room with flame-resistant walls, doors, and floors that is completely insulated. With this in place, occupants will have a lot more time to leave the building, and the fire will be contained to a specific region with a small amount of fuel as opposed to spreading throughout the entire structure.
You may carry out simple do-it-yourself tests to determine how tight of a seal your fireplace’s damper creates. Try trapping a dollar bill between the damper plates as you close it to test your damper. A lot of air is undoubtedly leaking through the damper if the bill slides out with ease. The damper might only be leaking in one place, so carry out the same test all the way across it.
We have discovered in several of our audits that dampers have been unlawfully disregarded, despite the fact that fire dampers are a critical component of fire prevention systems. Engineer reports haven’t really done much more than check a box to show that the damper has been inspected, without actually focusing on whether it is put correctly or in good operating condition. Contact a Local Chimney Cleaning Oakland expert for proper cleaning and inspection.