Inbuild UK is a leading fire and smoke damper supplier, providing certified BSB fire dampers and BSB smoke dampers across the UK. These dampers are critical fire safety ventilation products that help prevent the spread of fire and smoke through a building’s ductwork and ventilation system. In modern building design, fire safety and air management go together. Whether you’re working on a commercial office, healthcare facility, or mixed-use development, specifying the correct type of damper is essential to ensure regulatory compliance, building protection, and occupant safety.
Understanding the difference between fire dampers and smoke dampers is key to choosing the right solution. While they are often mentioned together, fire dampers and smoke control dampers perform distinct but equally vital roles in HVAC and fire protection systems. In simple terms, fire dampers are passive devices that close to block fire and smoke, whereas smoke dampers (or smoke control dampers) are active devices that open or reposition to redirect smoke. Below, we explain each type and how to specify the proper damper for your project.
In simple terms:
· Fire dampers are passive devices that automatically close to block the spread of fire and hot gases.
· Smoke dampers (also known as smoke control dampers) are active devices that open or reposition to manage and redirect smoke movement during a fire.
Below, we explain each type and how to choose the correct damper for your project.
What Are Fire Dampers?
Fire dampers are crucial passive fire protection devices installed in ventilation ducts wherever those ducts pass through fire-rated walls or floors. Their primary function is to automatically close when a rise in temperature is detected, thereby sealing off the duct opening to contain fire and hot smoke within the compartment of origin. By closing off the duct, a fire damper maintains the integrity of the fire-rated barrier (wall, floor, or partition) and prevents flames from passing through the duct to other parts of the building.
Under UK building regulations (Approved Document B), fire dampers are required to carry an ‘E’ fire integrity rating – meaning they can withstand fire for a specified duration without allowing it to spread. Most fire dampers provide at least 60 minutes of fire resistance (E60) or match the fire rating of the surrounding barrier, whichever is higher. In practice, this means a correctly installed fire damper will hold back fire for at least one hour, buying valuable time for occupants to evacuate and for firefighters to respond. All certified fire dampers must be tested to strict standards (such as BS EN 1366-2 fire resistance test) and classified under BS EN 13501-3 for performance, and they are manufactured in accordance with BS EN 15650 (the European product standard for fire dampers). These standards ensure the damper will perform as expected in a fire scenario.
How Fire Dampers Work
During normal HVAC operation, a fire damper’s blades or shutters remain open, allowing air to circulate freely through the ventilation system. When a fire occurs and hot gases or rising temperatures reach the damper, a heat-sensitive activation device automatically triggers it to close.
The most common activation method is a fusible link — a mechanical thermal fuse designed to melt at approximately 72°C (162°F). This link holds the damper blades open under normal conditions. Once it melts due to the heat of a fire, the spring-loaded blades or curtain mechanism are released, causing the damper to shut instantly and seal off the duct opening at the fire barrier.
By closing rapidly, the fire dampers prevents flames and hot smoke from spreading through duct penetrations, maintaining fire compartmentation and protecting adjacent areas of the building. This automatic response is essential for maintaining compliance with UK fire safety regulations and ensuring effective passive fire protection within HVAC systems.
Key features of a standard fire damper typically include:
- A fusible link (thermal release) that melts at a specific temperature (usually around 72°C) to automatically trigger closure.
- Curtain or multi-blade damper design that drops or pivots closed, effectively blocking the duct to contain the fire.
- Construction and installation in a fire-rated sleeve or collar to ensure the assembly achieves the required fire rating.
Fire dampers are generally considered passive fire protection components – they have no moving parts unless a fire occurs. They stay open under normal conditions and require no external power or controls to operate in an emergency (the heat of the fire itself triggers them). Because smoke from a fire is also extremely dangerous, fire dampers do help block smoke spread to some extent simply by closing off the duct. However, they are primarily designed to stop fire and hot gases, and they are not actively controlled during a fire event (they just close and remain closed). This is where smoke dampers come into play, which we’ll discuss shortly.
Motorised Fire Dampers (Combination Fire/Smoke Dampers)
Some fire dampers are designed with electric actuators and smoke detection controls — these are commonly known as motorised fire dampers (MFDs) or combination fire and smoke dampers. A motorised fire damper operates like a standard fire damper but adds an active control system for faster, smarter response during a fire event.
Unlike traditional dampers that rely solely on a fusible link melting at around 72°C (162°F), a motorised fire damper is integrated into the building’s fire alarm or smoke detection system. When a smoke detector or heat sensor triggers an alarm, the actuator receives a signal to close immediately — even before the temperature reaches the fuse-melting point. This early-response action helps prevent smoke from spreading through ductwork in the initial moments of a fire, providing enhanced life safety protection.
Motorised fire dampers are fail-safe devices: their actuators are spring-loaded to automatically drive the blades shut if power is lost or when a fire signal is received. They also include a backup thermal probe that triggers closure at approximately 72°C, ensuring the damper still performs if the smoke detection signal fails.
Thanks to this dual function, motorised fire dampers provide both fire containment and smoke leakage control, achieving an ‘ES’ classification (Integrity + Smoke rating). For example, an ES 60 damper can hold back both fire and smoke for at least 60 minutes.
These combination fire/smoke dampers are tested to BS EN 1366-2 for fire resistance, must comply with the product standard BS EN 15650, and are classified per BS EN 13501-3 for their ES performance rating.
In summary, fire dampers — whether mechanical or motorised — automatically seal duct openings through fire-rated barriers when a fire is detected, helping to contain flames and smoke within the origin compartment. This crucial safety function protects escape routes, maintains building compartmentation, and supports regulatory compliance in UK construction.
Next, we’ll explore smoke dampers — devices that perform a complementary but distinct role in fire and smoke control systems.
What Are Smoke Dampers (Smoke Control Dampers)?
Smoke dampers — also known as smoke control dampers — are active ventilation devices designed to limit, control, or redirect the movement of smoke during the early stages of a fire.
Unlike fire dampers, which close automatically when exposed to heat, smoke dampers form part of an engineered smoke control or smoke extraction system. They work within a coordinated fire strategy to manage smoke movement throughout the building’s HVAC network.
During a fire event, specific smoke dampers will automatically open to extract smoke from the affected area, while others remain closed to stop smoke spreading into protected zones. This controlled operation helps maintain clearer escape routes, protects occupants, and reduces smoke damage to property and equipment.
How Smoke Control Dampers Work:
Think of a smoke damper as a smoke gate. Under normal conditions, it remains closed, preserving the compartmentation of the building’s duct network. In a fire, the damper opens on command to vent smoke from a designated area, usually triggered by the building’s fire alarm or smoke detection system.
For example, in a multi-storey building with a smoke extraction shaft, each floor may have a motorised smoke damper that opens only on the fire floor when smoke is detected. This allows smoke to be drawn directly into the shaft and expelled, while dampers on all other floors stay closed — effectively containing smoke to its source zone.
This targeted smoke extraction keeps other areas smoke-free and safe for evacuation and firefighter access, ensuring compliance with UK fire safety and smoke control standards.
By actively controlling smoke movement, these dampers complement the passive containment role of fire dampers, creating a complete, compliant fire and smoke ventilation solution.
Key characteristics of smoke control dampers:
- They are motorised dampers with powered actuators (often called “motor-open, motor-closed” actuators) that can open or close the damper as needed. They respond to signals from smoke detectors or the fire alarm system rather than just heat alone.
- They require a protected power supply or backup power, so that the actuator can operate during a fire even if the main power is disrupted. (This ensures the damper will open/close at the critical moment.)
- Smoke control dampers are active fire protection devices that both resist fire and manage smoke movement during a fire emergency. When closed, they still act as a fire barrier, tested to BS EN 1366-10 and classified under BS EN 13501-4. They must also comply with the product standard BS EN 12101-8 for smoke control systems, ensuring performance for integrity (E), insulation (I), and smoke leakage (S) at high temperatures.
- Because they operate dynamically during a fire, smoke dampers are classed as active smoke control components. They form part of an engineered smoke control strategy, typically used in stairwells, corridors, atriums, and large open spaces where smoke must be vented or extracted to keep escape routes clear and air breathable.
Smoke control dampers work alongside fans and detection systems: when a fire is detected, specific dampers open to exhaust smoke while others remain closed. This targeted smoke extraction reduces smoke spread, maintains visibility, and improves evacuation safety — critical since smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire-related deaths.
It’s important to note that fire dampers and smoke control dampers are not interchangeable. Many modern buildings use both:
· Fire dampers for compartment fire protection.
· Smoke control dampers for smoke extraction and management.
Some advanced combination dampers (such as BSB’s FSD series) can perform both roles, acting as a fire barrier and smoke vent depending on the scenario. The correct specification depends on the building’s fire safety design and ventilation strategy.
Choosing the Right Damper for Your Project
Selecting between fire dampers and smoke dampers (or deciding where to use each) comes down to your building’s fire strategy and ventilation design. Here are a few key considerations for specifiers, contractors, and building managers when choosing the right damper:
- Building Fire Strategy: Determine if the design includes an active smoke control system. If your building has smoke extract shafts, stairwell pressurization, or any engineered smoke ventilation, you will need smoke control dampers as part of that system.
- For example, high-rise residential buildings, shopping centres, hospitals, and large complex buildings often require smoke control measures in addition to passive fire containment. On the other hand, if the building’s strategy is mainly to compartmentalize and contain fire until it burns out or is extinguished, standard fire dampers might suffice at duct penetrations of fire-rated walls/floors. Many projects will have both: use fire dampers wherever ducts penetrate fire compartments, and use smoke dampers in areas where smoke venting is needed (like atriums or lobbies).
- HVAC System Design: Evaluate the mechanical ventilation setup. Fire dampers are generally mandatory in ductwork that crosses a fire compartment boundary (required by building regulations) to maintain that barrier. Smoke dampers are installed in specific duct sections that are part of a smoke extraction or air release path. If a duct is meant to carry smoke out of the building during a fire (for instance, an exhaust duct from a smoke control fan or an opening into a smoke shaft), a smoke control damper is appropriate. For typical heating and cooling ducts, fire dampers are appropriate to simply shut in a fire. Knowing the role of each duct in your HVAC and fire plan will guide the damper selection.
- Compliance and Standards: Always check the relevant fire safety regulations and standards. UK building regulations (e.g., Approved Document B) and industry standards (like BS 9999 or BS 9991 fire safety codes) will indicate where dampers are needed and how they should perform. Ensure the dampers you choose are properly certified for your application.
- For instance, a damper used in a smoke control system must have a CE or UKCA mark to BS EN 12101-8, indicating it passed the rigorous smoke control damper tests. A damper used purely for fire compartmentation should be CE/UKCA marked to BS EN 15650 (fire damper product standard). Inbuild UK supplies BSB dampers that meet all these standards, so you can be confident in their compliance and performance. It’s crucial not to use non-certified products, as they may fail to operate correctly in a fire.
- Installation and Operation Considerations: Fire dampers and smoke dampers have different installation and power needs. Fire dampers (especially mechanical types) are often installed with a factory sleeve and can be fit into walls or floors with fire stopping. They need access for periodic testing (to check that the fuse and closure work). Smoke dampers, being motorised, require power and integration with the fire alarm or a control panel.
- They also typically need an actuator that is accessible for maintenance and a method for regular testing (often via the building management system or a test switch). Be sure to account for these needs in your design. Inbuild can provide guidance on the proper installation details for the BSB dampers we supply, ensuring they will operate correctly when needed.
Choosing the right damper can be complex, especially in large projects with many compartments and an active smoke control system. Inbuild UK’s team is here to help – we work closely with BSB Engineering to ensure you select the correct damper for each location and use case. If you’re not sure which fire or smoke damper type your project needs, you can reach out to us for advice. We can review factors like the building layout, usage, fire strategy, and relevant regulations to recommend an appropriate solution. Our goal is to provide a solutions-focused approach, so you get a fully compliant and effective fire safety system.
Inbuild UK – Your Fire and Smoke Damper Supplier and Partner
At Inbuild UK, we don’t just supply products – we deliver solutions. We are proud to supply certified BSB fire dampers and smoke dampers as part of our commitment to improving building safety. BSB Engineering Services is a renowned manufacturer known for high-quality dampers that are rigorously tested and approved, and we make these available to you with the convenience of a one-stop supplier. By sourcing through Inbuild, you get the benefit of BSB’s engineering excellence combined with our dedicated customer support.
FAQ
Why choose Inbuild UK for your fire and smoke damper needs?
At Inbuild UK, we specialise in supplying certified BSB fire and smoke dampers across the UK. All products are third-party tested and fully compliant with UK and European standards, including BS EN 13501-3 for fire dampers and BS EN 13501-4 for smoke control dampers.
Every damper is manufactured to exacting quality standards, carrying the correct CE and UKCA markings. With our certification and documentation, you can be confident your installation meets regulatory requirements and will perform reliably in an emergency.
Do your fire and smoke dampers come with certification and documentation?
Yes — every BSB damper from Inbuild UK includes comprehensive technical documentation. This covers product data sheets, installation manuals, BIM models, and Declaration of Performance (DoP) certificates.
These resources simplify installation, integration, and compliance checks. With verified performance data and clear guidance, contractors can install efficiently, and building owners can demonstrate fire safety compliance.
How can Inbuild UK help me choose the right fire or smoke damper?
Our experienced team provides expert technical support from product selection to installation. We help you choose the right damper type and model based on your building’s design, fire strategy, and system integration requirements.
We also offer guidance on damper placement, interfacing with fire alarm systems, and compliance with UK building regulations. If your project involves complex smoke control systems or unique design constraints, we can consult directly with BSB’s technical experts to ensure you receive the most suitable solution.
What types of damper products does Inbuild UK offer?
Inbuild UK supplies a complete range of BSB fire and smoke dampers, including:
· Mechanical fire dampers (such as the FD Series)
· Motorised fire and smoke dampers (like the FSD Series)
· Dedicated smoke control dampers for engineered ventilation systems
Our online catalogue allows you to easily filter products by size, fire rating, or feature. Whether your project requires a standard installation or a custom-engineered fire safety solution, we have the right product to match your needs.
Why partner with Inbuild UK for your fire safety ventilation systems?
At Inbuild UK, we share your commitment to life safety and building protection. We don’t just supply products — we provide end-to-end support, from specification through to after-sales assistance.
By choosing our certified BSB dampers, you’ll ensure your building is safer, compliant, and ready for inspection. Our goal is to make the process of enhancing your fire safety ventilation system straightforward, efficient, and compliant with UK regulations.
How many damper products do you offer?
Broad Product Range: Inbuild UK carries a full range of BSB dampers, from standard mechanical fire dampers to advanced combination fire/smoke dampers and dedicated smoke control dampers. This means you can outfit your entire project with the appropriate products all from one supplier. Our online catalog makes it easy to filter and find the right damper by size, rating, or feature. (For instance, BSB’s FD series covers curtain fire dampers, FSD series covers motorized fire & smoke dampers, etc.) If you have any special requirements, we can help identify the correct model to meet those needs.
Most importantly, Inbuild UK shares your commitment to life safety and building protection. Our company’s voice is expert, supportive, and focused on solutions – we aim to make the process of enhancing your fire safety straightforward and effective. When you work with us, you’re not just buying a product; you’re gaining a partner in fire safety. We strive to ensure that from product selection to after-sales support, you have a smooth experience and end up with a safer building.
Ready to enhance your building’s fire protection? Explore our range of certified BSB fire dampers and smoke dampers available through Inbuild UK. We invite you to browse the BSB Fire & Smoke Damper collection on our website – here you’ll find detailed product information and options to purchase these lifesaving devices. If you have questions or need a quote for a larger order, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
Protect your project with the right fire safety ventilation products today. By choosing the proper fire and smoke dampers from Inbuild UK, you’ll ensure your building is safer, compliant with regulations, and well-prepared to face emergency situations. Let us help you create a safer environment with our expert knowledge and quality products. Get in touch with Inbuild UK or explore the BSB damper range now to find the optimal solution for your fire safety needs.
