Section 603.01 Fire and Damper Inspection Program

There is hereby created a Cuyahoga County Fire and Smoke Damper Program for the purpose of ensuring all fire and smoke dampers in County owned buildings are in working order to prevent the spread of fire and smoke inside walls and floors.

(Ordinance No. O2013-0017, Enacted 9/24/2013, Effective 9/27/2013)

Section 603.02 Definitions

A. Fire damper: A listed device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to close automatically upon detection of heat and resist the passage of flame. Fire dampers are classified for use in either static systems that will automatically shut down in the event of a fire, or in dynamic systems that continue to operate during a fire. A dynamic fire damper is tested and rated for closure under elevated temperature airflow.

B. Smoke damper: A listed device installed in ducts and air transfer openings designed to resist the passage of smoke. The device is installed to operate automatically, controlled by a smoke detection system, and where required, is capable of being positioned from a fire command center.

(Ordinance No. O2013-0017, Enacted 9/24/2013, Effective 9/27/2013)

Section 603.03 Regularity and Monitoring Inspections

All fire and smoke damper units in buildings that are County owned shall be tested and inspected every four (4) years. Compliance with this testing and inspections shall be completed and monitored by the Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works.

(Ordinance No. O2013-0017, Enacted 9/24/2013, Effective 9/27/2013)

Section 603.04 Regulations Governing Testing and Inspections and Requirements for the Inspectors

The fire and smoke damper unit testing and inspections shall be conducted in accordance with National Fire Protection Association standards. The testing and inspections shall be conducted by technicians or contractors who have been certified by the International Certification Board and American National Standards Institute to ensure the quality and knowledge of the inspection process. If contracted, procurement of these technicians and contractors shall be made in accordance with the Contracts and Purchasing Procedures set forth in Title 5 of the Cuyahoga County Code by the Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works.

(Ordinance No. O2013-0017, Enacted 9/24/2013, Effective 9/27/2013)

Section 603.05 Repairs or Replacements

If any fire and smoke damper unit is found to be faulty or inoperable, repairs or replacements shall begin as soon as possible and be completed within sixty days (60) from the date the unit was found to be faulty or inoperable. All repairs or replacements of the fire and smoke damper units shall be completed and approved by technicians or contractors who are certified by the International Certification Board and American National Standards Institute. Compliance with the repairs or replacements shall be monitored by the Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works. If contracted, procurement of these technicians and contractors shall be made in accordance with the Contracts and Purchasing Procedures set forth in Title 5 of the Cuyahoga County Code by the Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works.

(Ordinance No. O2013-0017, Enacted 9/24/2013, Effective 9/27/2013)

Section 603.06 Record and Reporting of Inspections and Repairs

All testing and inspections shall be documented indicating the location of each fire and smoke damper, date of the inspection, name of the inspector, deficiencies discovered, and any repairs or replacements completed. The results of the testing and inspections shall be given by technicians or contractors to the Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works within thirty (30) days of the completion of each County owned building tested and inspected. The Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works shall keep those testing and inspection reports until the next testing and inspection is completed four (4) years later. The Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works shall publish on its website semiannual reports of the testing and inspection results (the first of which will cover the period January 1st – June 20th and will be due in July and the second of which will cover the period July 1st – December 21st and will be due in February). The Department of Public Works and the Director of Public shall report to Council through a Council Meeting, Committee of the Whole, or a designated Committee of Council, as requested, the results of the testing and inspection.

Within one year of the effective date of this Ordinance, the County shall complete the inspection and repair of all fire and smoke dampers located in all County owned buildings. During this one-year period, the Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works shall provide quarterly updates on the progress of the inspections and repairs through a council meeting, committee of the whole, or a designated committee of council. Within one year of the effective date of this Ordinance, the Department of Public Works and the Director of Public Works shall deliver a time-line regarding the County’s timeline and scheduling for the on-going regular maintenance and repair of each fire and smoke damper in each County owned building through a council meeting, committee of the whole, or a designated committee of council.

(Ordinance No. O2013-0017, Enacted 9/24/2013, Effective 9/27/2013)