Rated Damper Installation & Inspection Services
Protecting Your Commercial Building With Fire & Smoke Control
When it comes to commercial HVAC systems, safety isn’t just a feature—it’s a necessity. Rated dampers play a crucial role in preventing the spread of fire and smoke, helping businesses comply with safety codes while protecting lives and property.
At Schebler Heating and Air, we specialize in the installation, inspection, and maintenance of rated dampers for commercial buildings across the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Whether you need a new system installed or want to ensure your existing dampers meet UL and NFPA fire protection standards, we’re the trusted team for the job.
What Are Rated Dampers?
Rated dampers are essential safety components within a commercial building’s HVAC system, designed to prevent fire and smoke from spreading through ventilation ducts. Installed where ductwork passes through fire-rated walls, floors, or partitions, these dampers automatically close when triggered by heat or smoke, helping to contain hazards and protect occupants.
Building codes and fire safety regulations require rated dampers in commercial buildings to maintain structural integrity and fire resistance. These dampers undergo rigorous testing to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
To remain compliant and effective, dampers must be installed by certified professionals and inspected regularly. Over time, dust, debris, or mechanical failures can prevent them from functioning properly. Fire codes typically require inspections every four years in commercial buildings and every six years in hospitals to ensure continued reliability.
Rated dampers are an important part of a comprehensive fire and life safety strategy, working alongside fire barriers, sprinkler systems, and emergency response plans. That’s why regular maintenance and testing is critical for businesses looking to meet fire safety standards while ensuring a safer environment for employees, customers, and tenants.
Types of Rated Dampers We Install & Inspect
At Schebler Heating and Air, we provide installation, inspection, and maintenance services for all major types of rated dampers. With the right dampers in place and in good working condition, your business can comply with fire codes while protecting occupants and property.
Fire Dampers
Fire dampers are designed to automatically close when high temperatures are detected, preventing flames from traveling through ductwork. Installed where air ducts pass through fire-rated walls, floors, and partitions, these dampers are triggered by a fusible link that melts at a specific temperature, causing the damper to seal off airflow and stop fire from spreading.
Smoke Dampers
Smoke dampers prevent the spread of smoke and toxic gasses by closing off ventilation pathways when smoke is detected. These dampers are triggered by a building’s fire alarm or smoke detection system. They are commonly installed in HVAC ducts, stairwells, and other areas where controlling smoke movement is critical to occupant safety.
Combination Fire/Smoke Dampers
Combination fire/smoke dampers provide dual protection by preventing both fire and smoke from spreading. These dampers integrate features of both fire and smoke dampers, making them ideal for hospitals, high-rise buildings, and other critical facilities where fire and smoke control are essential.
Ceiling Radiation Dampers
Ceiling radiation dampers are used in fire-rated ceilings to limit the spread of heat and flames between floors. They are commonly installed in multistory buildings, hotels, and healthcare facilities to maintain the fire resistance rating of ceiling assemblies. Like fire dampers, they close automatically when exposed to high temperatures, helping contain the fire to its point of origin.
Schebler’s Rated Damper Services
At Schebler Heating and Air, we provide comprehensive rated damper services to ensure your building remains compliant with fire safety regulations while protecting occupants and property. From expert installation to thorough inspections and ongoing maintenance, we help businesses safeguard their HVAC systems against fire and smoke hazards. Our team understands the critical role dampers play in fire prevention and works with precision and efficiency to keep them fully operational so your properties stay safe.
Professional Installation
A properly installed damper is the first line of defense in fire and smoke control. Proper installation is essential for code compliance and long-term effectiveness. With Schebler, you can be confident that your dampers are correctly placed, fully functional, and built to last. Our experienced technicians:
- Install dampers in compliance with UL and NFPA standards, ensuring they meet fire-rated building requirements.
- Work closely with contractors, engineers, and property managers to integrate dampers into new construction projects, renovations, and retrofits without disrupting operations.
- Ensure seamless functionality within your existing HVAC system, allowing for efficient airflow while maintaining fire and smoke containment measures.
Inspection and Testing Services
Routine inspections and testing are necessary to keep your fire and smoke dampers compliant with local, state, and national fire codes. Many buildings are required to conduct fire damper inspections every four years (or six years in hospitals).
Over time, dampers can become blocked by debris, suffer mechanical failures, or fail to close properly, putting your building at risk. The Schebler team ensures that your dampers meet all fire safety requirements, avoiding potential fines and ensuring that your property remains protected. Our detailed inspection process includes:
- Comprehensive functional testing to verify that each damper closes fully and operates as intended.
- A full system check for obstructions, corrosion, misalignment, or damage that could prevent proper operation.
- Detailed documentation and reporting to help businesses stay compliant with fire safety inspections and regulatory requirements.
Maintenance and Repairs
Like any mechanical component, dampers require regular maintenance and timely repairs to stay operational. If a damper fails, it could compromise your fire protection system, increasing risks to people and property.
Whether your system needs minor repairs or a full damper replacement, Schebler Heating and Air is committed to keeping your building’s fire protection system in top working condition. Our services include:
- Preventative maintenance programs to keep your dampers operating reliably and extend their lifespan.
- Prompt and efficient repairs to address mechanical failures, actuator issues, or stuck dampers.
- Upgrades and retrofitting to modernize older systems, ensuring they meet current fire safety standards.
Rated Damper Solutions for Commercial Buildings
At Schebler Heating and Air, we provide rated damper installation, inspection, and maintenance for a wide range of commercial properties that require strict fire and smoke safety compliance. Our team understands the unique safety needs of different industries and ensures that each facility we serve meets UL and NFPA standards while maintaining a safe and compliant environment for occupants.
We work with businesses and institutions that need properly functioning dampers to protect lives, limit fire and smoke damage, and adhere to regulatory requirements. Our rated damper services are ideal for:
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals and medical centers face some of the strictest fire safety regulations due to the vulnerability of patients and the complexity of HVAC zoning systems. We serve hospitals and healthcare facilities, providing expert damper installation, regular NFPA-required inspections, and necessary repairs to keep systems functioning properly.
Retirement Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
Retirement homes and long-term care facilities require rigorous fire safety measures to protect elderly residents who may have limited mobility. We work with senior living communities to install, inspect, and maintain rated dampers, ensuring that their HVAC systems support fire-rated construction while maintaining proper airflow for resident comfort. Our regular inspections help facility managers meet fire safety codes and stay prepared for fire marshal evaluations.
Schools and Educational Institutions
Schools, universities, and other educational facilities must have properly functioning fire and smoke dampers to keep students, faculty, and staff safe. With large classrooms, hallways, and shared ventilation systems, a single fire or smoke incident can quickly affect multiple areas of a school.
Our team provides installation, testing, and maintenance services for schools to ensure that dampers effectively compartmentalize fire and smoke, keeping evacuation routes clear and protecting students and staff. We also assist school facility managers in meeting state and local fire code compliance requirements.
Large Commercial Buildings
Office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, and industrial facilities all require well-maintained fire and smoke dampers as part of their fire safety systems. Many of these buildings have extensive HVAC ductwork and multiple fire-rated walls and floors, making regular damper inspections, repairs, and maintenance difficult to accomplish, but no less critical to ensuring safety compliance.
Schebler makes ensuring your rated dampers are up to code, with services for:
- High-rise office buildings that require dampers for stairwells, corridors, and HVAC systems.
- Hotels and apartment complexes where fire and smoke containment is essential for multi-unit safety.
- Manufacturing and industrial facilities that need dampers to control fire risks in large-scale ventilation systems.
Regardless of the size or complexity of your facility, Schebler Heating and Air has the expertise, tools, and experience to keep your fire and smoke dampers operating properly.
Your Trusted Partner for Fire and Smoke Damper Services
For over 100 years, Schebler Heating and Air has been the trusted name in commercial HVAC solutions in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. Our team brings a high level of expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to safety, ensuring that your rated dampers are properly installed, regularly inspected, and well-maintained.
Protect your building and ensure compliance today. Contact Schebler Heating and Air to schedule installation, inspection, or maintenance service for your rated dampers.