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#32007 12/12/03 09:14 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
G
Member
Do you install disconnect switches when you wire a 120v smoke/fire damper??

I got into a bit of an argument with the local fire marshall recently. He did not like the disconnect switches that I installed at each damper.

His argument was, "You can't do that, no one else does it." No code reference given.

My argument was, "It's required by the NEC. If anyone turns it off the damper will spring to a closed postition."

He did relent and allow them to stay, but he was not very happy about it.

Most old work that I look at does not have switches at the dampers???

What do you do?
GJ

#32008 12/13/03 10:27 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 97
D
Member
I have never installed a switch and never seen one. You state its a code rule, can you please cite the code reference?

As an aside, where I work now we have many smoke purge systems and the dampers to the outside are held closed with a spring and when theres a fire it powers the damper open so the smoke can escape.

As a second aside, how long do damper motors last that are energized all the time? We had some complaints of no AC and/or no heat that was discovered to be motors that no longer worked (burned out maybe?) and had sprung shut during normal operation. These were about 20 years old. This also caused mold problems in one building due to lack of airflow.

#32009 12/13/03 10:40 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
An interesting subject, I have never thought to, or have seen disconnects for smoke dampers and my first reaction was "bad idea"

But I also install smoke evac fans on roofs and of course they get a disconnect switch.

I have seen them spring return open or closed, I guess that should be a decision made by the designer as to which way they should fail to.

Some smoke dampers need to shut during a fire and some need to open.

I would hope that the HVAC tech provided the right spring action for the application.

If the spring action is the right direction a disconnect will only make the damper stay in the "emergency" position.

You got me thinking though, (always dangerous) should disconnects on smoke evac fans have auxiliary contacts that trip a fire panel supervisory condition?

Edit; I changed "is" to "was" in the first paragraph as I was not expressing myself correctly.

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 12-13-2003).]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#32010 12/13/03 02:12 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
G
Member
Drillman,
Ok, your questions got me digging through my codebook, (which is a good thing).

I guess that I was looking at the damper as a motor that would require a disconnect under 430-IX. However, after thinking about it that might be an incorrect classification of a smoke damper. It might be better described as an appliance in which case the OCPD will suffice as a disconnect, (422.31(A)). There is no restriction for line of sight or distance in 422???

I'm willing to learn here and could very well be wrong so your opinions are welcome.

The only dampers that I have dealt with are powered open, spring closed. As far as motor life with the power applied, I really don't know. That is the way they are designed to work, and I've never had to change one out. That would probably fall to the HVAC guys in any case.

GJ

#32011 12/13/03 02:20 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
G
Member
"An interesting subject, I have never thought to, or have seen disconnects for smoke dampers and my first reaction is "bad idea""

I've been putting them in on dampers that are power opened, spring closed. The only hazard I see is that if the switch is opened there can be no airflow through that ductwork. It does make service work easier and safer.

But if it's not code required then I have been costing the company money installing switches that are not needed and may not even be a good idea????? If that is the case then I'll stop doing it.

GJ

#32012 12/13/03 02:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
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Moderator
I did not mean to say it is a bad idea just that without thinking about it that is what came to mind.

Once I thought about it I could see why you where doing it.

I have installed these when during a fire you want them open to allow fresh air in when the smoke exhaust fans are in operation.

In that case I would want the spring to open them. [Linked Image]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#32013 12/13/03 10:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 97
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Member
I am not saying the code does or does not require a disco but have never seen one or even seen it in the plans.

Intresting thing about the smoke evac fan discos. We have some of those and you are correct that if someone turns them off or an overload opens or a belt breaks the fire alarm panel has no way of knowing this.

Just another reason to remember that smoke evac systems need to be maintained and fully tested on a regular basis.

As for the fail open or close thing, here the wires that energize the evac fan motor starter also energize the damper motors. So they all spring to normal mode and energize to fire mode. It does not make sense to me either. I guess one could say that if theres theres no power, the fan will not run and the dampers are not needed.

We have some gravity dampers, those tend to stick open after a test and let in cold/hot air depending on the season.

Last but not least, if a damper motor burns out and spring closes the damper and closes off the air flow and nobody notices for awhile (possible in a big building) there may end up being a mold problem. That did in fact happen in one of our buildings.

#32014 12/15/03 08:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 59
C
Member
After reading this and recently having the same discussion between our mech. insp,
elec., insp and fire it came down to this-
fire dampers are part of the mech. equipment and requires a safety switch for service,
appliances per mech. code include materials,fittings, devices,and apparatus used as partof or in connection with installations regulated by this code.

#32015 12/15/03 09:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,527
B
Moderator
A couple of thoughts…I am not up on NFPA 72 or its regional variants.

It may be appropriate to install switches that can be locked in the closed position.

Also, supervisory contacts to generate a trouble alarm on switch opening may be desirable for the subject disconnect switches. ‘Stock’ auxiliary contacts are routinely available for heavy-duty XOP disconnect switches, but that might not be the case with light-duty versions. An acceptable substitute may be to use an otherwise unwired switch pole for supervision.

#32016 12/17/03 07:56 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
G
Member
I spoke with the AHJ today. He agreed that the disconnect switches are a good idea. He said that he had discussed it with the fire marshall and that was why the fire marshall backed off on it.

He wouldn't commit as to whether they are code required or not. He said that the next time it comes up we will dig into the code and come to a conclusion.

GJ


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