This is a preview of "AMCA 503-08". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

AMCA
Publication 503-08
Fire, Ceiling (Radiation),
Smoke and Fire/Smoke
Dampers Application Manual

AIR MOVEMENT AND CONTROL

ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL, INC.

The International Authority on Air System Components

This is a preview of "AMCA 503-08". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

AMCA PUBLICATION 503-08

Fire, Ceiling (Radiation), Smoke and Fire/Smoke

Dampers Application Manual

Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.

30 West University Drive
Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1893
This is a preview of "AMCA 503-08". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

© 2008 by Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.

All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted by Sections 107 and
108 of the United States Copyright Act without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Requests for
permission or further information should be addressed to the Executive Director, Air Movement and Control
Association International, Inc. at 30 West University Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1893 U.S.A.
This is a preview of "AMCA 503-08". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Authority

This publication was adopted by the membership of Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. on
October 15, 2008.

AMCA 503 Review Committee

Jeff Kirkwold, Chair Honeywell, Inc.

Bob Van Becelaere Ruskin Co.

Mike Binkholder Mestek, Inc.

Dane Carey United Enertech

Larry Kozak Ward Industries, Inc.

Marty Gissel Greenheck Fan Corp.

Eric Gohring Louvers and Dampers, Inc.

Dan Rau Ruskin Co.

Tim Orris AMCA International

Disclaimer

AMCA uses its best efforts to produce standards for the benefit of the industry and the public in light of available
information and accepted industry practices. However, AMCA does not guarantee, certify or assure the safety or
performance of any products, components or systems tested, designed, installed or operated in accordance with
AMCA standards or that any tests conducted under its standards will be non-hazardous or free from risk.

Objections to AMCA Standards and Certifications Programs

Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. will consider and decide all written complaints regarding
its standards, certification programs, or interpretations thereof. For information on procedures for submitting and
handling complaints, write to:

Air Movement and Control Association International

30 West University Drive
Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1893 U.S.A.

or

AMCA International, Incorporated

c/o Federation of Environmental Trade Associations
2 Waltham Court, Milley Lane, Hare Hatch
Reading, Berkshire
RG10 9TH United Kingdom
This is a preview of "AMCA 503-08". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Related AMCA Standards and Publications

ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-D Laboratory Methods of Testing Dampers for Rating

AMCA Publication 502 Damper Application Manual for Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

AMCA Publication 511 Certified Ratings Program for Air Control Devices

AMCA Publication 111 Laboratory Accreditation Program

This is a preview of "AMCA 503-08". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

2. Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

3. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

4. Codes and Authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

4.1 Code authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

4.2 Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

4.3 Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

5. Testing and Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

5.1 Fire dampers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

5.2 Smoke damper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

5.3 Combination fire/smoke damper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

5.4 Ceiling (radiation) damper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

6. Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

7. Damper Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

7.1 Fire damper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

7.2 Smoke dampers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

7.3 Combination fire/smoke damper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

7.4 Ceiling (radiation) damper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

8. Installation Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

8.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

8.2 Fire dampers (including combination fire/smoke dampers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

8.3 Smoke dampers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

8.4 Ceiling (radiation) dampers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

8.5 Corridor damper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

8.6 General notations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

This is a preview of "AMCA 503-08". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

9. On-Site Testing, Maintenance, and Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

9.1 On-site testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

9.2 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

9.3 Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Annex A. Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

A.1 Fire damper accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

A.2 Ceiling (radiation) damper accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

A.3 Combination fire/smoke and smoke (leakage-rated) damper accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Annex B. Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

This is a preview of "AMCA 503-08". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

AMCA INTERNATIONAL, INC. AMCA 503-08

Fire, Ceiling (Radiation), closure under airflow.

Smoke, and Fire/Smoke Smoke damper: A device installed in ducts and air
transfer openings that is designed to resist the
Dampers Application Manual passage of air and smoke. The device operates
automatically and is controlled by a smoke detection
1. Purpose system. It can also be opened or closed from a
remote fire command station, if required.
This publication serves as a guide to understanding
the various types and special nature of fire, ceiling Combination fire/smoke damper: A device that
(radiation), smoke, and fire/smoke damper products functions as both a fire damper and a smoke damper.
so that they may be properly selected, applied,
installed, inspected, and maintained. The information Ceiling (radiation) damper: A device installed in a
provided herein includes not only general ceiling membrane of a fire resistance rated
information, but also, important points to consider floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assembly to automatically
when designing an installation or when specifications close to limit the radiative heat transfer through an
are written for the purpose of such equipment. It is HVAC penetration.
not the purpose of this manual to be used for detailed
equipment specifications. Corridor damper: A device that is a combination
fire/smoke damper which is evaluated for mounting
2. Scope in specific corridor ceiling constructions specified in
the manufacturer’s installation instructions. It has
This publication covers damper products tested and been evaluated for both a fire resistance rating of 1
rated per the requirements of AMCA International, hour and a Class I or II leakage rating. Corridor
Underwriters Laboratories, and other independent dampers are intended for use where air ducts
testing laboratories. The installation and application penetrate or terminate at horizontal openings in the
of these products, specifically fire dampers, smoke ceiling of interior corridors.
dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers, and
ceiling radiation dampers, are presented as standard Smoke control systems. A smoke-control system is
industry tested practices in generic form. There are a series of fans, dampers, and controls used to inhibit
other listed designs and installations that exist (refer the flow of smoke into means of egress, exit
to manufacturers’ installation instructions for specific passageways, stairwells, areas of refuge, or other
details). General details are given as to the similar areas of a building. Smoke control systems
responsibilities of the governing bodies with regard to are normally activated during the early stages of a
the testing, application, installation, maintainance, fire emergency to maintain a safe environment in the
and inspection of these products. A brief overview of areas to be protected.
the label information on the products is also covered.
4. Codes and Authorities
3. Definitions
4.1 Code authorities
Specific damper designs are used when it is
necessary to control the spread of fire, heat or smoke Local code authorities usually determine the
in an air handling system. requirements for fire, smoke, and heat radiation
resistive construction. They generally use local
Fire damper: A device installed in ducts and air codes, which are written and published by local
transfer openings of an air distribution or smoke building officials and are usually variations to one or
control system, designed to close automatically upon more of the model codes listed in Table 4.1.
detection of heat. It also serves to interrupt migratory
airflow, resist the passage of flame, and maintain the Some governmental agencies also have specific
integrity of the fire rated separation. Fire dampers are standards or codes that must be met when
classified for use in either a static system, which performing construction for these groups. The
automatically shuts down in the event of a fire, or in General Services Administration (GSA), the
a dynamic system, which continues to operate during Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
a fire. A dynamic fire damper is tested and rated for Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Corps