What is the primary function of a smoke damper?

What is the primary function of a smoke damper?

• A. To regulate temperature
• B. To prevent smoke spread
• C. To facilitate airflow
• D. To act as a fire barrier

Answer: (B)

The primary function of a smoke damper is to prevent the spread of smoke within a building's ventilation system during a fire event. Smoke dampers are designed to close automatically when smoke is detected, effectively compartmentalizing smoke and preventing it from traveling through the HVAC ductwork. This is critical for maintaining safe egress routes and protecting occupants in different areas of the building from smoke inhalation and the hazards associated with smoke spread. By preventing smoke migration, smoke dampers help ensure that smoke does not compromise the integrity of escape routes or the operation of smoke control systems. While other options relate to the HVAC system's functions, they do not encompass the primary role of a smoke damper, which focuses specifically on smoke control during emergency situations. Temperature regulation is typically achieved through different HVAC components, airflow facilitation deals with the movement of air for comfort, and acting as a fire barrier is more closely associated with fire dampers rather than smoke dampers.

The primary function of a smoke damper is to prevent the spread of smoke within a building's ventilation system during a fire event. Smoke dampers are designed to close automatically when smoke is detected, effectively compartmentalizing smoke and preventing it from traveling through the HVAC ductwork. This is critical for maintaining safe egress routes and protecting occupants in different areas of the building from smoke inhalation and the hazards associated with smoke spread. By preventing smoke migration, smoke dampers help ensure that smoke does not compromise the integrity of escape routes or the operation of smoke control systems.

While other options relate to the HVAC system's functions, they do not encompass the primary role of a smoke damper, which focuses specifically on smoke control during emergency situations. Temperature regulation is typically achieved through different HVAC components, airflow facilitation deals with the movement of air for comfort, and acting as a fire barrier is more closely associated with fire dampers rather than smoke dampers.