Understanding Structural Loads & Fire Protection with FZ400 Nullifire UK

Understanding Structural Loads & Fire Protection with FZ400 Nullifire UK

Discover how Nullifire FZ400 Movement Joint Filler helps manage building movement and structural loads while enhancing passive fire protection. Ideal for dynamic joints.

Let’s explore why these matters — and how Nullifire FZ400 addresses the issue head-on.

Why Building Movement Matters in Firestopping

In real-world environments, buildings are constantly in motion—they shift, flex, expand, and settle due to various structural and environmental forces. While most firestop systems are tested under static conditions, they often fail to account for the dynamic loads and repetitive strain that occur over time.

Structural Loads That Cause Building Movement

Understanding these forces is critical for selecting the right firestop solution:

✅  Fire Loads: Sudden heat spikes cause thermal expansion and steel distortion.

✅  Dynamic Loads: Machinery vibrations and occupancy changes stress the structure.

✅  Static Loads: Permanent elements like walls and roofs exert constant pressure.

✅  Wind Loads: High winds flex façades and shift structural components.

✅  Subsidence & Settlement: Ground shifts cause uneven foundation movement.

✅  Thermal Expansion: Materials expand and contract with temperature changes.

✅  Snow Loads: Seasonal snow alters pressure distribution.

✅  Heave: Moisture-swollen clay soil lifts parts of the foundation.

The Problem with Rigid Firestop Systems

Standard firestop systems especially around service penetrations are tested under EN 1366-3/4, which doesn’t reflect real-world movement. Over time, this can lead to:

🚨  Material fatigue

🚨  Cracking or detachment

🚨  Loss of cold smoke sealing

Flexible Firestop for Service Routing

Modern construction demands flexibility in service routing. Traditional firestop systems can hinder retrofits and reconfigurations, making it difficult to adapt to evolving building needs.

Nullifire FZ400: Movement-Tolerant Firestop Solution

Nullifire FZ400 is a GXT-based firestopping product engineered to maintain fire resistance and smoke containment—even under compression, vibration, or movement.

⭐ Key Features of FZ400

Designed for Real-World Loads

FZ400 helps specifiers and contractors futureproof their firestopping strategy, ensuring long-term protection against shifting, swelling, and settling.

📞Need Help with Firestop Design?

Contact Nullifire’s technical team for expert guidance and access to movement-ready firestop solutions tailored to your project.