If the building’s movement is greater than the joint firestop system
can accommodate, a through opening could be created, or the joint
could be pulled apart and fail to provide the required protection.
Conversely, if movement reduces the joint space to a size smaller
than the design anticipated, it could displace the joint materials or
result in crushing of one of the assemblies or of the adjacent finishes
or protection. Therefore, one of the first people with whom the joint
requirements should be discussed is the structural engineer, who
would be able to provide guidance on the anticipated movement the
joint system will face over the building’s lifetime.
TESTING & STANDARDS
For the Firestop joint system, there is no testing standard existing so
far in India. However, by practice the industry uses ASTM/UL tested
systems for firestop joints.
In IBC, Section 715.3 establishes the testing criteria used to determine
the suitability of fire-resistant joint systems in specific applications.
The code requires joint systems to be tested in accordance with the
requirements of either the ASTM E 1966 or UL 2079 standard, which
are essentially equivalent. As mentioned previously, these standards
evaluate joint systems that protect linear openings between adjacent
fire-resistance-rated assemblies. The tests require the joint system
to meet many of the same requirements that the ASTM E 119 or UL
263 tests do for the wall or horizontal assembly (ability to prohibit
passage of flame, limit temperature transmission, withstand hose
stream test, maintain load-bearing capacity if needed), but focus
on the joint and its ability to go through anticipated movement
cycles while continuing to function. The ASTM E 1966 test does not
evaluate the level of smoke leakage and, therefore, where smoke
barriers are involved, Section 715.6 will specify that testing is done
in accordance with UL 2079 and require an L rating with a maximum
specified air leakage rate.
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