Mass timber construction has been on the rise in recent years thanks to its many features, such as smaller carbon footprints, faster construction times, and improved aesthetics living spaces. As a result, Hilti is focusing on supporting this construction type and has become a leader in offering superior options for the firestopping needs of complex mass timber projects.

Firestop is an important design consideration in mass timber projects. Passive fire protection is vital for creating a safer and code-compliant building. Hilti offers both traditional firestop solutions installed on-site for mass timber and pre-formed firestop solutions that can even be pre-installed in the mass timber element prior to arriving on-site, thereby complimenting prefabricated assemblies.

Model building codes require firestop systems to be tested and approved, which means all firestop systems must be based on testing. In North America, firestop systems are commonly expressed in the form of listed and certified systems. Listed systems can be found on the listing agency’s publications and often on the firestop manufacturer’s publications as well.

Listed firestop systems offer many benefits as they are developed from test data and are published by well-known entities. They offer 3rd party validation of test data and are publicly available.

Until recently, there were no listed firestop systems for mass timber in North America and engineering judgments were frequently needed to address firestop applications. Hilti began testing firestop solutions for mass timber in 2018 and supported the industry by providing engineering judgments based on this testing. During this time, Hilti worked on establishing a pathway for listing these tested solutions with well-known certification bodies. The listings that are now available are the world’s first listed firestop systems in mass timber that are tested in accordance with ASTM E814, UL 1479 and CAN/ULC S115. Hilti appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with Intertek to bring these solutions to the public.

Hilti now has five firestop listings for mass timber. These through penetration systems involve the traditional method of using firestop sealant over mineral wool to protect the opening. Penetrating items include metallic pipe, nonmetallic pipe, cables, and HVAC line sets. Examples of the applications in these listing are shown in the images below.

Through-Penetration Firestop Systems

HI/PF 120-07 (UL 1479, ASTM E814, CAN/ULC S115)

HI/PF 120-08

HI/PF 120-09 (UL 1479, ASTM E814)

HI/PF 120-10 (UL 1479, ASTM E814, CAN/ULC S115)

HI/PF 120-11 (UL 1479, ASTM E814, CAN/ULC S115)

F-G-2001 (UL 1479, CAN/ULC S115 at 2.5 Pa)

F-G-5001 (UL 1479, CAN/ULC S115)

Perimeter Fire Barrier Systems

HI/BPF 120-33 (ASTM E2307, CAN/ULC S115)

HI/BPF 120-34 (ASTM E2307, CAN/ULC S115)

HI/BPF 120-35 (ASTM E2307, CAN/ULC S115)

HI/BPF 120-36 (ASTM E2307, CAN/ULC S115)

HI/BPF 180-03 (ASTM E2307, CAN/ULC S115)

HI/BPF 180-04 (ASTM E2307, CAN/ULC S115)

We are excited to continue to innovate in fire protection for mass timber construction and will also continue to support your mass timber projects with other applications via listed systems and engineering judgments from the Hilti Fire Protection Design Team.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HILTI’S WORK WITH INNOVATIONS FOR MASS TIMBER CONSTRUCTION and download the new listings here:

US: https://www.hilti.com/content/hilti/W1/US/en/engineering/design-centers/firestop/mass-timber.html
Canada: https://www.hilti.ca/content/hilti/W1/CA/en/engineering/design-centers/firestop/mass-timber.html