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Fire damper offset from fire wall

BayPointArchitect

BayPointArchitect

Sawhorse
Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
516
Location
Lincoln
A mechanical engineer just sent me information from the manufacturer of a fire damper that illustrates a duct penetration through a fire-rated wall.

The literature states that the fire damper has been tested and approved as illustrated. The drawings illustrate the damper located within the duct and 16 inches from the wall.

That is contrary to how I have understood and enforced fire dampers while I have always thought that they should be located in line with the fire-rated wall.

In this particular case, the mechanical engineer is wanting to locate the damper 3 inches out of plane away from the wall. Perhaps to make easier access to reset the damper in the event it is tripped.

Thanks for your insight.

ICC Certified Plan Reviewer

NFPA Certified Fire Plan Examiner
 
www.Ruskin.com

3900 Dr. Greaves Rd.

Kansas City, MO. 64030

(816)761-7476

Installation Instructions for (D)IBC2/OW and (D)IBD2SS/OW Fire Dampers

1-1/2 Hour UL Classified Rating

Out of wall "OW" fire dampers are designed so that the leading edge of the damper frame can be up to 8" out of the wall, partition or masonry floor.
 
looks like everyone has blessed it.

BUT, will they install per manufacuture specs???
 
I installed a lot of dampers that where out of line with the wall. The key was the damper sleeve was 18 or 16 gauge thick depending on the rating of the wall.
 
I told the engineer to choose one of the following options:

Specify 16 gauge sleeve rather than the 20 gauge listed within the product information, or

Take a big black sharpee marker and write on the ductwork the UL test assemble number for the mechanical inspector to see.

Thanks everyone.
 
Is the retaining angle an install requirement or do you have the option to fire caulk around the damper and not use the retaining angle?

Anyone still there?

pc1
 
I would say at least one angle required and max 8" offset from what I saw.....

Pcinspector1 said:
Is the retaining angle an install requirement or do you have the option to fire caulk around the damper and not use the retaining angle?Anyone still there?

pc1
Click to expand...
 
The angle is probably an installation requirement to secure the fire damper to the rated wall. All fire damper details I've seen require slip connections so the duct can fall away during a fire without pulling the fire damper away from the wall.
 
Re: Fire damper offset from fire wall

mtlogcabin said:
Fire caulking is not permitted per tha dampers MFG instructions
Click to expand...
I've seen some damper retaining angles that were fire caulked and it bound up the damper during a fire. Good heads up for all.
 
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