Subscriber Discussion

Monitoring Fire Smoke Dampers- How Do You Do It?

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Ross Vander Klok
•Oct 05, 2017
IPVMU Certified

We are having an issue with monitoring our Fire Smoke Dampers (FSD's).  The FSD's are closing but not triggering an alarm because the actuator does not close all the way before the damper in the duct is totally closed.  To get a trouble signal the Belimo FSLF120 -S -FC model we use needs to close all the way. 

So right now the only way we know a damper has failed is when people start complaining about heat/airflow/etc.  Then maintenance has to trace the duct to find the exact FSD that has failed.  Not a good system.  So looking for some ideas on how others are doing this and getting notified.

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Brian Rhodes
•Oct 05, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Is it possible to rig up a set of door NC contacts on the part that rotates, so if the actuator rotates even 15 degrees, it breaks the contacts?

If possible, each of those would get it's own zone in your system, they'd be armed always, and if something fails they system tells you which damper is bad.

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Ross Vander Klok
•Oct 09, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Brian Rhodes

Thanks for the reply Brian!  We are looking at doing something similar to that.  Using this device to place on the actual crank arm.  Same concept that gets us the notification of the damper closing or having an issue.  

Do you see an advantage of using the mercury switch over the contacts or vice versa?  I am thinking door contacts cost a whole lot less, but not sure how that would work with fire codes or any sort of standards.  As of now our Fire system vendor is being less than helpful on this attempt to find a solution.

 

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Brian Rhodes
•Oct 10, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Ross Vander Klok

Mercury switch might be more responsive than magnetic contacts, but like you mention not sure if they are as 'environmentally friendly'.

I think it would take quite a bit of Mercury to be a hazard, but AHJs tends to be wound pretty tight on stuff like that.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Oct 10, 2017

First, I'm surprised there is a fire rated device that doesn't do what it is supposed to and that's ok.

If I were to try to "rig" something I might try a PIV switch since it is an adjustable positioning switch.  You could treat the arm like the valve top.

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Ross Vander Klok
•Oct 10, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

The only thing the fire inspector cares about is whether the actual damper closes.  Apparently it is not part of code at all to monitor which damper is closed.  I have also learned these FSD's are powered with the motor keeping the damper open 24/7/365 so failures are not a surprise at all.  These things are in every duct that penetrates a wall too so we have 194 of them in our facility, but that is nothing compared to a hospital or large office building. 

There has to be a better way to be able to monitor these devices.  Maybe it is just this particular manufacturer?  Actually I have not reached out to them so I am going to try that too.

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