What common feature should smoke dampers have to prevent airflow?

What common feature should smoke dampers have to prevent airflow?

• A. A tight seal when closed
• B. Filters to cleanse the air
• C. Open design for easy maintenance
• D. Adjustable openings for airflow

Answer: (A)

A smoke damper's primary function is to restrict the passage of smoke through the HVAC system, especially in the event of a fire. To effectively fulfill this role, it must have a tight seal when closed. This feature ensures that smoke does not escape through the damper and infiltrate other areas of a building, which can pose significant risks to occupants and hinder evacuation efforts. The tight seal helps maintain the intended smoke compartmentalization and enhances the overall effectiveness of the smoke control system. While filters, open designs, and adjustable openings may have their benefits in different contexts, they do not directly contribute to the primary purpose of a smoke damper, which is to prevent smoke spread by providing a secure barrier when closed. Therefore, the ability to form a tight seal is essential for the damper's effectiveness in controlling smoke during a fire emergency.

A smoke damper's primary function is to restrict the passage of smoke through the HVAC system, especially in the event of a fire. To effectively fulfill this role, it must have a tight seal when closed. This feature ensures that smoke does not escape through the damper and infiltrate other areas of a building, which can pose significant risks to occupants and hinder evacuation efforts. The tight seal helps maintain the intended smoke compartmentalization and enhances the overall effectiveness of the smoke control system.

While filters, open designs, and adjustable openings may have their benefits in different contexts, they do not directly contribute to the primary purpose of a smoke damper, which is to prevent smoke spread by providing a secure barrier when closed. Therefore, the ability to form a tight seal is essential for the damper's effectiveness in controlling smoke during a fire emergency.