To protect each zone from fire, a fire damper is often placed and utilized between two fire zones. In most cases, the walls, doors, and ceilings of the rooms are constructed of fire-resistant materials, and in the event of a fire, the only pathways for hot air and high-temperature smoke to enter are those used for sound transmission. It is possible to stop the entry and spread of hot air and fire between various zones by putting a fire damper on the partition (the boundary wall dividing two rooms, known as two zones or fire zones).

Fused fire dampers have a similar use to motorized fire dampers, however instead of a fuse and spring mechanism, an electric motor is used to close the blades in a fire situation. From the fire panel, the user can control the electric motor, which enables them to block or remove various routes and zones depending on the situation.