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Apprentice answer

Why does a manual damper handle slip on a sloped travel piece

2nd YearDampers, Fire/Smoke & Life SafetyStandard Correction

Gravity and vibration can walk a loose damper quadrant on a sloped run. Reset the blade, tighten/lock the quadrant hardware, and mark the final position.

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Plain-English answer

A manual damper mounted on an angled travel piece can let the handle drift if the quadrant hardware is loose or the faceplate is oily. Vibration can slowly walk the blade away from the balancer’s setting.

Clean the quadrant, reset the blade to the marked position, tighten the lock hardware, and add approved locking hardware if needed. Mark the final setpoint so future drift is obvious.

Ask Foreman

The manual damper on this sloped 45 run is walking closed from vibration. I reset the blade to [position]. Do you want me to lock and mark the quadrant for TAB?

Verify before acting

Use this as training guidance. Foreman direction, approved drawings, project specs, manufacturer instructions, employer safety policy, and AHJ/code requirements always control the final answer.

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