Series 280 & 290 Ceiling Radiation Dampers

Air Balance series 280 and 290 ceiling dampers are designed to provide the required fire and heat radiation protection of HVAC penetrations. They protect floor­ceiling and roof­ceiling assemblies having a restrained or unrestrained assembly fire resistance rating of 2 hours or less.

The key difference between ceiling dampers and fire dampers is the ability of ceiling dampers to protect against heat radiation in air handling duct outlets penetrating fire resistive ceiling assemblies. During UL's fire endurance test, both types of dampers are exposed to high temperatures. Throughout the test, fire dampers are observed only for integrity of the exposed surface, whereas ceiling dampers are observed both for the integrity of the exposed surface and for the amount of heat transmitted through the damper.

All UL­rated ceiling assemblies require a ceiling radiation damper, not a horizontal fire damper. A fire damper is a flame barrier. A ceiling radiation damper is a flame and heat barrier.