UL555s: Leakage Rated Damper For Use In Smoke Control Systems

Currently UL555s is the only safety test standard for smoke control damper. Under this
test standard smoke damper is required go through a series of tests mainly to determine
the dampers ability to limit the flow of air or smoke through it and also its ability to cycle
during and after exposure to elevated temperature. Actuator should be considered as
an integral part of smoke damper and should not be tested separately as such test fail
to take into account damper torque which may be significantly higher due to thermal ex-
pansion during the temperature degradation cycling test. Actuator must be supplied by
the damper manufacturer and factory-installed.

Smoke dampers are subject to the following tests:

1. Cycling test
2. Temperature degradation/cycling test
3. Operation test
4. Air leakage test

Tests are carried out in according to the sequence as shown above on the same smoke
damper.

Cycling Test
The cycling test pre-conditions the smoke damper to become a used damper before
other tests are carried out on the damper. A smoke damper shall continue to function as
intended after being mechanically operated for 5000 full-stroke (that is close and re-
open) in operations, while using the recommended actuator.

Temperature Degradation/Cycling Test

The smoke damper (including its actuator) shall be subject this test before air leakage
test. The smoke damper is position in an oven during the temperature degradation cy-
cling test. The time required to build the oven temperature from ambient to the rated
temperature is not counted towards the rating of the damper. After the required time at
constant temperature, the smoke damper is subject 3 cycles with its actuator. During
cycling at the rated temperature, the smoke damper must open and closed fully. If end
switches are used they shall tested for continuity. Hence, if a smoke damper is rated for
250oC for 2 hours, it shall be subject to a constant temperature of 250oC for 2 hours. At
the end of 2 hours, while still at 250oC the smoke damper shall be cycle 3 times.

Leakage Test
The smoke damper is subject to the leakage test at ambient temperature. The amount
of leakage measured during this test shall determine the leakage class of the smoke
damper, in accordance to the criteria set out in table below. This test is bi-directional in
that the smoke damper is tested with air flow from both directions. The smoke damper
used for this test is to be the one previously subject to the Cycling Test and Tempera-
ture Degradation/Cycling Test. The smoke damper is cycled 3 times before leakage
measurements are taken.
Leakage Classifications

Pressure Differential (Pa)

Classification 250 1000 2000 3000
Maximum Allowable Leakage (m3/min/m2)
0 0 0 0 0
I 1.22 2.44 3.35 4.27
II 3.05 6.1 8.54 10.67
III 12.2 24.39 34.15 42.68
IV 18.3 36.59 51.22 64.02

Operation Test
Following the completion of the leakage test, smoke damper is then subject to an opera-
tion test at ambient temperature to rated pressure and airflow. This test is bi-directional
in that the smoke damper is tested with air flow from both directions. The smoke
damper shall function as intended, and without damage to the dampers or their compo-
nents and shall completely close, during each of three opening and closing cycles. The
test pressures\differential created in the closed position shall be not less than the Leak-
age Classification rating (that is 1000, 2000, or 3000 Pa)