Fire damper query

sparks82 · 02-05-2016 10:41AM #1

This may seem like a stupid question but is it acceptable to install a 60 minute fire damper in a 30 minute fire wall.

The damper carries a CE mark and has been tested in masonry & plasterboard walls, however they have only been tested for 60 minutes.

My thinking is that the fact that the damper has been tested for over & above the rating of the fire wall it is acceptable but a colleague has told me it is not acceptable because it has not been tested for 30 mins.

Any advise is welcome.

Thank you in advance

Calahonda52 · 02-05-2016 12:36PM

As long as the cert for the project requires a 30 minute rating sign off then I believe you are fine to use it and your colleague is somewhat mistaken

Metric Tensor · 02-05-2016 02:26PM

I don't know the answer to this one but I can see his colleagues point:

This piece of equipment has been proven to provide 60 minutes resistance when installed in X type of wall.

That does not mean it will give 30 minutes in Y type of wall.

I suppose the question is if the type of wall in which the unit is installed affects the result of its fire test. The manufacturer should be able to tell you.

Calahonda52 · 02-05-2016 10:36PM

http://www.h-v-c.com/products/pdf/S100-fire-damper-ce-mark.pdf
is a link to a product I have seen installed.
In the interest of trying to add to the knowledge here, my read of the CE mark is that it is given, in this case following being
Assessed against the requirements of
BS EN 15650

The CE is for types of floors and walls and has detailed installation instructions for each application.
The test is in a furnace, with the associated specified wall/floor surround.

So IMO, if its installed as per the cert requirements for 60 minutes, then its good for 30
HTH

Fire damper query

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