IBC Fire and Smoke Damper Requirements

IBC Fire and Smoke Damper Cheatsheet

11/3/2023

Update: Now includes cheatcheets for the 2021 and 2024 IBC

After way too many hours of work, I'm excited to share this huge fire and smoke damper cheatsheet that goes through EVERY instance where the 2018 IBC requires a fire and smoke damper due to a wall/floor/ceiling penetration.

11 Comments

Jaber

2/26/2021 09:21:31 pm

Hi Chris,

Thanks a lot. Have a nice weekend to you too.

Jaber

MckinneyRee link

10/13/2021 11:57:51 pm

What an exquisite article! Your post is very helpful right now. Thank you for sharing this informative one.
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William

3/2/2022 02:16:01 pm

Is there a similar cheat sheet for IEBC? In specific for 802.2.1.

Harry Shanley

3/10/2022 04:50:41 pm

This is great but there is one miss that I found - the case where a smoke damper is required for penetrations of smoke partitions - the code only requires dampers on transfer openings not on ducts.

Jr D link

7/17/2022 11:58:36 am

This is a very informative—edifying article to all. Thanks a lot! Continue to post!
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Jen

12/19/2022 03:50:41 pm

Thank you! This is so helpful and cuts out a lot of the confusion.

Dan

4/18/2023 12:36:13 pm

Is there another sheet? What about horizontal assemblies?

Chris Campbell

4/18/2023 01:46:32 pm

Dan - if you enter your email in the form above, you'll get the entire 4 page cheatsheet.

Thanks,

Chris

Randall Jarrell

6/15/2023 06:42:53 pm

Does IBC recognize flex duct as part of a fully ducted HVAC system consisting of not less than No. 26 gage steel and continuous from air handling appliance to air inlet/outlet terminals? I've seen versions of IBC that clarify flex duct is allowed from end of duct to air device located inside the room, but it's difficult to find and without it there are LS consultants that say you need fire dampers in 1 hour fire barriers regardless of size or location. They do not recognize that you can use flex duct with this exception. Anyone run into this?

Aaron McDonald

6/21/2023 02:56:35 pm

First, Nice Job, this will be very helpful, especially to new engineers. There is one more item that get missed often. At the end of Is Duct/Opening a through-penetration of a fire-resistance rated horizontal assembly - Is the duct constructed of approved materials in accordance with the IMC and penetrate a horizontal assembly connecting two stories or less? [yes] fire damper required. But there is cases where a fire damper is not acceptable and I have seen this turn into a change order many times. 607.6.1 fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling assembly that connects not more than two stories is permitted without shaft enclosure protection provided that a listed fire damper is installed at the floor line. There is no listed fire damper that can be installed in a wood floor assembly. Therefore, in a wood structure you would still need a shaft.

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12/20/2023 09:37:24 am

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The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, including the author's employer and the International Code Council, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Local codes and amendments may vary from the code requirements described herein. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component of public health, safety and welfare and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code compliance.

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