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Energy performance of ventilation systems:
how fire dampers can become a key differentiating element 

 

  Sustainability, ecological footprint, durability: providing customers with solutions that boost their energy performance is becoming a “must” in most markets. The building sector is a field where energy-savings at global level can potentially be huge. In that context, we invite you to position the Rf-Technologies fire dampers as key differentiators in the overall ventilation solution. In this article, you will learn how the Rf-Technologies fire dampers guarantee a maximum air-tightness and a minimal pressure drop and thus positively impact the energy savings for ventilation systems.


A chain is just as strong as its weakest link. This well-known statement certainly applies to ventilation systems where the addition of fittings and connections to the ductwork often open the door to leakages and pressure drops in the overall system.


Extremely thin blades for maximised free air passage

 

Pressure drop in ductworks is caused by the simple friction of air against the duct walls and increases with each additional bend, reduction or addition of a fire damper for instance. The presence of the damper blade, fusible link and other elements for mechanical transmission in the damper tunnel offers additional resistance to the passage of air.

The newest range of Rf-t fire dampers offers a fire resistance of up to 120’ with damper blades as thin as 20 mm (circular dampers) or 25 mm (rectangular dampers). The fusible link is parallel to the damper blade and the mechanical transmission is completely outside the tunnel. These features result in one of the most energy efficient fire damper solutions available on the market today.

Our range of dampers has undergone strict tests in terms of acoustic and aeraulic qualities. These characteristics have been summarised by our R&D team and are available at a click for our partners and customers in the partner zone of our website :

  • You can find the relevant technical data for each of our fire dampers in PDF format
  • The Rf-Select tool further supports our customers by providing an easy calculation tool based on air flow or air speed in the duct or in the damper

    Should you not yet have a login for the partner zone, don’t hesitate to send us an email at partner@rft.be



    European standards for air-tightness

     

      Air-tightness of HVAC ductworks and components is described in European standards. Standard EN 1751 defines requirements and tests for components such as fire dampers. The standard defines various ‘classes’ according to the importance of the leakage. In order to reach a superior class, a ventilation system must perform 3 times better: leakage in a Class C system is 3 times lower than in a Class B system. 


    Thanks to a multi-faceted program, we optimized the production process of our fire dampers to meet the strictest requirements in the market:

  • Product optimization: for example addition of rubber sealing joints
  • Testing environment: additional investments in ultrasensitive, calibrated facilities
  • Production process: random testing of individual dampers in production

     As a consequence, our products have been granted an official certificate issued by SP, a prominent Swedish laboratory in the field of air-tightness testing and certification. The certificate vouches for the air-tight quality of our products.

    Today, all Rf-t fire dampers have at least air-tightness Class B. For customers requesting Class C air-tightness, production testing is performed on each individual damper and the test report is attached to the damper as a proof of the higher air-tightness level.

    Rf-t fire dampers main range overview 

     

     

    Air-tight EN1751

    dimensions

    Light weight

    Blade thickness

    Circular

    CR60

    Min. B, guaranteed C on request

    Ø100..315

    þ

    20 mm

    CR120

    Min. B, guaranteed C on request

    Ø 100..315

    þ

    20 mm

    CR2

    B

    Ø 200..315

     

     

    Min. B, guaranteed C on request

    Ø 355..630

     

     

    Rectangular

    CU-LT

    Min. B, guaranteed C on request

    L 200..800

    H 100..600

    þ

    25 mm

    CU-LT-1S

    Min. B, guaranteed C on request

    L 200..800

    H 100..600

    þ

    25 mm

    CU2

    B

    L 200..1500

    H 200..1000

     

     

    Min. B, guaranteed C on request

    > 800x600 mm

     

     

     

    Class C air-tightness: proven ROI in black and white

      

    A recently published study by the Belgian engineering office Ingenium uncovers the return of investment in class C air-tight ventilation systems. The study comprises a detailed feasibility study “air-tightness spreadsheet” which compares the energy cost savings with the additional investment cost.

    The calculation method has been applied to three Belgian cases: the renovation of a hospital wing, a nursing home and an office building. The simulations show that the total energy consumption linked to ventilation can be reduced by as much as 30% with a break-even-point between 2 and 3 years.

     

     

    More information

     

  • Download our leaflet on air-tightness
  • Request a copy of the study on Air-Tightness