Fusible links for fire dampers shall have a temperature classification not less than _______ degrees F.

Fusible links for fire dampers shall have a temperature classification not less than _______ degrees F.

• A. 160
• B. 150
• C. 212
• D. 350

Answer: (A)

Fusible links are heat-sensitive devices attached to fire dampers that melt at a designated temperature to release the damper and interrupt the spread of fire through ductwork. The classification must be high enough to avoid nuisance operation from normal ambient or equipment heat, yet low enough to activate early enough to contain a fire. Not less than 160°F hits that balance point: it’s high enough to ignore ordinary temperatures but responsive to the heat a real fire would produce, enabling the damper to close in a timely manner. A lower rating risks unwanted closure in normal conditions, while a higher rating could delay protection during a fire.

Fusible links are heat-sensitive devices attached to fire dampers that melt at a designated temperature to release the damper and interrupt the spread of fire through ductwork. The classification must be high enough to avoid nuisance operation from normal ambient or equipment heat, yet low enough to activate early enough to contain a fire. Not less than 160°F hits that balance point: it’s high enough to ignore ordinary temperatures but responsive to the heat a real fire would produce, enabling the damper to close in a timely manner. A lower rating risks unwanted closure in normal conditions, while a higher rating could delay protection during a fire.