FSD Fire & Smoke Damper Installation & Maintenance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum clearance typically required between a fire damper sleeve and the surrounding construction?
- No clearance; the sleeve must be packed tightly
- 1/8 inch on all sides to allow for thermal expansion (Correct answer)
- 1 inch on all sides for access
- 2 inches to allow insulation wrapping
Correct answer: 1/8 inch on all sides to allow for thermal expansion
A small clearance of approximately 1/8 inch is required around the damper sleeve to allow for thermal expansion when exposed to heat.
Question 2: Which NFPA standard governs the installation of fire dampers and smoke dampers in HVAC systems?
- NFPA 13
- NFPA 90A (Correct answer)
- NFPA 72
- NFPA 101
Correct answer: NFPA 90A
NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, provides requirements for fire and smoke damper installation.
Question 3: A smoke damper is required to close when which condition is detected?
- Room temperature exceeds 165°F
- Smoke is present in the duct or space (Correct answer)
- The building sprinkler system activates
- Carbon monoxide levels rise above threshold
Correct answer: Smoke is present in the duct or space
Smoke dampers are designed to close upon detection of smoke in the duct or associated space to prevent smoke migration.
Question 4: After a fire damper has been triggered by its fusible link, what must be done before returning the damper to service?
- Simply reset the actuator with a reset button
- Replace the fusible link and reset the damper blades (Correct answer)
- Apply thermal grease to the blade pivots
- Verify the duct pressure and reset
Correct answer: Replace the fusible link and reset the damper blades
Once a fusible link melts and the damper closes, a new fusible link must be installed and the damper manually reset before the system is functional again.
Question 5: What is the purpose of an access door installed near a fire or smoke damper?
- To allow airflow bypass during maintenance
- To provide inspection and manual reset access to the damper (Correct answer)
- To house the fusible link storage supply
- To connect electrical conduit for the actuator
Correct answer: To provide inspection and manual reset access to the damper
Access doors near dampers allow qualified personnel to inspect, test, and manually reset the damper as required by code.
Question 6: Which type of actuator allows a smoke damper to be remotely controlled and monitored by a building automation system?
- Pneumatic spring-return actuator
- Electric modulating actuator (Correct answer)
- Mechanical gravity actuator
- Hydraulic fail-safe actuator
Correct answer: Electric modulating actuator
Electric modulating actuators enable remote operation, position feedback, and integration with building automation or fire alarm control systems.
Question 7: When a combination fire/smoke damper is installed in a smoke control system, it must close on both smoke detection AND at what temperature?
- 100°F
- 135°F
- 165°F (Correct answer)
- 212°F
Correct answer: 165°F
Combination fire/smoke dampers are rated to close at 165°F via their fusible link in addition to closing upon smoke detection.
FSD Fire & Smoke Damper Installation & Maintenance 2
What is the minimum clearance typically required between a fire damper sleeve and the surrounding construction?