FSD Fire & Smoke Damper Installation & Maintenance 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a periodic inspection, a technician finds a fire damper blade partially obstructed by duct liner that has pulled away from the duct wall. What is the correct action?
- Trim the liner flush and document but leave damper in service
- Remove the obstruction and verify full closure before returning to service (Correct answer)
- Secure the liner with duct tape and re-inspect in 30 days
- Deactivate the HVAC zone and notify the building owner only
Correct answer: Remove the obstruction and verify full closure before returning to service
Any obstruction preventing full damper blade closure must be removed and the damper tested for complete closure before returning it to service.
Question 2: What is the maximum duct velocity typically permitted through a curtain-type fire damper?
- 500 FPM
- 1,000 FPM
- 2,000 FPM (Correct answer)
- 4,000 FPM
Correct answer: 2,000 FPM
Curtain-type fire dampers are generally rated for a maximum airflow velocity of 2,000 FPM as specified by the manufacturer's listing.
Question 3: When installing a smoke damper in a duct that serves a pressurized stairwell, which fail-safe position is most appropriate?
- Fail-open, to maintain pressurization during a fire event (Correct answer)
- Fail-closed, to prevent smoke entry into the stairwell
- Fail in last position to maintain current airflow
- Fail-open on ground floor only, closed on all upper floors
Correct answer: Fail-open, to maintain pressurization during a fire event
Dampers serving pressurized stairwells typically fail open to ensure the stairwell remains pressurized and tenable as an egress path during a fire.
Question 4: A fire damper installation in a corridor wall requires a sleeve. What is the minimum steel gauge typically required for the sleeve?
- 26 gauge
- 22 gauge
- 16 gauge (Correct answer)
- 10 gauge
Correct answer: 16 gauge
Fire damper sleeves are typically required to be a minimum of 16-gauge steel to maintain structural integrity during a fire event.
Question 5: What does it mean when a smoke damper actuator is described as 'spring-return'?
- The damper uses a coiled spring to hold it open against airflow pressure
- The actuator returns the damper to its fail-safe position upon loss of power or signal (Correct answer)
- A spring mechanism allows the damper to modulate between open and closed
- Springs absorb vibration to prevent metal fatigue in the actuator
Correct answer: The actuator returns the damper to its fail-safe position upon loss of power or signal
A spring-return actuator automatically drives the damper to its fail-safe position (open or closed) when power or control signal is lost.
Question 6: Which document must be completed and retained to demonstrate that fire and smoke dampers have been tested per code requirements?
- A verbal confirmation from the AHJ inspector
- A written inspection and test report with damper ID, location, and test results (Correct answer)
- The original manufacturer installation sheet only
- A building permit placard posted at the mechanical room
Correct answer: A written inspection and test report with damper ID, location, and test results
NFPA 80 and NFPA 105 require written records of each damper inspection and test, including identification, location, date, and pass/fail results.
Question 7: A fire damper located in a duct penetrating a 2-hour fire-rated floor assembly must have a minimum fire rating of:
- 1 hour
- 1.5 hours
- 2 hours
- 3 hours (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 3 hours
Fire dampers protecting penetrations in 2-hour rated assemblies must have a minimum 3-hour (Type C) fire rating per NFPA 90A and the IBC.
FSD Fire & Smoke Damper Installation & Maintenance 4
During a periodic inspection, a technician finds a fire damper blade partially obstructed by duct liner that has pulled away from the duct wall.
What is the correct action?