To find your fireplace damper, crouch down and look straight up into the firebox (the opening where you burn wood). Shine a flashlight to locate the damper. It is a metal plate or flap situated just above the firebox and is controlled by a lever, knob, or chain.
The throat dampers sit near the base of the chimney close to the top of the fireplace. Top mount dampers are mounted either outside on the top of the chimney or just inside the top of the chimney.
A fireplace damper is a heavy metal plate that regulates airflow. Its exact location depends on the type of fireplace you have:
Fire dampers are either a curtain type or multi-blade damper that is held open by a fusible link that when heated to its temperature rating releases the damper blades and the damper close to prevent the fire from spreading. Some fire dampers utilize an actuator (motor) to cycle the damper.
A fireplace damper looks like a metal trapdoor or valve inside your chimney. Its appearance largely depends on where it is installed.
If you're looking to see if your damper type is “normally open” or “normally closed” then there is an easy way to tell. If you have the damper close by, then cut the power to it and observe the damper blades. If they spring shut, then you have a “normally closed” type of damper.
If there is a metal chain in or besides your fireplace, it means that your chimney has a top-mounted damper. If the chain is tightly attached to a hook, the damper is closed. To open it, take the chain off the hook and let it go.
THE FIRE PLACE
It is not recommended to use a chimney without a damper, as this can lead to heat loss, reduced efficiency, and the risk of smoke and other combustion gasses entering the living space. If your chimney does not have a damper, it is important to have one installed.
HVAC dampers are typically located in the main supply trunk lines of your ductwork, usually just a few feet from your furnace or air handler (in the basement, attic, or utility closet). Look for a small metal lever or wing nut attached to the outside of a round or rectangular metal duct.
There are two types of fire damper closing system: those with a fuse mechanism and those with an actuator, which is motorised, and to which you can connect a smoke detection system. There are also two fire classes for dampers: E-class or EI-class.
To quickly tell if your fireplace damper is open or closed, shine a flashlight up into the firebox. If you can see up into the flue or see daylight, it is open; if you see a metal plate blocking the path, it is closed.
If you are looking at a duct that is coming off the furnace and going straight up like it is going to the upstairs, and the wing is in the same direction as the duct, it is open. If the wing is in the opposite or vertical position to the ductwork, then the damper is closed.
No, not all fireplaces have a damper. While most traditional wood-burning and standard gas fireplaces do, many modern EPA-certified units, direct-vent gas fireplaces, and some historic masonry fireplaces do not have or use one.
A fireplace damper is a heavy metal plate that regulates airflow. Its exact location depends on the type of fireplace you have:
Fire dampers are located within HVAC ductwork wherever ducts penetrate a fire-rated wall, floor, or ceiling. They ensure that the structural integrity and fire rating of the barrier are maintained during a fire.
A fully open damper allows maximum airflow, making the fire burn hotter and faster. If you want a slower burn or a fire that lasts longer, you can partially close the damper to reduce the oxygen supply. Just be careful not to close it too much because it can lead to poor combustion and smoke buildup.
A fire damper typically looks like a metal sleeve or frame housing a folded steel curtain or a set of rotating blades, fitted with a prominent heat-sensitive silver piece called a fusible link. They are usually hidden inside ductwork or behind wall/ceiling vents.
For systems with manual dampers, find them on the main supply trunk, although there may be a damper on every supply duct. If the ductwork is exposed, check which runs have dampers.
To adjust a fireplace damper, first locate its control mechanism. Before lighting a fire, always ensure the damper is fully open. Once a strong fire is established, you can partially close (or "throttle") the damper to prevent heated air from escaping while still allowing smoke to vent safely.
A fireplace damper is a small door inside a fireplace, usually near the base of the chimney. Typically made from cast iron or other heat-resistant metal (sometimes ceramic), the damper essentially opens and closes the chimney.
Natural gas can create carbon monoxide so you need to open the flue. Also, get a CO detector just to be safe. Your instructions will tell you how much your vent needs to be open. Yes, all gas units should be vented!!
Buildings are divided into fire-resisting compartments using walls, floors and ceilings designed to resist fire for a set period, typically 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Fire dampers exist to ensure that ventilation systems do not undermine this compartmentation.
Having no fireplace damper means a significant amount of your home's heated or cooled air is escaping straight up the chimney, while cold outdoor air drafts in. Your best immediate and long-term solutions involve installing a top-sealing damper, adding glass fireplace doors, or using temporary draft blockers.
You can usually tell by checking the damper lever on your ductwork. If it's parallel to the duct, it's open; if it's perpendicular, it's closed. Some systems use motorized dampers, which are controlled by your thermostat or zoning panel.
Also known as chimney cap dampers or top-mounted, these feature a small, spring-loaded door located inside the cap, at the top of the chimney A steel cable stretches from the mounted handle, through the flue, and to the spring-loaded door in the cap.