What is the function of fire dampers?

The function of fire dampers is to prevent the spread of fire through ventilation systems. Fire dampers are critical components in building fire safety, designed to automatically close in the event of a fire. This action helps to contain the fire and smoke within a designated area, preventing it from moving through the ductwork and into other parts of the building. By restricting the flow of flames and smoke, fire dampers play a vital role in protecting occupied spaces, ensuring that emergency responders have a safer environment to operate in while suppressing the fire.

The other choices reflect functions that do not align with the primary purpose of fire dampers. Enhancing ventilation or allowing smoke to escape does not serve the goal of containment in a fire scenario, and extinguishing flames automatically is a task typically managed by other firefighting systems rather than fire dampers.