When your home or business is being constructed, you depend on your contractors and expert team to create the safest building possible. With that in mind, they will be utilizing CRDs and CRD boots as part of their disaster protection plan.
You’re not alone if you’re in the dark about what CRDs and CRD boots are and what part they play in saving your building from massive disasters. Much like the saying that there are no small parts in a play, there are no small pieces when putting together HVAC (heating, venting, and air-conditioning) ductwork to prevent and protect buildings from worst-case scenarios.
What Does CRD Stand For?
CRD stands for ceiling radiation damper. Both ceiling radiation dampers and ceiling radiation damper boots are critical parts of your HVAC ductwork. These connect to your greater HVAC system by virtue of the HVAC registers, which are the openings to the HVAC ductwork that runs throughout the entire building.
Why are CRDs Important?
CRDs, are of significant importance because they slow down or eliminate the potential spread of heat and flames in the case of a fire. They limit the heat transfer into the attic and crawlspaces, thereby slowing a potential fire’s spread.
When looking at buildings such as hospitals or multi-unit office buildings, one area may be affected by the fire, whereas many others may not. Therefore, it is critical to keep the fire contained and not let it spread to the unaffected portions. The CRD will maintain the integrity of the HVAC ductwork by closing down and preventing the fire from spreading into the ceiling, attic, or other closed-off areas.
How do CRDs Work?
During a fire event, CRDs are designed to close at the first detection of intense heat or the activation of a fire detection system. This is an essential differentiation from other dampers since it needs to be able to close even with the HVAC system’s air circulation remaining on. In hospitals and similar buildings, even in the event of a fire, they need to keep their HVAC fans on. Therefore, the ability of a CRD to close against the air pressure is an essential and necessary component.
What Types of CRDs are There?
- Rectangular
- Round
- Blanket
- Single Blade
Your contractor will select the correct type, depending on your building type and HVAC system. Lloyd Industries is proud to have been serving the community for over 30 years. If you require the services of a contractor, we have a list of trusted contractors in your area to select from.
What are CRD Boots?
CRD boots, or ceiling radiation damper boots, are the metal pieces that connect registers to the greater HVAC ductwork. CRD boots are an additional piece of your fire protection arsenal. When your contractor is putting together your HVAC system, they will want to have CRD boots as part of that framework.
What are the Different Styles of CRDs?
When selecting your CRDs, different styles may be required, depending on building type and HVAC system.
There are two main types of CRDs:
- Butterfly
- Curtain-style
Butterfly-style CRDs – These work best in round ducts. They have a central pivot point that allows them to maintain a tight, continuous seal. This ability makes them the most helpful CRD for HVAC systems used in balancing systems, control air systems, stack isolation, incinerators, and scrubber systems.
Curtain-style CRDs – These are the top choice in building HVAC systems where the fans are set to be shut off in the event of a fire. With these CRDs, a fusible link holds the curtain at the top of the damper. The curtain keeps it clear of the air stream. When heat surpasses a set temperature, the fusible link will melt or break apart, and the curtain will drop, thereby closing the damper.
Maintenance and Testing of CRDs
Your HVAC system is in place, and you have your CRDs and CRD boots set up. You’re all done, right? No, you still must maintain and test all parts of your HVAC system. When setting up your testing and maintenance schedule, note that CRDs should be inspected and tested one year after you have them installed, and then plan on having them tested every four years. However, if your HVAC system is installed in a hospital, it only needs to be tested every six years.
Maintenance should be done every two years to verify that there is no rust on the damper and that any obstructions do not block it. When the technician does the maintenance inspection, they will also clean off any dirt build-up that may have occurred on the blades or frame of your damper or CRD boot. By doing this, they will make sure that your damper will be in top functioning form in the event of a fire.
Lloyd Industries Warranty
Lloyd Industries proudly stands behind all of the products that it sells. For 35 years, it has been a leader in the HVAC industry. It offers warranties for all products, like CRDs, CRD boots, brick vents, security bars, and more that Lloyd Industries manufactures and even those that it doesn’t. The warranty includes replacement material or repairs when applicable. If there is a defect in any item, Lloyd Industries does require that the defective item be returned.
Why Buy From Lloyd Industries?
You can buy from many companies, so why buy from Lloyd Industries? Aside from being an industry leader for 35 years, our warranty shows you that we are a company that stands by our top-of-the-line products. In addition, while we may have been focused on commercial real estate, we have continued to keep up with demand and open ourselves up to other industries.
Making sure that we are always on top of updated regulations ensures that our products are always up to code. In addition, we are constantly creating new products in all sizes to match all of our customers’ needs. Finally, we have downloadable Installation Guides to assist you if you install our items yourself. Alternatively, if you require the services of a contractor, we have a list of local reps that can help you with your installation needs.
CRDs and CRD boots are an integral part of any HVAC system. As with any fire prevention program, it is with foresight that we prevent widespread systemic damage if and when a fire breaks out. Lloyd Industries stands by every product we sell and look forward to working with you.
