Duct dampers are often used in ducting systems as they play an important function of the proper flow of air. They are movable plates that are inserted into the ductwork. Dampers help control airflow and redirect. In order to get the most out of them, you must ensure that dampers are correctly installed.
If you want to know how to install a damper in a flex duct or how to install dampers, we’ll go over some of the most popular types of dampers and show you how to install them.
How to install blast gate damper
A blast gate damper is a duct damper valve or a gate valve. They’re mostly used in dust extraction systems that collect plastic, wood, powder, and other dust. They’re specifically designed to offer simplicity and robustness. Their main role is to allow a damper blade to slide inside of the ducting to restrict airflow and then lock into position by an integral thumb-operated duct screw.
So let’s answer the common question of how to install a damper in ductwork when working with the blast gate damper. You can watch our how to video here.
The first step is to decide where we want the blast gate damper to be positioned:
- Disassemble your blast gate damper by removing the bolts on either side.
- Using the top section of the blast gate damper as a guide, make a mark where you are going to cut into the spiral with your marker pen. This should be slightly over half way around the duct.
- Wearing Personal Protective Equipment, using the mark made in the previous step, cut out a slot for the blade of the blast gate damper. Your slot should be around 10mm wide to allow the blade to easily slide in and out. As mentioned above, the slot should be slightly over half way around the duct.
- Re-assemble your blast gate around the spiral ducting with the blade going through the slot just created.
- Put the bolts back into each side of the blast gate damper and tighten. Your blast gate damper is now installed ready to be used. The blade can be fully pushed in to stop airflow through the duct or pulled out to allow the air to flow through.
You can see our video on blast gate dampers below:
Installing a blast gate damper on to our Express duct (Clipped ducting)
A simpler option to install a blast gate damper into spiral ducting would be to oue one of our pre made blast gate damper slots
https://www.ducting-express.co.uk/category/ducting-fittings/blast-gate-damper-spiral-flex-adapter/
How to install a fire damper
The main purpose of fire dampers is to protect premises & personnel by preventing a fire from spreading through ductwork.. Fire dampers are most often used in air transfer openings, ducts, and other areas where structures like walls, floors, and fire barriers are penetrated. Leaving these zones unguarded and unshielded allowing the fire to spread
So the big question is how to install a fire damper in the ductwork.
Fire damper installation takes place in ducts passing through or air outlet openings that end at shaft walls, fire barriers, and others. They must be installed according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. You’ll also need to make sure you have access to fire and smoke dampers for tests and maintenance. There must be designated access points. In cases of limited space for regular inspection, you may need a single- or multi-blade-type damper. After the installation of the fire damper, you’ll need to run an operational test to guarantee that the installation has been correct and successful. All fire dampers must be tested – inspected & certified by a qualified person.
How to install an iris damper
Another popular ductwork damper type is the iris damper. So what is an iris damper? An iris damper serves the role of a balancing damper that’s used to regulate airflow in circular ductwork. Its name “iris” comes from the unique mechanism of regulation plates, which functions similarly to camera lens shutters by reducing the dimensions of the damper orifice. They’re a popular choice due to the number of advantages that they offer. They guarantee reduced noise in the ducts, they’re very simple to install, and adjustments don’t require any special tools and know-how.
Iris dampers are also a way to ensure precise airflow measurement and single station measurement. They’re very easy to clean and maintain as they’re fully openable. In addition, their diameters come in a range of sizes.
For the duct damper installation of the iris damper, you’ll need to follow a few easy steps. It’s recommended to install the dampers in straight runs of ductwork, ensuring precise spacing. The spacing should never be less than:
- 4 × duct diameter before the damper
- 1 × duct diameter after the damper
This will guarantee exact measurement and easy management of the airflow.
How to install a pneumatic blast gate damper
Pneumatic blast gate dampers function automatically. The compressed airflow is managed by electric solenoids that open or close pneumatic cylinders. Or by a manual lever control The gates are designed to open once dust extraction is necessary or whenever the machine is active. This leads to reductions in energy use for the process. Pneumatic dampers are ideal for equipment that is created to shut off often. As a result, you won’t have to manually open and close the gates prior to every operation.
Pneumatic blast gate dampers can be connected to a PLC pressure sensor or a variable frequency drive to provide extra control over the air system. For the installation process, you’ll need to prepare the following:
- Blast gate damper
- Spiral ducting (this may already be installed to your extraction system)
- Angle grinder
- Tools
- Marker pen
- Duct sealant
- Safety glasses
- Safety gloves
- Hearing protection
Disassemble the blast gate damper by taking off the bolts on both sides and make a mark of where you want to cut the spiral using a marker pen. It’s best to cut halfway around the duct.
Use the mark you’ve made and cut out an area for the damper. The area or slot that you’ve cut should be around 10mm wide to ensure that the blade can freely slide in and out. Reassemble the blast gate, making sure that the blade goes through the slot you’ve created. Reattach the bolts on each side and tighten them for security.
How to install a single blade damper
Another type of duct damper, the single blade damper is mostly used to balance airflow in round ductwork. Let’s take a look at how to install a single blade damper into a round ductwork:
Installing single blade dampers is a simple process as the have a small end (Male) on both ends and will simply fit between 2 pieces of spiral ducting
How to install volume control damper
Last on our list is the duct volume damper or volume control damper.This is used to manage airflow in a duct. It can be produced using galvanized steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. It successfully adapts the airflow volume to the remaining parts of the duct system. The volume control damper can be either fixed within the duct itself or can be automatic or manual.
The volume control dampers are generally installed in branches of the air distribution duct. And like the single blade dampers will fit between two pieces of spiral ducting
Volume control dampers will give a better seal to restrict airflow than a single blade damper
There are many different types of dampers and so their installation will vary. Each manufacturer will provide installation instructions.
We hope this article will help you get started.
Further Information
If you have any questions about dampers give Ducting Express a call at 01455 616 444. We manufacture & sell a variety of dampers for ducting systems. A member of our experienced team can provide you with further information suited to your workshop’s requirements.