A ceiling radiation damper is, “a listed device installed in a ceiling membrane of a fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly to limit automatically the radiative heat transfer through an air inlet/outlet opening.”* Ceiling Radiation Dampers reduce the amount of radiant heat that reaches the structural components of the assembly, typically by closing the ceiling register opening when triggered by a heat-responsive device.

*2018 International Building Code. Definitions.

Fire dampers are intended for duct work penetrations entirely through a rated assembly. A ceiling radiation damper is intended for membrane penetrations of a rated horizontal assembly. A membrane penetration is, “A breach in one side of a floor-ceiling, roof-ceiling or wall assembly to accommodate an item installed into or passing through the breach.”* For example, duct running through the truss space and terminating at a register opening is considered a membrane penetration. In this case, ceiling radiation dampers are installed at the ceiling line.

*2018 International Building Code, Definitions.

A horizontal assembly is, “a fire-resistance-rated floor or roof assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained.”* SMACNA defines it as, “a form of construction comprised of floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling as an assembly which, when fire tested as a unit, has been assigned a fire endurance rating expressed in hours.”** The assembly is usually considered all of the components between ceiling and the floor above, such as the trusses, insulation, resilient channel, damper, and nailing plates. Together, all the components work to maintain structural integrity during a fire for a certain period of time.

*2018 International Building Code, Definitions.

**Fire, Smoke, and Radiation Damper Installation Guide for HVAC Systems, SMACNA, 2002.

A ceiling radiation damper is not recommended or sufficient for protection at the floor register of a fire-resistive-rated assembly, since ceiling radiation dampers have only been tested in a ceiling. There may be cases where a fire damper can be used in a floor register opening.

First, verify the floor-ceiling Assembly design number (e.g. Aire Technologies, Inc. L-587) in the UL Product iQ. Typically, multiple layers of sheet rock and/or metal channel spacers would require an extended boot throat or flange depth. Sometimes, multiple layers of sheetrock indicates an assembly that does not permit penetrations for duct openings of any kind, including those protected by ceiling radiation dampers.

The maximum height of a ‘standard’ ceiling damper/ boot assembly is normally not greater than 16”. Trusses are normally specified at 18” maximum height in a horizontal assembly, so this should not be an issue. You should first verify the floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling assembly design number (e.g. L-587) in the UL Fire Resistance Directory.

The Authority having jurisdiction always has sovereignty over the job. NFPA-80, chapter 19, also mandates that the links be replaced, or cleaned to the satisfaction of the AHJ.

RECOMMENDATIONS: If in doubt: REPLACE THEM.

A dynamic CRD is a ceiling radiation damper that was tested and intended for use in a system with fans running during a fire. If the fans shut off during a fire, the system is static. The ceiling radiation damper must be installed in a dynamically-rated floor-ceiling assembly and is not suitable for use in any existing floor-ceiling assembly that hasn’t been listed as a dynamic assembly.

A dynamic combustible floor-ceiling assembly is a horizontal assembly that has been tested with fans running in multiple directions during a fire test. A dynamic ceiling radiation damper cannot be used in a static assembly, and a static ceiling radiation damper cannot be used in a dynamic assembly. A dynamic assembly is not comparable to other existing floor-ceiling assemblies. A dynamic ceiling radiation damper can only be used with the specific listing that it has been tested for.

No. At the time of this writing, L500-series floor-ceiling assemblies are static. Dynamic ceiling radiation dampers cannot be used in a static assembly.

No. At the time of this writing, there are no roof-ceiling assemblies with listed dynamic ceiling radiation dampers.

A fire damper is, “a listed device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to close automatically upon detection of heat and resist the passage of flame.”* Fire dampers are installed in HVAC ductwork to reestablish the fire rating of the barrier (walls, floors or other rated partitions) through which the penetration was created. Fire dampers are specifically intended for through penetrations, not membrane penetrations.

*2018 International Building Code, Definitions.

Fire Rated Partition: A partition having an assembly of materials that will afford a given fire resistance rating (expressed in hours) to impede the spread of fire from one area to another.

*Fire, Smoke, and Radiation Damper Installation Guide for HVAC Systems, SMACNA, 2002

Fire Rated Barrier: A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained.

*International Building Code, 2018

The NFPA90A Chapter 3, Section 4 and the International Building Code (IBC 2018) Table 717.3.2.1 states that it is acceptable to install 3-hour dampers in penetrations rated 3 hours or greater.

The NFPA90A Chapter 3, Section 4 and the International Building Code (IBC 2018) Table 717.3.2.1 states that it is acceptable to install 1½-hour fire dampers in penetrations rated less than 3 hours.

A fusible link is a bi-metal, heat activated device used to hold damper blades in the open position. These links are comprised of two materials: 1) Two pieces of brass held together by 2) Heat sensitive solder (a fusible alloy). They are designed to activate at specific temperatures (most commonly 165°F or 212°F) and a specific load limit (most commonly 10lbs).

RECOMMENDATIONS: Dampers should not be stored in adverse conditions; specifically exposed to excessive heat. Examples might be in non-conditioned job trailers, portable storage units, or outdoors. Such exposures can lead to premature failure. Fusible links hold an ambient temperature rating that defines the maximum temperature of normal conditions.

Please refer to NFPA 80, Chapter 19, where intervals for inspection and service are found for Fire & Ceiling Radiation dampers. Generally speaking this should occur every four years.

A joint connecting a fire damper sleeve and attached duct work which will allow collapse of the duct work during a fire without disturbing the integrity of the fire damper.

*Fire, Smoke, and Radiation Damper Installation Guide for HVAC Systems, SMACNA, 2002

Access doors are utilized for the purposes of inspection & maintenance. Aire Technologies recommends an access door on either side of the fire rated barrier sized large enough to afford easy access for maintenance and repair. Please refer to typical SMACNA duct construction standards for sizing and pressure class requirements.

Please first refer to SMACNA guidelines for sizing of penetrations and typical installation of Fire Dampers.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Damper installation is designed to have free space, or a gap, around the perimeter (SMACNA Duct Construction Standards) to accommodate thermal expansion. No Aire Technologies, Inc. product has been tested with any type of caulking or fire stopping material. Therefore, use of any of these chemicals or materials is not recommended unless specified by the mechanical designer and approved by the AHJ.

No. A UL classified device (Fire Damper, Combination Fire/Smoke Damper, Smoke Damper, Corridor/Egress Damper, or Ceiling Radiation Damper) cannot be field modified. The device must be returned to the manufacturer for modifications or be replaced with the proper device.

The damper must be completely contained within the boundaries of the barrier. Therefore, if the barrier thickness is less than the dimensions of the damper you must install a damper to fit within the barrier.

A Smoke Damper is a listed device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to resist the passage of smoke. The device is installed to operate automatically, controlled by a smoke detection system, and where required, is capable of being positioned from a fire command center.

*International Building Code, 2009

A Combination Fire/Smoke Damper is a listed device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to close automatically upon the detection of heat and resist the passage of flame and smoke. The device is installed to operate automatically, controlled by a smoke detection system, and where required, is capable of being positioned from a fire command center.

*International Building Code, 2009

Yes, Aire Technologies offers optional in-duct smoke detectors on smoke dampers and combination fire & smoke dampers. These detectors will ship loose along with installation instructions.

Yes, “Activation of smoke dampers can be by area detectors that are installed in the related smoke compartment or by detectors that are installed in the air duct systems.”

*NFPA 90A, section A.6.3.2

Yes, the actuator can be installed on the inside (“internally mounted”) or the outside (“externally mounted”) of the ductwork. Additionally, the actuator can be mounted on the right or left side of the damper.

Aire Technologies offers square-to-round transitions for round and oval ductwork.

Smoke Damper: 8” x 8” to 144” W x 48” H
Combination Fire & Smoke Damper: 8” x 6” to 144” W x 48” H

All fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination fire and smoke dampers must be installed in a sleeve to allow for breakaway or rigid-duct connections.

The actuator for replacement must be a UL listed actuator suitable for the damper it is being installed on. The quantity of actuators and drive management must match the UL listing of the damper as well.

Leakage-ratings measured by the amount of smoke or air that can pass through the damper in the closed position. Silicone caulking is applied along surface interfaces and fasteners which have the greatest impact on the leakage rating of the damper:

Class 1 (Ultra Low Leakage): < 8 cfm/ft² leakage

Class 2 (Low Leakage): 8 cfm/ft² < 20 cfm/ ft²

Class 3 (Leakage): 20 cfm/ft² < 80 cfm/ ft²

The Aire Technologies Series 10 Out-of-Wall/Grille-Access combination fire & smoke damper will work in this type of application.

Aire Technologies offers an Out–of–Wall combination fire & smoke damper that eliminates the sleeve from protruding into the shaft.

A “corridor” is defined as an enclosed passage that defines and provides a path of egress. Aire Technologies offers a Corridor Damper (Series 40) that is designed for use in the ceiling of a corridor. A corridor wall would utilize a normal combination fire & smoke damper or a grille-access combination fire & smoke damper.

A louver is a device comprised of horizontal or vertical blades that permits the flow of air into a system while keeping out elements such as water and debris. There are many different types of louvers with a variety of purposes including protection from water, impact protection from wind borne debris, and manual or automatic air shutoff.

ATI offers a variety of extruded aluminum louvers to provide fresh air intake or exhaust. The louvers are rated and licensed by AMCA and Miami-Dade County and are designed to meet the performance criteria specified by engineers and architects. A number of styles and configurations are available including stationary drainable and non-drainable blades, combination louver/dampers, gravity/backdraft style blades, flanges, and sleeves.

ATI louvers meet a variety of AMCA ratings including Air Performance, Water Penetration, Wind Driven Rain, and High Velocity Wind Driven Rain.

Miami-Dade County in Florida developed a series of test protocols that subject products to hurricane wind and rain conditions. Louvers can be tested to as many as 4 different tests known as Test and Application Standards.

Air flow performance data can be found on ATI product submittal pages. Free area and CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) tables show how much CFM a given WxH for a particular model will handle and can be used to select a louver that will meet the air supply or exhaust needs of a system.

Yes, Aire Technologies offers a variety of finishes, including mill finish, powder coating, and primer. For color selection, please email [email protected].

The Aire Technologies combination louver/damper models have adjustable blades located behind the stationary blades that can rotate manually or with an actuator. For combination models, please see the product submittal pages for the models 638-CD, 438-CD, and 445-CW.

Louver free area is defined as the total open area of a louver divided by the overall wall opening. The total open area is derived by subtracting all obstructions, blades and frame, from the rectangular cross-sectional area. A well-engineered louver will maximize free area while allowing minimal amounts of water to enter.

First point of water penetration is the intake air velocity at which water passes through the louver. It is measured based on the air intake velocity in feet per minute (fpm) that causes water leakage.

All louvers ship from ATI in Oklahoma.