Fire rated door vent? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

slowsol · 05-29-2009, 09:10 AM

Do they make a door vent that you can retro-fit into a solid core fire rated door that uses a fusable link or something to maintain the fire rating in the door? We have a mechanical room that needs additional venting and I thought this might be a solution.

Anti-wingnut · 05-29-2009, 11:31 AM

By the tone of your question, you seem to realize that a variety of smoke and heat dampers are available. Some require electrical wiring controlled by an alarm system, and some use a heat activated mechanism only. What is required in your area is impossible to guess at, but comes down to your local AHJ and whether the building is alarmed.

I would think that a better alternative would be to put a vent in a wall near the door, and not in the door. This is because fire-rated doors are an UL assembly, and adding to these doors can really befuddle code interpretations

slowsol · 05-30-2009, 01:23 PM

Ok. So, I guess my question is: Does anyone know anywhere online where I can look at such vents with fusable links?

Anti-wingnut · 05-30-2009, 01:52 PM

Here is a link to Shoemakers site,
http://www.shoemakermfg.net/?page_id=61&cat_id=47

There are several manufactures who make what you need. Depending on your application, here are some pointers.

1) A building with a alarm system will generally require a damper wired all the way to the FACP.

2) Some dampers require a specialized framing detail. But they can generally be fitted into a wall somehow. But you may have to install studs top to bottom on either side of the dampers

3) Your HVAC guy is normally the person knowing the most about these dampers, especially if they have commercial and multi-family experience.

4) If you do need to wire it in, you are probably going to need both a sparky and a LV guy involved. I hope your FAC panel has enough poop.

The first time I installed one of these, it was a minor epic. Now I have done so many, I have the paperwork and details wired, it is almost moot

BKFranks · 05-30-2009, 03:41 PM

National Guard Products http://www.ngpinc.com/products.cfm?f...at1&category=4

Anti-wingnut · 05-30-2009, 04:39 PM

Excellent sleuthing BF. I wasn't aware of those. Looks like all the UL paperwork is fine. I would suggest that the OP use what you have suggested, it is much easier than anything I know of

Anti-wingnut · 05-30-2009, 04:47 PM

I googled door louver+fire+UL rated, and got ton of good hits

PGD · 05-31-2009, 02:14 AM

Here ya go mate, ready to ship anywhere!

http://www.anemostat.com/DoorProduct...s_index_fs.htm

slowsol · 05-31-2009, 09:51 AM

Thanks guys!

Anti-wingnut · 05-31-2009, 11:31 AM

It is a mechanical room, and not an elevator machine room, right?