Fire safety is an essential part of all emergency planning, whether considering residential spaces or commercial buildings. Each setting presents unique conditions, and there are many solutions, including fire dampers, for the prevention of disasters in the event of an emergency.
The dental setting is not one that many might consider particularly vulnerable to fire dangers. However, it is estimated that roughly 600 surgical fires occur every year in medical settings. The dental chair accounts for many of these annual fires. As you can imagine, a fire of this nature could cause significant damage to people and equipment and lead to tragedy if proper precautions are not in place.
A critical piece of fire safety is passive fire protection. Passive measures are put in place to act in the event of a fire. These measures work to contain or slow the spread of a fire. Fire dampers are one way to contain fires in a dental setting and ensure that it stays small in the event of a fire. This will reduce damage to patients, dentists, and office personnel. In addition, the damage to the building’s structure is minimized.
What are Fire Dampers?
Fire dampers are metal fittings installed in air conditioning, heating, and ventilation ducts as a means of passive fire prevention. In the event of a fire, the doors on a fire damper shut. Closing the damper’s doors cuts off the airflow through the vents, preventing the fire’s spread to other rooms of the building via the ducts. This act alone can potentially contain a fire to a single room. Sealing airflow also helps prevent the spread of smoke, further protecting people from a fire’s damaging effects.
There are two types of fire dampers:
- static
- dynamic
How do Dynamic Dampers Cut Off Airflow?
When building fire systems do not have a built-in fan shut-off feature, dynamic fire dampers are installed. These dampers feature a spring-loaded design. When the damper detects extreme heat, this will activate damper closure. Dynamic dampers are rated for use in systems where fans continue to run in a fire event.
Which Damper is Best for a Dental Office?
The choice depends on the building’s HVAC system and unique needs and layout. Professional licensed contractors like those with Lloyd Industries can help determine which style is best for your building.
Professionals should inspect your equipment at installation, one year following, and then routinely every four to six years. They should also be inspected any time damage occurs to ensure they are still working properly.
When it comes to selecting the right damper for a dental office, the choice hinges on several factors, primarily the design and specifications of the building’s HVAC system, as well as the specific needs and layout of the dental office itself. To make this crucial decision, it’s recommended to consult with professional licensed contractors, such as those affiliated with reputable companies like Lloyd Industries, who can conduct a thorough assessment and recommend the most suitable damper style for your particular circumstances.
In addition to choosing the right damper initially, regular maintenance and inspections are vital to ensure the ongoing safety and efficiency of your HVAC system and fire dampers. Professionals should conduct a comprehensive inspection during the installation phase and perform follow-up inspections one year after installation. Subsequently, routine inspections every four to six years are crucial to guarantee the continued functionality and compliance of the fire dampers. Furthermore, any time damage occurs or concerns arise, prompt inspections and maintenance should be carried out to ensure that the fire dampers are still operating properly, thereby upholding the safety standards required for a dental office’s fire safety system.
