Card shelf fire suppression system and method

A card shelf fire suppression system includes a card shelf having a backplane and a plurality of slots. The slots are each configured to receive an electronic card adapted for engagement with the backplane. The system also includes an airflow path for providing airflow adjacent the electronic card for dissipating thermal energy generated by the electronic card. The system further includes a damper system disposed proximate the slots and operable to passively activate to substantially prevent airflow through the slots and adjacent the electronic card. The damper system includes a damper, a support, and a thermal fuse. In response to an elevated temperature condition, the thermal fuse deforms causing the damper to become unsupported by the support, thereby accommodating movement of the damper from an open position to a closed position to substantially prevent airflow to the electronic cards.