Life Safety
Designing “longevity into life safety” of rated dynamic joint assemblies one should consider:
- Materials designed into protection of dynamic joints are certified to withstand hourly rating, accommodate anticipated deflection, and endure required level of cyclical movement without fatigue or failure.
- Life safety measures designed into joint assemblies are maintained when non-fire rated materials covering rated joint materials (i.e. finish caulks, crown moldings, or drywall ceilings) are removed, replaced, or damaged by occupants on at least one side of partition.
UL certified and listed BlazeFrame composite profiles are designed to provide continuous life safety while accommodating deflection or movement of the structure and provide for permanent positive attachment or continued support of framing members.
Life safety including protection against air/smoke leakage, fire, and thermal transfer is provided by a cured intumescent held in position “inside” dynamic or static joints.
Applied in a “factory metered dosage” ensures consistent amount of material avoiding under application.
Composite design eliminates adhesive, cohesive, or three sided adhesion failure possible with “wet applied” materials due to shrinking/cracking during curing process, dynamic movement, or lost adhesion to dirty, drywall dust, wet, or oily substrate surfaces.
Movement capabilities established during UL Certification have shown joint materials (composite track/fire stop, wall sheathing, and substrate materials) experience no fatigue during most severe Level III (seismic) cyclical test.
Fire stop located “inside” joint allows for application of aesthetic materials (finish caulks, crown molding, drywall rips or ceilings, etc…) in front of or concealing joints which can be repaired, removed, or replaced during partition life cycle with no negative affect on life safety provided by BlazeFrame joint protection.
