FIRE DAMPER FOR 3 STOREY RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT

[PUMPMANPLEE]

GREETINGS HVAC GURUS,
I HAVE A 3 STOREY RESIDENTIAL APARMENT BUILDING
WITH A BASEMENT CARPARK.

THERE IS A CARPARK EXHAUST FAN LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT PLANTROOM AND THE EXHAUST AIR IS DISCHARGED VIA DUCTWORK INTO A VERTICAL MASONRY RISER & OUT THROUGH THE TOP OF THE ROOF.

ARE FIRE DAMPERS REQUIRED FOR RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

DO WE REQUIRE A FIRE DAMPER WHERE THE DUCT PENETRATES THE VERTICAL MASONRY RISER.

...THANKS FOR ASSIST.
PUMPMANPLEE

 

[walkes]

You should confirm with an Architect to ensure that the path does not penetrate any fire separations. If the duct path from the plant room to the riser is one compartment (the duct is within a fire-rated enclosure between the room and the shaft) you may not need any fire dampers.

 

[ChasBean1]

I'm going by memory so hopefully I'm accurate: In US, if the building is four or less stories, fire boundary requirements and need for fire dampering goes away. This may be for sprinklered buildings only, however. I believe you have fire boxes over four stories, and other requirements tacked on for high-rise (over 70 ft).

 

[Drazen]

Regarding basement exhaust, fire damper need should depend on masonry riser fire-rating. If it is not fire-rated I am pretty sure that you need fire damper.

Regarding residential storeys, it should depend on deinition of fire zones. In my country at least one drawing that shows fire zone separations is mandatory (and is a part of architectural scope). Where you have 2-hours rated fire walls, you need fire dampers. Even if you don't have such drawing, checking fire rating of walls in architectural drawings should give you the clue where to put fire dampers.