Backdraft

Dampers

Backdraft Damper Training

Application
Backdraft dampers allow air to flow in one direction only
and prevent unwanted (hot/cold outside air, wind, etc.) from
back-drafting into the building.
They only install in ducts, at walls, or in roofs and open
automatically when air flows in the intended direction and
automatically close when there is no air pressure or when
airflow is in the opposite direction.
Basic Functions
Intake/Exhaust

Barometric/Pressure Relief

Backdraft Damper Training

Intake
Intake backdraft dampers allow supply airflow into a building
while preventing conditioned air from escaping when the fan
is off.
Typical Applications
Intake Air Duct - Wall or plenum mounted
Intake side of rooftop evaporative cooler
(requires counterbalance)

Backdraft Damper Training

Exhaust
Exhaust backdraft dampers allow air to automatically exit the
building and prevent outside air from entering the building.
Typical Applications
In tandem with wall mounted exhaust fan.
Exhaust air duct - wall or plenum mounted
Roof top power ventilator Rooftop gravity ventilator
Backdraft Damper

Backdraft
Damper

Roof Top Power Ventilator

Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan

Backdraft Damper Training

Barometric
Barometric relief dampers open automatically under low velocity
conditions - including natural airflow - and close automatically to
prevent reverse airflow.
Backdraft
Damper

Typical Applications
Rooftop gravity ventilator
Wall mounted relief
(no duct or fan)
Roof Top Gravity Ventilator

Backdraft Damper Training

Pressure Relief
Pressure relief dampers use counterbalance weights to
maintain a relatively constant upstream pressure, they open
automatically at higher pressures and close automatically
when pressures drop.
Typical Applications
Duct or plenum relief
Room relief

Backdraft Damper Training

AMCA 500D Test

Requirements
Test Samples
Pressure drop: 12x12, 12x48, 48x12, 24x24, 36x36
Pressure Drop
Ducted Inlet and Outlet - AMCA 5.3
Lowest Pressure Drop
Ducted Inlet Only - AMCA 5.2
Plenum Mount - AMCA 5.5
(Highest Pressure Drop)

AMCA 5.3 Ducted Inlet & Outlet

AMCA 5.2
Ducted Inlet

AMCA 5.5
Plenum Mount

Backdraft Damper Training

Design Basics and

Typical Application
Light Duty
Most common type and widely used for intake, exhaust,
barometric, and pressure relief applications where air
pressures and velocities are low ( 2 in wg. & 1250 fpm).
Medium Duty
Typically used for intake, exhaust, and pressure relief when
pressure or velocity exceeds the light duty range (>2 in wg.
& 1250 fpm, but 3 in. wg. And 2500 fpm.
Industrial
Employed when the temperature, pressure, or velocity
exceed standard commercial damper limits. Units are
typically flange mounted directly to the duct or fan housing.

Backdraft Damper Training

Light Duty Backdraft Dampers

Applications
BD-50

Gravity Intake and Exhaust Prop-Fan Exhaust Roof Top Power Ventilator

BD-51

Intake or Exhaust where damper blade noise is a concern

BD-52

Evaporative Cooler Discharge Side (down-flow only)

BD-54

Pressure Relief

Adjustable
Counterbalance
Weight

Mounting Arrangements
Vertical Mount
Horizontal Mount

Up-flow
Down-flow (BD-52 Only)

Caution

Multiple Sections
Maximum Velocity & Channel Frame
Pressure Limits
No Exact Pressure Settings

Vertical Mount

Horizontal Mount

Tie-Bar

Integral
Counterbalance
Weight

Backdraft Damper Training

Medium Duty Backdraft Dampers

Applications

Concealed
Linkage

BD-60
Fan Exhaust - Duct or Plenum Mount

BD-64

Adjustable
Counterbalance
Weight

Pressure Relief - Higher velocity

Mounting Arrangements
Vertical Mount
Horizontal Mount
Up-flow only

Caution

Vertical Mount

Hat-Channel
Frame

Horizontal Mount

Low-end velocity and

pressure limits
No Exact Pressure Settings
Retarding Counterbalance
Design Only - No assist to Open

Backdraft Damper Training

Industrial Backdraft Dampers

Applications

Channel Frame

BD-84

Concealed
Linkage

Fan Exhaust - duct or plenum mount

Mounting Arrangements
Vertical Mount only

Caution
Low-end velocity and
pressure limits
No Exact Pressure Settings
Assist to Open Counterbalance
design only

Adjustable
Counterbalance
Weight

Backdraft Damper Training

Options &
Accessories
Flange Frame
For flush mounting to equipment/wall
Intake or discharge
Sleeve
304 Stainless Steel Construction
Electric Actuator (BD-58 Only)

Backdraft Damper Training

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