Where to Find Self Closing Fire Vents?

I think I have seen them mentioned here, but my search terms aren't turning anything up. I'm doing a remodel in the basement based on my stove. I'm going to use the ceiling joist to pipe the rising hot air into the second story where there will be vents in the floor. The fire department here isn't aware of a code requiring self closing fire vents but I am thinking of putting them in. Does anyone here know of a source for vents that I could place in the basement ceiling that will close automatically in the event of a fire?

Self closing fire vents are a commercial fire damper. These items are used in commercial heating systems for opening protection at fire walls. You will have to go through a commercial heating supplier to get them.

Installation must be per manufacturer's and NFPA requirements to be effective.

If the basement ceiling is fire rated, it might be worth it. It would slow the fire down and prevent some damage providing the fire department has a reasonable response. There are many things you should consider if you want to do this. Are all the holes in the floor for plumbing and electrical lines fire stopped?

If the ceiling is not fire rated and/or you have other holes, the amount of damage contained would be minimal.

Keep in mind, this is for fire and not smoke. The smoke will kill you long before the fire reaches you.

I would recommend spending your money on a good smoke alarm system and insurance policy. Educate yourself and your family on how to exit the home quickly in an emergency.

here's some
**Broken Link(s) Removed**Spring Loaded with a Thermal Link, hits a certain temperature and the link melts and the dampers close.

Ouch. The ceiling joist are 2x8 so none of those in the Granger catalog will work because they are too tall. looks like steamup has the correct answer to my pseudo problem.

Maybe this might be of interest. I have family out in California and the state is now requiring self closing vents on houses near wildland areas. There is an all metal self closing vent made for this new building code. After a few seconds of a certain temperature it snaps shut and locks. It is made by Vivico and sounds like it is the right size.

There is also another company making a honeycomb material that melts and shuts off airflow, but it cannot take direct flame. Also, it cannot be reused once it melts. It is made by Vulcan. The Vulcan product is designed to stop embers from flowing on the wind into your eaves or crawl space, etc. The Vivico product is new and sounds like it has more applications like you're talking about. It can also be reset after activation and can be closed manually. They are still testing it for fire rating, but it meets the new California building code for embers now.

Hope this helps. By the way, good idea closing off the house like that. I never would have thought of that. I'm thinking about that now.

I need to reply to my own reply. I called my relatives and asked about the self closing vents. They are having seminars for home owners because of the fires. The Vulcan product that I mentioned is a honeycomb material that melts closed after being subjected to heat for one minute, ten seconds and it will take fire for ten minutes. The Vivico is an all metal box the size of a home vent and will snap shut in 7 seconds. It too has been tested for ten minutes of fire, but will be tested for the longer fire rating soon.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl9z_W6FlDY [/youtube]

Thanks "Wiz" for the video. That's the one I was talking about. VivicoLLC.com