Figure 1 Test setup for linear joints 

Movement in buildings occurs due to various factors such as seismic activity, thermal cycling, hydraulic shock, wind loads, vibrations, live load of slabs, deflection of services, etc. Building movement can cause failure of penetration and linear joint firestop systems by creating cracks and gaps in the assembly. For instance, a building with high susceptibility to vibrations can develop cracks in the structure and, by extrapolation, develop cracks and movement in firestop assemblies.  

The Evolution of Standards 

Joints by design are supposed to accommodate various movements induced by the reasons mentioned above3. EN 1366_4 began to acknowledge this impact and added testing methods for movement capabilities of linear joints. 

For penetration systems, standards like EN 1366_3 assumed a firestop system to be rigid, with no movement. However, this assumption has been challenged and revised over time. In 2016, ASTM E3037 was issued. This addresses the “Standard Test Method for Measuring Relative Movement Capabilities of Through-Penetration Firestop Systems”.  

However, EN still assumes a rigid system and thus does not have any standard addressing movement in penetrations. Conversely, HILTI acknowledges the impact of movement in both penetration and joint systems and performs internal testing at its in-house testing facility for its portfolio for non-standardized penetration systems, taking reference from ASTM E3037 along with standardized joint systems as per EN 1366_4. 

Both penetration and joint systems are tested by cycling a certain number of times at a certain distance to account for both direction and displacement. The systems are tested by a combination of both perpendicular and parallel directions for penetrations and lateral and shear directions for joints, to represent movement that can be experienced over a building’s lifetime. Each cycle and distance are tracked until a maximum movement capability is attained. The system is then subjected to a fire test to ensure the firestop system will perform as intended in the event of a fire, even after being subjected to movement. 

Figure 2 Simplified example of test assembly for movement in penetration1 and joint3 

Identifying Movement Capabilities 

For penetrations, the movement range categories for the Y** direction (perpendicular to the penetrant) are (up to) 5%, 25%, 50% and 100% of the annular space, and for the Z** direction (parallel to the penetrant) (up to) .25”/6.35 mm, .5”/12.7 mm, 1”/25.4 mm, 3.21”/81.534 mm. 

For joints, the displacement of both lateral and shear movement should equal 100% of the movement capability given by HILTI/manufacturer.  

It’s important to note that a system cannot be certified for movement alone and must also pass the fire test. These results quantify the amount of movement firestop systems can accommodate while still performing as intended in the event of a fire. 

Research and Testing 

Hilti has successfully tested a variety of penetration and linear joint systems, from those that use sealants, such as FS-ONE Max, to those that use pre-formed devices, such as the speed sleeve CP 653 or firestop blocks CFS-BL. Through intense movement criteria research and testing, Hilti has determined that pre-formed devices, such as drop-in devices (CFS-DID), cast-in devices (CFS-CID), firestop blocks (CFS-BL) and speed sleeves (CP 653) perform significantly better when it comes to movement than traditional sealant systems (refer to table below for testing results). The pre-formed devices typically exceed the thresholds of the limits set by the standards and, as a result, for firestop systems where movement is critical, these devices would be recommended. Some firestop devices, for example, allow up to 100% movement in Y direction and the highest performance in Z direction like CP 680, CP 653 etc. (refer to table below). 

Figure 3 Test results of firestop solutions for movement – preformed devices 

Figure 4 Test results of firestop solutions for movement – sealants 

Additional Attributes 

These products also provide multiple additional attributes like acoustic insulation, air and gas tightness, water resistance, etc. to serve multiple needs of different stakeholders. These attributes, together with the fulfillment of movement criteria described, help make buildings more resilient. In addition, HILTI can be a great partner to collaborate with to achieve Sustainability Goals as we help you achieve Green Building Certification through VOC certificates, Material Health Certificates, Product Carbon Footprint and Environmental Product Declarations.
  

Conclusion 

One should not take movement capability* data as a single/only parameter for firestop selection. It is advised to check other parameters like seismic study, climatic conditions at site, required fire rating, type of penetrant and penetrating items etc. and select the most optimal firestop solution using HILTI Firestop Selector. Also, the effects of movement in penetrations can be significantly reduced by ensuring stability in the penetrants, which can be effectively achieved through the proper utilization of HILTI modular supports. This comprehensive approach helps to ensure the safety and longevity of the building structure, considering the dynamic nature of building movements. 

One should keep in mind that, since there is no standard available for movement in penetration systems, the manufacturer must provide some valid backing document (e.g. an Engineering Judgement) validating their claim of accommodating building movement. 
 
* Movement capability is the max. amount of movement the joint seal can tolerate as stated by manufacturer, expressed as a percentage** of the nominal width. 
** The percentage is the displacement in one direction i.e. for lateral movement either elongation (+x%) or compression (-x%).      
 
**(X = vertical movement, up and down, 
Y = horizontal movement, left and right, perpendicular to the penetrant 
Z = axial movement, in and out, parallel to the penetrant) 
 

For more information, please contact your local Hilti experts or go to Hilti's online shop.
     I.        For information on other additional attributes, check out our AskHILTI article OR check out the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLnQDHpL5fQ
    II.        To understand better about movement in building construction, check out the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzU-G64ga3E