FD Damper

Installation, Operating and Maintenance Instructions 3.11 Dampers need to be kept clean and dry, cement dust coming into contact
with the closure springs should be avoided.

4 Equipment required
1 Storage
Dampers received on site should be stored in a purpose made storage area, 4.1 Equipment and tools will vary dependent upon the fire barrier construction that
where they can be protected from moisture, dust and impact damage until the damper is being installed within. Standard equipment that is normally used
required. for the building of the particular barrier should suffice.
4.2 Access-equipment as necessary.
2 Health and Safety 4.3 Temporary support equipment (to retain damper in position).
2.1 Only competent personnel may carry out the work outlined within this document. 5 Preparation for Installation
2.2 The wearing of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (gloves, footwear,
safety glasses etc.) is required for safe working and as the site dictates. 5.1 For each damper installation type, refer to the relevant installation detail below.
2.3 Dampers may be heavy. Large dampers will require suitable lifting and 5.2 Before installation, the damper should be inspected to ensure that it has not been
damaged and is in good condition following site storage.
supporting equipment, with due consideration given for manual handling.
5.3 Remove packaging materials.
2.4 Dampers may close without warning. Do not introduce limbs/fingers in the path Check damper (label) reference, damper size, Fusible Link option and temperature
5.4
of blade travel. to site specification.
2.5 Never pull the side springs off their locking ramp pin. The springs are very strong 5.5 Dampers are supplied in open position, with fusible link taped up with orange
and sharp and will damage fingers even when gloves are being worn! “remove before installation” tape. Remove this tape and drop test the damper (refer
2.6 All work should be carried out in accordance with HSE guidelines and regulations to section 11).
and any specific local site rules. 5.6 Determine required position of damper. Check sufficient space exists to fit the
product. Ensure any services (e.g. electrical/plumbing) within the structure or
3 Important running close to the structure will not be affected.
3.1 These instructions should be read in its entirety before commencing work. The 5.7 Consideration should be given beforehand, to the depth of the wall, relative to
installer must be competent with the manufacturer’s separating element damper case length and connecting ductwork.
construction.
3.2 All Fire Damper installations must be carried out to the satisfaction of the
appropriate Building Control Officer and/or specifying authority.
3.3 Refer to section 11 for testing before installing. Complete Insp Check List (at end
of this document).
3.4 For existing dry walls – When cutting the opening for damper, and (partial)
removal of stud is unavoidable, ensure the structure is sufficiently supported to
conform to design specification.
3.5 Dry wall openings must be lined.
3.6 Ensure that appropriate ‘fire-rated’ plasterboard is used throughout the
construction of drywall partitions that need to act as fire-barriers.
3.7 Ductwork to be fitted and connected in accordance with DW 144/145. Aluminium
rivets should be used (to act as breakaway joint).
3.8 All installations are subject to local Building Control Approval (BCA). Tested
Installations are detailed herein. If the proposed installation has minor variations Figure 1 (Lined
to that shown, acceptance from BCA should be sought before proceeding. opening)
3.9 Manufacturers are not able to ‘approve’ specific installation methods.
3.10 Refer to main product brochure for full product details and specification. Where
more than one duct penetrates a wall or floor, adjacent fire damper assemblies
should be separated by a structural element with a minimum width of 200mm (to
comply with BS EN1366-2 13.6).

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6 Dry wall preparation (see figure 1)
6.1 Preferably, prepare the opening whilst building wall, or cut opening if wall already
exists. However, for cleated option, drop rods are required to be fitted prior to
building the wall. Drop rods need to be sufficiently affixed to structure and be
sized to cope with the damper’s weight (refer to figure 13).
6.2 Cleated and Frameless Installations.
6.2.1 The opening must be ‘lined out’ 10mm (-0+5mm) clearance top and bottom
and 60mm maximum per side. (see fig 2).
6.2.2 The cut size should be 30mm maximum (width), and 20mm (height) plus twice
the wall board thickness above the overall damper’s case size.
6.2.3 Measure overall damper casing size. E.g. for a 755mm w x 825mm h overall
case sized damper with 12.5mm wall board, the cut size should be 900 x 870mm
(xxx + (2x12.5) + 120)wby (yyy + (2x12.5) + 20)h.
6.3 Angle Frame Installation size
6.3.1 The hole must be ‘lined out’ 10mm clearance all around.
6.3.2 The cut size should be 20mm plus twice the wall board thickness above the
FIGURE 2
overall damper case size.
6.3.3 Measure overall damper casing size. E.g. for a 755mm w x 825mm h overall
case sized damper with 12.5mm wall board, the cut size should be 800 x 870mm
(xxx + (2x12.5) + 20) by (yyy + (2x12.5) + 20).
6.4 Mark out the position and size of required cut size on the wall.
6.5 Using appropriate means (e.g. jig saw), cut the hole in the wall, removing each
layer and any infill that is present.
6.6 Cut 2 pieces of steel track equal to opening width.
6.7 Fit track to top and bottom of opening, screwing in position from both sides of
wall at each end of track with drywall screws and at maximum 300mm centres. Cut
6.8 2 more pieces of track, equal to the opening height.
6.9 Fit track to sides of opening, screwing in position in a similar manner as above.
6.10 Cut 4 ‘batons’ of fire board to suit opening. Screw each baton with 25mm drywall
screws @max 300mm pitch to the track that is lining the opening. Ensure batons
are flush with the surfaces of the wall.

7 Dry wall – Pattress Fit and Cleated Damper – Fig. 2

7.1 For wall thicknesses above 125mm, fit ductwork to damper prior to positioning
damper within wall.
7.2 Prepare 16 off pattress pieces from plasterboard of same material as main
FIGURE 3
construction. Plasterboard pattress should be sufficiently wide to butt up to
damper spigots/duct and overlap the outer edge of the track lining the opening by
at least 10mm. They need to be long enough to form neat corners.
FIGURE 3

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 7.3 Position the damper centrally in wall opening (width/height), with blade pack at 9.7 While supporting the damper centrally in the cavity, secure the builders ties to
the top. To aid positioning vertically, position a pair of 10mm ‘spacers’ on the the looped wall anchors with 1.5mm galvanized steel wire. (The loops must be
bottom of the opening 50mm from each corner to stand the damper on. tight and a minimum of 3 loops is recommended). (See Fig 7 & 8).
Temporarily support damper. Fit ducting to damper. Use aluminium rivets to act 9.8 Fill the surrounding cavity with 4:1 builders sand/cement mortar and finish
as ‘breakaway joints. to desired standard
7.4 Where cleats are fitted to the damper for support purposes (FD-CL), drop rods
should be fitted. The table in figure 10 at end of this document, gives
reference to sizing requirements of the threaded drop rods. Support nuts should
only be fitted below cleats.
7.5 Two layers of pattress are required each side of wall and the corners should
9.9
‘overlap’ between the first and second layers.
Dry wall screws of sufficient length to ‘pick up’ with the steel track within the 9.10
7.6
wall, at 300mm max centres should be used to fix each layer of dry wall 9.11
batons. 9.12
7.7 Apply intumescent sealant to the pattress parts and fit snugly up against the
duct.
7.8 It is not a necessity to fill the void between pattresses.
7.9 Fit second pattress in similar manner to the first pattress.

8 Dry wall - Angle Frame Installation – Fig. 3

8.1 Refer to section 4 for wall preparation instructions.
FIGURE 5
8.2 It is advisable to pre-drill the angle frame of the damper before fitting within
opening. Note the position of the internal track in the wall and mark nominal hole
fixing positions at 150mm maximum centres. Position the damper centrally in wall
FIGURE 4
opening (width/height), with blade pack at the top. To aid positioning vertically, Access side. Locking
position a pair of 10mm ‘spacers’ on the bottom of the opening 50mm from each ramps uppermost
corner to stand the damper on.
8.3 Screw the angle frame to the wall using drywall screws @ 150mm max pitch.
8.4 It is not a necessity to fill the void behind the angle frame or fit a pattress on the
non-access side. FIGURE 6
8.5 Important: Ensure the screws ‘pick up’ the track lining the hole, so that the proper
fire integrity of the installation will not be compromised.
9 HEVAC Frame Installation (wall and floor) – Figs 4-8
9.1 Preferably, prepare opening whilst building the wall/floor (or cut an opening to FIGURE 7 FIGURE 8
the correct size if the wall/floor already exists).
9.2 Finished sizes should be 50mm min to 75mm max greater than HEVAC frame
assembly extremities. The rougher the surface, the better for keying the mortar.
9.3 The damper is not load-bearing and additional support for the top of the wall
opening is achieved by means of a lintel or other approved method.
9.4 Fit looped steel wall anchors (Ø6mm min) all round the inside of the
opening incorresponding positions to the HEVAC frame builder’s ties.
9.5 Bend the builder’s ties out. (See Figs 7 & 8)
9.6 (Vertical installation only) Prepare a pair of spacing blocks, (approx. 25mm cubed)
from any available material (such as drywall boards). Position spacing blocks
within the opening at extremities of damper and stand the damper on blocks so
that damper is central in opening.
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10 Angle Frame Installation into Masonry Wall – Figs 9 & 10
FIGURE 9
10.1 Preferably, prepare opening whilst building the wall (or cut an opening if the wall
already exists).
10.2 Determine / Measure overall damper casing size.

10.3 Opening size: 10mm clearance per side all around.

10.4 E.g. for a 750mm w x 800mm h overall case sized damper, the opening size
should be 770 x 820mm.
10.5 The damper is not load-bearing and additional support for the top of the wall
opening is achieved by means of a lintel or other approved method.
10.6 It is advisable to pre-drill the angle frame of the damper before fitting within
opening. Mark nominal hole fixing positions at 150mm maximum centres
10mmin from the extremities of the angle frame flange. Drill all holes
(+0.50mm clearance) to suit fixings (see 9.4 below).
10.7 Prepare a pair of spacing blocks, (approx. 10mm thick) from any available
material (such as drywall boards). Position spacing blocks within the opening at
extremities of damper and stand the damper on blocks so that damper is central
in opening and provide temporary support of the damper ensuring it stays safely
in position.
10.8 If the wall construction is aerated concrete (breeze block), Tackburn Loden
Anchors 6.5mm dia 60mm can be installed at each of the damper fixing holes.
Orientate the fixings so that expansion direction follows opening sides (otherwise
fracture between fixing and edge ofopening may occur).
10.9 If the wall construction is brick or solid concrete, mark hole positions using holes
in damper frame as template, then remove damper. Drill allholes to suit fixings. FIGURE 10
Reposition damper and fix. Fire Rated Steel fixingsshould be expanding anchor
type. Min 5mm dia x Min 30mm long.

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11 Angle Frame Installation into Concrete Floor – Figs 11 & 12
11.1 Preferably, prepare opening whilst building the floor (or cut an opening if the floor
already exists). FIGURE 11
11.2 Determine / Measure overall damper casing size
11.3 Opening size - 10mm clearance per side all around
11.4 E.g. for a 750mm w x 800mm h overall case sized damper, the finished size
should be 770 x 820mm.
11.5 It is advisable to pre-drill the angle frame of the damper before fitting within
opening. Mark nominal hole fixing positions at 150mm maximum centres
approx. 10mm in from the extremities of the angle frame flange. Drill all
(+0.50mm clearance) holes to suit fixings (see 10.3 below).
11.6 Position the damper centrally into the opening from above, with blade pack
oriented as required.
11.7 If the floor construction is aerated concrete, Tackburn Loden Anchors 6.5mm
dia 60mm can be installed at each of the damper fixing holes. Orientate
the fixings so that expansion direction follows opening sides (otherwise
fracture between fixing and edge of opening may occur).
11.8 If the floor solid concrete, mark hole positions using holes in damper frame as
template, then remove damper. Drill all holes to suit fixings. Reposition damper
and fix. Fire Rated Steel fixings should be expanding anchor type. Min 5mm dia
x Min 30mm long.
11.9 Mark hole positions on the surface of the floor, then remove damper. Drill all
holes to suit fixings.
11.10 Fire Rated Steel fixings should be expanding anchor type. Min 5mm dia x Min
30mm long.
11.11 Fix the angle frame to the floor.
11.12 It is not a necessity to fill the void behind the angle frame or fit a pattress to the FIGURE 12
underside.

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 13 Routine Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
12 Instruction for testing Damper
12.1 Important – when manually resetting, holding open or releasing the blade pack, ensure 13.1 Refer to Health and safety procedure (section 1)
the bottom blade remains parallel with the top of damper at all times, i.e. always hold
13.2 In accordance with BS 9999 Annex W.1, inspection should be undertaken annually.
bottom blade centrally along its length. Failure to do so, may cause the damper side
Local regulations/conditions may override this with periodic Inspection being carried
springs to twist/tangle rendering the damper unusable.
out more frequently where corrosive or dirty conditions prevail. The maintenance log
12.2 Prior to fitting damper for first time, stand/lay damper on solid surface as per its should be reviewed at each inspection and the frequency adjusted as required
intended installation. Ensure the blade pack is uppermost for vertical installations. dependent upon findings. (BSB recommend a maximum of 1 year between inspections
Follow 11.3 or 11.4 below as appropriate. and to start more frequently initially and reduce frequencies only if conditions are
12.3 Standard Link proven to allow).
12.4 Relieve the damper blade pressure on the fusible link by pushing bottom blade away 13.3 Remove access door to reveal damper’s internal elements.
from link with one hand and lifting the fusible link off its pair of retaining pins. Keep 13.4 Visually inspect the internal damper elements for signs of corrosion, obstruction or
the fusible link safe for refitting later. accumulated dirt/dust.
12.5 Ensuring the blade pack path is clear, quickly remove hand holding the blade pack 13.5 If there are any obstructions or if the damper’s blades, side springs, case side seals
taking care to ensure the blades are released centrally and evenly to emulate the are dirty, they need to be cleaned.
release of the fusible link. 13.6 Use a soft cloth with a light application of light lubricant. (Connect Duck Oil
12.6 Damper blade pack closes under spring/gravity action. recommended).
12.7 Visually check the bottom blade locks into the locking ramp notch at each side of the 13.7 There should be no more than a thin film of lubricant applied. Remove all excess
damper. lubricant. It is particularly important as excess oil will tend to collect dirt and dust which
12.8 Reopen the damper by pushing the bottom blade away from the locking ramps or will have a negative effect on dampers remaining clean.
by pulling the “ring pull(s)” depending which way round the damper is. 13.8 Replace access doors, ensuring the damper is left open.
Keeping the bottom blade parallel with the top of the case and the ring pull facing 13.9 Record all work that has been undertaken in the maintenance log.
inwards, push the blade pack upwards ensuring that the blades fold in a pleated 13.10 It is important to record, and review maintenance frequency based on inspections and
format to ensure the blades are compact when reset. test history.
It is important that the individual blades and not forcefully folded back on themselves
as this may result in critical damage to the continuous interlocking hinge section where
the blades join along their length. Figure 13
(The table below, gives guidance on threaded
12.9 Gate Latch Link
drop rod sizing for damper weight and fire
12.10 Ensuring the blade pack path is clear, gently pull the closest gate latch lever toward rating)
you. The Fusible link swings away and is retained on the other side of the gate latch
Drop-rod load bearing specification for Fire Rating:
bracket. (Note: for dampers above 150mm high or dia, the gate latch function is from
either side. Below this damper size, gate latch function only operates from the non- Max load per pair of studs (kg)
ramp side). Drop-rod size E60 E120 E240
12.11 Damper blade pack closes under spring/gravity action.
12.12 Visually check the bottom blade locks into the locking ramp notch at eachside of the M6 55 36 21
damper. M8 100 66 40
12.13 Reopen the damper by pushing the bottom blade away from the locking ramps or M10 159 106 63
pulling the “ring pull(s)” depending which way round the damper is. Push blade pack M12 233 155 93
towards and into top hat of the damper and refit the fusible link pin into its retaining
slot of the fusible link retainer.

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 Installation Check List
14 Fault finding

Symptom Fault Action DAMPER REFERENCE NO.: DAMPER LOCATION:

Foreign object impeding blades Remove item
Damper does not Buildup of dirt / dust / corrosion Remove / clean case &
close properly when impeding blades blades as required (see
drop tested section 11) DAMPER SIZE:

Springs twisted / kinked Springs will require WIDTH HEIGHT

replacement. Refer to
BSB technical sales WALL/FLOOR APERTURE SIZE (‘OPENING SIZE’)
office.
Gate Latch link not Release lever bent inwards allowing Bend lever by hand to WIDTH HEIGHT
retained when fusible link to come into contact when 90° with damper case.
releasing blade pack blades are released See figure 14 below
via the release lever.
DAMPER INSTALLED BY: ..........................................................
Damper closed when Fusible link released Replace link. (Print name)
open state is Air Temperature of the link has been Refer to BSB technical
expected exceeded. sales office. Signature: Company: Date:
Fusible link missing or not fitted Fit link
correctly
FINAL INSPECTION BY: ..........................................................
(Print name)

Signature: Company: Date:

Figure 14
Release
Lever

This document is available to download from the BSB website.

This document is subject to change without notice.
BSB Engineering Services Ltd
Tel +44 (0)1795 422609
Email: [email protected] website: www.bsb-dampers.co.uk

V1 March 2022

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