Which device is used to activate a fire damper when heat is detected?

Which device is used to activate a fire damper when heat is detected?

• A. Manual switch
• B. Smoke detector
• C. Fusible links
• D. Solenoid valve

Answer: (C)

When heat is detected, the damper is designed to close automatically using a heat-sensitive mechanism. Fusible links are metal pieces that melt at a specific high temperature. They hold the damper in the open position under normal conditions, and once the heat from a fire causes the link to fuse, the mechanism releases and the damper blades close. This creates a barrier in the ductwork to limit the spread of flames and smoke. Manual switches require someone to act, so they don’t respond automatically to heat. Smoke detectors point to alarms or suppression systems rather than directly moving a damper. A solenoid valve is used for controlling fluids, not for fire dampers in HVAC ducts. Hence, fusible links are the device that activates a fire damper in response to heat.

When heat is detected, the damper is designed to close automatically using a heat-sensitive mechanism. Fusible links are metal pieces that melt at a specific high temperature. They hold the damper in the open position under normal conditions, and once the heat from a fire causes the link to fuse, the mechanism releases and the damper blades close. This creates a barrier in the ductwork to limit the spread of flames and smoke.

Manual switches require someone to act, so they don’t respond automatically to heat. Smoke detectors point to alarms or suppression systems rather than directly moving a damper. A solenoid valve is used for controlling fluids, not for fire dampers in HVAC ducts. Hence, fusible links are the device that activates a fire damper in response to heat.