Engineering judgments
Engineering judgments. What are they?
A specific drawing or group of drawings created by a firestop manufacturer for a customer for a specific firestop application on a job-site.
Why do they exist?
No matter how many firestop tests are completed at UL/OPL, contractors seem to always encounter different ways of penetrating fire-rated assemblies. In order to provide the proper fire protection for an entire building, custom drawings are needed for these odd applications.
How are these drawings created?
Engineering judgments are based off of UL/OPL tested systems. These designs are created by a qualified technical personnel in accordance with the "Recommended International Firestop Council (IFC) Guidelines for Evaluating Firestop Systems Engineering Judgments" in mind.
- Click here to download the engineering judgment request forms
Hilti's Engineering Judgments
Firestop systems are designed and installed to impede the passage of fire, hot gases and toxic smoke through construction openings created in fire-rated assemblies. These systems are required by all Model Building Codes to be tested and rated as part of an assembly in accordance with ASTM E-814 and/or other applicable fire testing standards (UL 1479). This ensures that each specifically designed system will maintain or exceed the hourly rating given to the fire-rated assembly in which it is restoring.
A specific drawing or group of drawings created by a firestop manufacturer for a customer for a specific firestop application on a job-site.
Why do they exist?
No matter how many firestop tests are completed at UL/OPL, contractors seem to always encounter different ways of penetrating fire-rated assemblies. In order to provide the proper fire protection for an entire building, custom drawings are needed for these odd applications.
How are these drawings created?
Engineering judgments are based off of UL/OPL tested systems. These designs are created by a qualified technical personnel in accordance with the "Recommended International Firestop Council (IFC) Guidelines for Evaluating Firestop Systems Engineering Judgments" in mind.
- Click here to download the engineering judgment request forms
Hilti's Engineering Judgments
Firestop systems are designed and installed to impede the passage of fire, hot gases and toxic smoke through construction openings created in fire-rated assemblies. These systems are required by all Model Building Codes to be tested and rated as part of an assembly in accordance with ASTM E-814 and/or other applicable fire testing standards (UL 1479). This ensures that each specifically designed system will maintain or exceed the hourly rating given to the fire-rated assembly in which it is restoring.
Although Hilti has performed numerous UL/OPL tests, not every field application has been tested. There may be variations in the type of penetrating item, size or number of penetrants passing through a rated assembly. Because such conditions cannot be ignored, we are often asked to provide a solution. IFC has developed guidelines for construction industry professionals, fire officials, architects and others to utilize when evaluating and using such a judgment. The IFC guidelines suggest that engineering judgements not be used in lieu of tested systems when available, be based upon previously tested systems, and be issued only by a qualified technical person. All specific information such as the size, type and location of the penetrating item must also appear on the drawing. They must also only be issued for a single specific job and should not be transferred to any other job without review of all aspects of the next jobs circumstances.
All Hilti engineering judgments are created by a team of degreed fire protection engineers through the careful and restricted application of engineering principles and fire protection testing guidelines. Test data of like systems are analyzed and applied toward similar applications that do not meet exact UL System requirements.
Engineering judgments are not intended to replace existing UL listed systems, but represent suggested solutions for unusual construction conditions that are not adequately covered among already tested systems. Key fundamental guidelines issued by the IFC are:
All Hilti engineering judgments are created by a team of degreed fire protection engineers through the careful and restricted application of engineering principles and fire protection testing guidelines. Test data of like systems are analyzed and applied toward similar applications that do not meet exact UL System requirements.
Engineering judgments are not intended to replace existing UL listed systems, but represent suggested solutions for unusual construction conditions that are not adequately covered among already tested systems. Key fundamental guidelines issued by the IFC are:
- Not be issued in lieu of tested systems when available.
- Be issued only by the firestop manufacturer's qualified technical personnel.
- Be based upon interpolations of previously tested firestop systems.
- Based upon the understanding that the recommended firestop system protecting the assembly would perform as designed if subjected to the appropriate firestop test standard for the required rated period of time.
- Be limited only to the specific conditions upon which the engineering judgment was rendered.
- Be issued for a single specific job and should not be transferred to any other job or location without thorough review of all aspects or circumstances of the next job.
- Be issued only in those locales where local code enforcement jurisdictions permit their use as suitable for meeting building code requirements.
Basic Presentation Requirements
- Be presented in descriptive formal written form with or without detail drawings.
- Clearly indicate that the recommended firestop system is an engineering judgment and NOT a listed system.
- Identify job, contractor, non-standard conditions and hourly rating required.
- Provide complete description s of all vital elements of the firestop system (i.e.,type of assembly being penetrated, annular space requirements, opening size, type of penetrant, etc.).
- Include clear directions for the installation of the firestop system.
- Bear dates of issue and authorization signatures as well as issuer's name, address and telephone number.
- Reference tested systems(s) which design is based off of.
To learn more about firestopping or to request an engineering judgment, please contact Hilti Customer Service at 800-879-8000.
- Be issued only by the firestop manufacturer's qualified technical personnel.
- Be based upon interpolations of previously tested firestop systems.
- Based upon the understanding that the recommended firestop system protecting the assembly would perform as designed if subjected to the appropriate firestop test standard for the required rated period of time.
- Be limited only to the specific conditions upon which the engineering judgment was rendered.
- Be issued for a single specific job and should not be transferred to any other job or location without thorough review of all aspects or circumstances of the next job.
- Be issued only in those locales where local code enforcement jurisdictions permit their use as suitable for meeting building code requirements.
Basic Presentation Requirements
- Be presented in descriptive formal written form with or without detail drawings.
- Clearly indicate that the recommended firestop system is an engineering judgment and NOT a listed system.
- Identify job, contractor, non-standard conditions and hourly rating required.
- Provide complete description s of all vital elements of the firestop system (i.e.,type of assembly being penetrated, annular space requirements, opening size, type of penetrant, etc.).
- Include clear directions for the installation of the firestop system.
- Bear dates of issue and authorization signatures as well as issuer's name, address and telephone number.
- Reference tested systems(s) which design is based off of.
To learn more about firestopping or to request an engineering judgment, please contact Hilti Customer Service at 800-879-8000.