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BD,
SMART VENT manufactures two UL-certified Fire Damper models. A masonry installation model (1540-530) and a wood wall installation model (1540-537). These fire dampers are certified to provide two hours of fire resistance. It is intended to be used in a situation in which fire proofing is required on a wall in which flood venting is installed, usually in a garage or vestibule.
A fusible link holds a galvanized steel door in place. At 165 degrees F (73.9 degrees C), the link melts to permit the door to drop, blocking the path of fire. Compatible with SMART VENT and FLOOD VENT models – The Fire Damper can safely be installed in the same cavity for either of the flood protection models, without interfering in their operation. Trim flange and inner sleeve are required for installation.
To view images of the Fire Damper, please go to our online product catalog.
Need comments on fire safety impacts with interior walls separating parking area from storage area. Law requires interior walls be fitted with vents but building codes require no openings for fire stop.
Robert,
Sure you can SMART VENT in 2″ x 6″ wood framing. Our Wood Wall Model #1540-570 is 14.5″ x 8.5″ and certified for 200 sq. ft. per unit. This unit is designed to fit in between 16″ studs on center. The model has four pre-drilled holes in the corners of the outer flange and you would simply screw this vent into the studs.
Can you Smart Vent in 2 x 6 wood framing, if so what is the application? Thank You.
Ken,
Each of our 16″ x 8″ SMART VENT units provides 200 sq. ft. of coverage so you would have only needed (6) single units for 1,200 sq. ft. With your situation having (2) 25″ x 25″ holes, I would close those up and put in (6) single units around the foundation.
If you have to use those giant holes, I would recommend either our stacked 16″ x 16″ units certified for 400 sq. ft. each or our quad configuration which is 32″ x 16″ certified for 800 sq. ft. each. Since our vents are tested and certified units, we cannot make custom sizes.
Doing work on floodplain homes.. 1200 square ft, foundation contractor left two holes at 25″ x 25″. What vent would you recommend.. other job two holes at 22″ x 38″. Thanks.
Don Meilner,
The openings should be installed on at least two sides of each enclosed area to decrease the chances that all openings could be blocked with floating debris and to allow for more even filling by floodwater and draining of the enclosed area.
It is recommended that openings be reasonably distributed around the perimeter of the enclosed area unless there is justification for putting all openings on just two sides.
Are there flow thrus required in every exterior wall?
Michael,
We sure can. If you can email us at info@smartvent.com the plans we will have our team of engineers take a look and then contact you to discuss your project in full detail.
I’m building a home in Beach Haven, NJ. I’ve decided to use SMART VENTS to protect the home in the event of a flood. I can send you the proposed location of the SMART VENTS as provided by my architect. The plan does not call for any flood vents in the entry of the home which concerns me. Can you let me know if this plan meets code and sufficiently protects the home?
Harold,
The NFIP regulations require that residential buildings constructed in “A” flood zones have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to or above the base flood elevation (BFE). Enclosed areas are permitted under elevated buildings provided the enclosed areas meet certain construction requirements related to flood resistance, including installation of openings to allow for automatic entry and exit of floodwaters.
The term “lowest floor” refers to the first livable or occupied floor. This floor must be elevated above the BFE and only the enclosed areas below that height must have flood openings. Therefore, our hydrostatic relief SMART VENTS would not be required in an occupied floor of a house.
Can you use flood vents in an occupied floor of a house?
Andy,
This is an easy one. There is one document that you need that comes in every vent box, is available on our website, and can be found right here. This document is our ICC-ES Report ESR-2074. This evaluation report states that one 16″ x 8″ SMART VENT unit is certified to provide 200 sq/ft of flood protection and should be attached to the elevation certificate to submit to your insurance agent. Please circle the SMART VENT model used in section 3.3 or section 3.4 of this report.
If further clarification is needed please refer to FEMA’s Technical Bulletin 1 (TB 1-08). This provides guidance on the NFIP regulations concerning the requirement for openings in below-Base Flood Elevation foundation walls and walls of enclosures for buildings located in Zones A, AE, A1-30, AR, AO, and AH.
On page 25/26 you will find a section entitled “Engineered openings with ICC-ES Evaluation Reports” that states for engineered openings with ICC-ES Evaluation Reports the certification required is, “a copy of the Evaluation Report that documents that the engineered openings meet the performance requirements of the NFIP and the building code, and that specifies the number of such openings that are required for a specific square footage of enclosed area below the BFE..”
Clarification is also supplied in the NFIP Bulletin W-08086. The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the alternative measures listed in the Flood Insurance Manual for meeting the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) openings requirement.
This is written for WYO Principal Coordinators and NFIP Servicing Agents to restate the documentation that is required for engineered openings. Note in the second bullet point where it states: “For engineered openings for which the ICC Evaluation Service, Inc., has issued an Evaluation Report, a copy of the Evaluation Report is required.”
What documentation or certification forms are required to submit to my insurance agent after I install my SMART VENTS?
Trevor,
You may have heard that FEMA requires a vent with “1 sq. in. of opening per 1 sq. ft. of enclosed area”, referring to vent dimensions in proportion to the space to be vented. This is only partially correct. FEMA guidelines (as outlined in FEMA’s Technical Bulletin 1-08) do state that a non-engineered flood vent solution must (among other requirements) provide 1 NET sq. in. of opening per 1 sq. ft. of space vented. This is only in reference to non-engineered openings, however; all of our flood vent products are certified engineered openings. In accordance with the further guidelines of TB 1-08, our vents have been tested, rated, and certified for their coverage of 200 sq. ft. per unit by the International Code Council’s Evaluation Service.
How does one 16″ x 8″ SMART VENT provide 200 square feet of coverage?