A device known as an air damper controls or halts airflow via a duct, chimney, variable-air-volume (VAV) box, air-handling unit, or other similar equipment. In rooms where air conditioning is not necessary, dampers are also employed to block airflow. Some fire or smoke prevention systems use dampers.
Significance of Industrial Dampers (Air Dampers) in HVAC Systems
Industrial dampers play a crucial role in HVAC systems. Think of a dam, for instance. Like a dam for water, a damper stops air from flowing over it when it is close.
HVAC dampers are a major element of any zoning system. They function as duct valves, determining which areas of your home require how much heated or cooled air to maintain proper temperatures. Industrial dampers let you regulate the flow of air to various areas of your home since cold air sinks and hot air rises.
As regulations govern their use, air dampers are an important design element. Regulations govern the design of industrial dampers. Also, to maintain the required pressure level in the various compartments, they should design to reduce energy losses by preventing heat transfer across them when closed.
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Where are the Air Dampers located?
The most typical place for HVAC dampers in air damper manufacturing is in the main trunk line, before and after any significant intersections. Moreover, you can find them at specific locations on various system ducts, with two dampers on each main line spaced 90 degrees apart. Although dampers range from one manufacturer to the next and even from one unit to the next, most dampers have the following characteristics:
- These are spherical discs constructed of heavy cardboard or thick fiberglass (like egg crate bedding)
- They have a handle that may turn in either direction to allow or inhibit airflow through the damper.
- Some dampers have a pointed metal pin for a superficial rotating grasp.
Every home is unique. Some houses don’t even have any dampers. Depending on your property’s location, a supply duct from your furnace may exit to the right or left. Often, you may install a damper in the supply duct leading to your upper level. If you have exposed ducting, check each run to determine if any has dampers. Some homes have dampers in each run, which balances the air.
Uses of Air Dampers in Fire Protection
Fire dampers, smoker dampers, and combined fire/smoke dampers are the primary types used in fire prevention applications. An overview of the two kinds and their uses is below.
Fire Dampers
Automatic fire dampers stop the duct’s airflow, preventing flames from passing through. These dampers are put in ducts that traverse fire-rated assemblies or fire-rated walls to perform their function. They can be curtain-type or multi-blade type and fit in horizontal and vertical ducting.
A fusible link places all fire dampers in the open position. When the ductwork temperature reaches a predetermined level, gravity or a spring shuts off the damper by melting the fusible link. Fire dampers must pass several tests to ensure they serve their purpose.
The primary criteria for choosing a fire damper from an air damper company are the operation range, temperature, and fire resistance rating. The time that a damper can tolerate the heat from a fire determines its fire rating of 1.5 hours. Building codes mandate the preservation of the fire resistance rating over the whole area of walls, and partitions and this technique assures compliance. Parking garages, kitchen exhaust ducting, and dryer exhaust ductwork are the exclusions to using fire dampers.
Smoke Dampers
In HVAC systems intended to shut down in the event of a fire, smoke dampers, which only have two positions, prevent smoke from spreading. When a duct pierces a smoke partition or smoke barrier within a structure, these dampers fit in a slotted duct segment. Designed or passive smoke control systems are the two dampers that are in practice in some HVAC systems.
Smoke dampers in passive systems seal and stop air and smoke from passing through ducts or ventilation apertures that cross a smoke barrier. Contrarily, designed smoke control systems use the HVAC system of the building or unique fans that produce pressure differences to restrict the spread of smoke. Heat sensors, smoke sensors, fire alarms, or any other mechanism that satisfies the design goal, while air damper manufacturing may regulate smoke dampers.
Conclusion
Air dampers have several uses. This includes controlling airflow under normal operating circumstances to acting as a dependable fire or smoke barrier in an emergency. Working with a competent HVAC specialist from an air damper company or bubble-tight damper company is better since code compliance is a crucial factor to consider regardless of the application.
EB Air Control is a renowned bubble-tight damper company. You can contact us for any of your industrial damper needs. Get quicker turnaround while ensuring your mechanical systems are code-compliant and energy efficient.