In fire protection, it is often the inconspicuous elements that make the difference between safety and disaster in an emergency. This also includes fire dampers in ventilation systems.
Ventilation systems are present in many buildings and ensure adequate air quality within a building. In the event of a fire, however, these are a source of danger if no fire dampers are installed, allowing toxic smoke to spread quickly throughout the building. Fire dampers therefore play an important role. We answer the questions in the following blog article:
- What are fire dampers?
- How do fire dampers work?
- Who is allowed to install fire dampers?
- Who is allowed to maintain fire dampers?
What are fire dampers?
Fire dampers prevent the spread of smoke, fire and hazardous gases via ventilation ducts to other areas of the building by closing automatically in the event of a fire. In this way, they not only protect people's lives, but also the building itself from serious damage.
How do fire dampers work?
In an emergency, fire dampers are activated by various mechanisms, including holding/pulse magnets, pneumatic systems or fusible links (with melting temperatures of 72 °C or 95 °C). Limit switches are often installed to monitor the movement of the dampers. Depending on the requirements of the system, the dampers are automatically switched off. The fire resistance period of fire dampers can be between 30 and 120 minutes.
There are different types of fire dampers, such as cold smoke detection, fire damper disc valves, overflow dampers and special kitchen exhaust air dampers.
Who is allowed to install fire dampers?
The installation of fire dampers requires specialist knowledge and experience in the field of ventilation and fire protection technology. As a rule, this is carried out by specialized companies - such as CWS Fire Safety GmbH, which have the necessary expertise and certification.
Who is allowed to service fire dampers?
The maintenance of fire dampers must also be carried out by qualified specialists. These can be the manufacturers themselves or specialized fire protection companies, for example. Proper maintenance ensures that the fire dampers function reliably in an emergency and can therefore save lives.
Important: According to the regulations, fire dampers must be serviced at least once a year by competent persons. In some cases, e.g. in environments with high levels of contamination, more frequent maintenance is required.
We provide support nationwide
Fire dampers are indispensable components for safety in buildings. Their proper installation and regular maintenance ensure that they work effectively in the event of a fire, protecting lives and property.
As a certified specialist company, we are happy to support you with the installation and maintenance of fire dampers.