January 6, 2003—Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) reminds property owners whose buildings are equipped with fire, smoke and combination fire/smoke dampers to periodically test these dampers to determine whether they are working as intended.
On October 2, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled 560,000 actuators used in fire/smoke dampers. Actuators hold open fire and smoke dampers in a building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Like any other mechanical device, dampers may require periodic maintenance to help ensure continued operation. There is also the potential for these dampers to be inadvertently disconnected from their power source or otherwise rendered inoperable. Since dampers are typically located where they are not directly visible, it may not be apparent when they are in need of service.
UL recommends that building owners and managers whose buildings are equipped with fire, smoke and combination fire/smoke dampers regularly perform tests on these products to determine their ability to operate in the event of a fire. These tests should be conducted in accordance with the recommendations provided by the damper manufacturer and the applicable requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard for the Installation of Air-conditioning and Ventilating Systems, NFPA 90A and the Recommended Practice for Smoke Control Systems, NFPA 92A.
Inquiries concerning dampers and their actuators should be directed to Mr. Daniel Kaiser at Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), 333 Pfingsten Rd., Northbrook, Ill., 60062; phone: 847/664-2074.
For more information on the recall, contact CPSC.
