Where should smoke dampers be installed in relation to the smoke barrier?

Smoke dampers play a critical role in maintaining the effectiveness of smoke barriers in a building's fire protection system. The correct answer emphasizes that smoke dampers should be installed at or within 24 inches of the smoke barrier. This placement is essential for several reasons.

First, installing dampers too far away from the smoke barrier can compromise their efficacy. Smoke barriers are designed to inhibit the spread of smoke and fire, so it's crucial that any devices used for controlling airflow, such as smoke dampers, are placed in close proximity to these barriers. By being within 24 inches, the dampers can respond effectively to smoke conditions and help prevent smoke from traveling past the barrier.

Second, building codes and fire safety regulations typically provide guidelines for the placement of smoke dampers to ensure the safety and integrity of the smoke barrier system. Adhering to these codes helps to establish a consistent and reliable fire protection strategy, benefitting not only the building occupants but also firefighters responding to an emergency.

The other choices suggest placements that could potentially diminish the performance of the smoke dampers, either by placing them too far from the barrier or not having them integrated correctly within the barrier system itself, thus increasing the risk of smoke migration through the building in the event of a fire