WO2006029289A2

WO2006029289A2 - Fire barrier for expansion joints

Info

Publication number: WO2006029289A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/032087
Authority: WO
Inventors: John E. Sobol
Original assignee: Watson Bowman Acme Corporation
Priority date: 2004-09-09
Filing date: 2005-09-09
Publication date: 2006-03-16
Also published as: WO2006029289A3

Abstract

A fire barrier for architectural expansion joints having fire resistant barrier material that extends in multiple-directions. The fire barrier is used to accommodate directional changes in architectural expansion joints. Also provided is an expansion joint system for architectural expansion joints incorporating the fire barrier and a method for installing the fire barrier within an architectural expansion joint gap.

Description

WBA.P.3164

FIRE BARRIER FOR EXPANSION JOINTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fire barrier construction for use in buildings. The present invention more particularly relates to a multi-directional fire barrier construction for use in expansion joints of building structures to prevent the spread of heat, flame, and smoke during a fire event.

BACKGROUND

The threat of fire is an ever present danger for architectural structures, such as buildings, parking garages, stadiums, and the like. The best defense during a fire situation is to contain the fire and to prevent it from spreading throughout the architectural structure. Containment of the fire is typically accomplished through the use of compartments within the architectural structure. The compartments are constructed with fire rated ceilings, floors, and walls.

During construction of building structures, architects and engineers must take into account the effects of seismic events, settlement, and thermal expansion and contraction on movement of the building structure. To overcome the problems associated with building movement, architects provide buildings with gaps or openings between adjacent walls, ceilings, and floors to accommodate building movement. These openings are known in the art as expansion joints. Depending on the movement to be accommodated, the expansion joint may be as small as 1 inch in width or as large as 24 inches in width.

A significant disadvantage associated with the use of expansion joints is that they pass through and create openings between building compartments, fire rated walls, floors, and roofs. Thus, under conditions of a real fire, it is these openings WBA.P.3164

that permit flame and smoke to spread through vertical and horizontal expansion joint passages from one compartment to another. As expansion joint openings permit the spread of fire and smoke to other parts of a building, it is necessary to utilize a fire barrier system within the expansion joint opening. The presence of the fire barrier will prevent the spread of flame, smoke, and toxic gases. The performance of the fire barrier system during a real fire will protect lives and property.

Many fire resistant barriers are known in the art. Most fire barriers comprise linear or straight lengths of one or more layers of a suitable fire resistant material. Other fire barriers include linear or straight lengths comprising laminates of intumescent material, or laminates of fire resistant material and an intumescent material. When exposed to heat or flames, the intumescent materials expand to the fill the openings created by the expansion joint to prevent the passage of flame, smoke, and toxic gases.

Not all building expansion joint gaps and openings are straight. In fact, many of the building expansion joint openings include changes in direction. It is a known industry wide problem that it is difficult to design fire barriers for use in building expansion joints that can accommodate directional changes. Heretofore, prior art fire barriers have not provided a suitable solution to accommodate these directional changes.

Although the prior art fire barriers are designed to prevent the spread of fire in buildings, none disclose the fire barrier of the present invention. The failure of the prior art to provide a suitable fire barrier for accommodating directional changes within building expansion joints continues to threaten human safety and building integrity. Thus, there is a great need in the art of fire resistance and thermal insulation to provide a fire barrier system for building expansion joints which prevents the spread of flames and smoke during a fire, WBA.P.3164

which retains resiliency during thermal or seismic building movement, and which is easy to install.

SUMMARY

A fire barrier for an architectural expansion joint is provided, said fire barrier, when installed with said architectural expansion joint, comprising portions of fire resistant material extending in multiple directions.

A fire barrier for installation in an architectural expansion joint is provided, said fire barrier, when installed, comprises a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, wherein said major axis of said first portion is substantially perpendicular to said major axis of said second portion.

A fire barrier for installation in an architectural expansion joint is provided, said fire barrier, when installed, comprises a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, wherein said major axis of said first portion is disposed at an angle that is greater than 0° with respect to said major axis of said second portion.

An architectural expansion joint system is also provided, said expansion joint comprising two spaced structural members defining a gap therebetween and a fire barrier installed in the gap between said spaced apart members, said fire barrier, when installed, comprising a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, wherein said major axis of said first portion is substantially perpendicular to said major axis of said second portion. WBA.P.3164

A method for installing a fire barrier in an architectural expansion joint, said method comprising providing a fire barrier and affixing said fire barrier to an expansion joint, said fire barrier, when affixed, comprises a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, wherein said major axis of said first portion is substantially perpendicular to said major axis of said second portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1 is a top view of an uninstalled two-way horizontal fire barrier.

FIG 2 is a perspective view of an installed L-shaped two-way horizontal fire barrier.

FIG 3 is an end view of an installed L-shaped two-way horizontal fire barrier.

FIG 4 is a perspective view of an uninstalled T-shaped three-way fire barrier.

FIG 5 is a perspective view of an installed T-shaped three-way fire barrier.

FIG 6 is a perspective view of an installed T-shaped three-way fire barrier.

FIG 7 is a perspective view of an uninstalled + -shaped four- way fire barrier.

FIG 8 is a top view of an installed + -shaped four- way fire barrier. WBA.P.3164

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A fire resistant barrier for architectural expansion joints is provided. The fire barrier is intended for installation in an architectural expansion joint gap that is created between two architectural members. The fire barrier provides fire resistance and maintains its resiliency during building cycling or movement. The fire barrier substantially prevents the spread of heat, flames, gases, and smoke though the expansion joint gaps during a real fire.

When installed within a architectural expansion joint of a building structure, the fire barrier includes portions of fire resistant material extending in multiple directions. That is, when installed within a architectural expansion joint of a building structure, the fire barrier includes a first portion of fire barrier material extending in a first direction and at least a second portion extending in at least a second direction which is different from the first direction in which the first portion of fire barrier material extends.

According to certain embodiments, when installed in the expansion joint gap, the fire barrier includes a first portion having both a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having both a major axis and a minor axis. In one embodiment, the fire barrier is designed such that the major axis of the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the second portion of the fire barrier. The term "substantially perpendicular" refers to an angle that permits the fire barrier to be disposed within a directional change within an expansion j oint opening .

According to other embodiments, the fire barrier when installed, comprises a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, where the major axis of the first WBA.P.3164

portion is disposed at an angle that is greater than 0° with respect to the major axis of the second portion.

The fire barrier can be provided in a variety of shapes or configurations to accommodate directional changes within the expansion joint gap. By way of illustration, but not in limitation, the fire barrier may be provided as a two-way, three-way, or four- way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier. The terms "two- way," "three-way," and "four- way" refer to fire barriers in an installed condition that have portions that extend in two, three, or four directions, respectively, in one plane.

According to certain embodiments, the fire barrier comprises at least one fire resistant material layer. Without limitation, the fire resistant material layer may be provided in a form selected from woven fabrics, non- woven fabrics, papers, blankets, mat, batts, felts, other industrial textiles, and like materials.

The fire barrier may be provided in the form of a fire resistant blanket. The blanket material may comprise heat and flame resistant inorganic fibers. Without limitation, suitable inorganic fibers that may be used to manufacture the fire resistant blanket layer of the fire barrier include ceramic fibers and high temperature resistant glass fibers. Without limitation, suitable ceramic fibers which may be used to manufacture the fire barrier blanket may include alumina fibers, alumino-silicate fibers, mixtures thereof, and similar high temperature resistant inorganic fibers.

According to certain embodiments, metal layers may be utilized to create various laminates with the fire resistant blanket or to encapsulate the fire resistant blanket. Without limitation, the use of metal foils in combination with the fire resistant blanket enhances the fire barrier performance by reflecting heat WBA.P.3164

and by further preventing the passage of smoke and gases. Suitable metal foils may include stainless steel foils.

Alternatively, the fire barrier may comprise one or more layers of a high temperature resistant intumescent material. The high temperature resistant intumescent layer may be provided in the form of blankets, felts, mats and papers. According to certain embodiments, the intumescent layer is in the form a mat structure, which comprises a blend of inorganic fibers, an intumescent agent, and binder.

According to other embodiments, the fire barrier may include a laminate of at least one fire resistant material layer and at least one high temperature resistant intumescent layer.

According to further embodiments, the fire barrier may include a laminate of at least one fire resistant material layer, at least one high temperature resistant intumescent layer, and at least one metal layer.

A wide variety of fire barriers can be constructed using the fire resistant material layers and/or high temperature resistant intumescent layers. For example, the fire barrier may comprise a one or more layers of a fire resistant material that are attached, bonded, or disposed adjacent to one or more layers of intumescent material. Alternatively, the fire barrier may comprise a laminate of an intumescent material that is sandwiched between two fire resistant material layers. Additionally, the fire barrier may comprise a laminate of a fire resistant material layer that is sandwiched between two layers of a high temperature resistant intumescent material layers.

The fire barrier may also be provided with a high temperature resistant support layer that is attached, bonded, or placed adjacent to the fire resistant WBA.P.3164

layer or intumescent material later. The high temperature resistant support layer is selected from non- woven fabrics, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and cloths. The high temperature resistant support layer may be attached to the fire resistant layer by an attachment means that is selected from tapes, tacks, threads, pins, rivets, stitches, staples, and adhesives, or through a needle-punching process. According to certain embodiments, the high temperature resistant support layer is attached to the high temperature resistant fire barrier layer by means of stitches. When stitching is used to attached the high temperature resistant support layer to the fire resistant material layer or to the high temperature resistant intumescent material layer, a high temperature resistant thread is used in the stitching process.

An architectural expansion joint system is also provided. The expansion joint system comprises two spaced structural members that define a gap therebetween. The fire barrier is attached to said spaced apart architectural members and extends across the expansion joint gap between the architectural members to provide a flame and smoke barrier. Portions of the fire barrier may be affixed to the expansion joint structure by any suitable adhesive or mechanical means. Suitable mechanical means for affixing the fire barrier material to the architectural expansion joint include nails, rivets, screws, staples, tacks, brackets and the like. If brackets are used to affix the fire barrier material to the expansion joint, then the brackets that are utilized to affix the fire barrier to the expansion joint structure may include metal and non-metal brackets. The expansion joint system may optionally further comprise a polymeric moisture barrier. According to certain embodiments, the polymeric moisture barrier may comprise a moisture impervious vinyl sheet. The moisture barrier is disposed above the fire barrier and extends from one architectural member across the expansion joint gap to the opposing architectural member. WBA.P.3164

A method for installing an architectural fire barrier within an architectural expansion joint is also provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a fire barrier having a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, where the major axis the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the second portion and affixing said fire barrier to an expansion joint. If desired, the method optionally includes attaching a fire resistant cover plate across the expansion joint gap. The fire resistant cover plate provides further fire resistance. Additionally, the fire resistant cover plate may be installed to be flush with the top surfaces of the architectural members to provide a smooth transition across the expansion joint gap.

The intumescent sheet material may comprise an intumescent material mat paper, sheet, felt or blanket produced from unexpanded vermiculite, hydrobiotite, expandable graphite, or water-swelling tetrasilicic flourine mica using organic or inorganic binders to provide a desirable degree of strength. The sheet material can be produced by standard paper-making techniques as described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,458,329, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Examples of suitable intumescent sheet materials are disclosed in U. S. Patent Numbers 3,916,057 and 4,305,992, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. Under the conditions of a fire, the intumescent material expands to fill joints and voids to prevent the spread of flames, heat and smoke through the barrier-joint edge area, to other parts of the building structure.

Building movement occurs in response to seismic events, settlement, and thermal expansion and contraction. When installing the fire resistant barrier within the architectural expansion joint, the fire resistant barrier material is not pulled tautly, but contains slack to accommodate for building movement within the expansion joint gap. WBA.P.3164

In another embodiment, the expansion joint system may further comprise a fire resistant expansion joint cover plate to provide a bridge across the expansion joint and to provide additional fire resistance. The cover plate may be attached to the building structure members by any suitable means such as mechanical anchors and adhesives. The material that may comprise the expansion joint cover plate include, but are not limited to, galvanized steel, magnesium, stainless steel, bronze, brass, and aluminum.

The fire resistant barrier can be designed in a variety of sizes, each appropriate for a specific joint design or size. The fire barrier can be designed in a shape that is suitable for a horizontal to horizontal application or for a horizontal to vertical application. The design of the fire resistant barrier may be optimized for expansion joint having nominal openings ranging from 1 inch to 24 inches. The fire barrier may be adapted for floor, wall, ceiling, roof, corner wall, floor to wall, floor to corner wall, wall to ceiling, corner wall to ceiling, and roof to wall applications.

The fire barrier and expansion joint system will now be described in greater detail with reference to the FIGS. It should be noted that the fire barrier and expansion joint system are not intended to be limited to the illustrative embodiments shown in the FIGS.

FIGS 1-3 show an illustrative embodiment of a two-way horizontal to horizontal fiber barrier. FIG 1 shows the two-way fire barrier in an uninstalled condition. Fiber barrier 10 includes side portions 11, 13 and middle or spanning portion 12. Opposite ends of both side portions 11, 13 of the fire barrier 10 are provided with a strip or lane of intumescent material 14-17. The intumescent material strips 14-17 are attached to portions 11, 13 of fire barrier 10 by a high temperature resistant thread. WBA.P.3164

FIGS 2 and 3 show an illustrative embodiment of the two-way fire barrier of FIG 1 installed within an test expansion joint gap. When installed, two-way fire barrier 10 is substantially L-shaped and is utilized to accommodate a 90° directional change within the expansion joint gap. As shown in FIGS 2 and 3, one leg portion of the two way, L-shaped fire barrier extends hi a first direction and the second leg portion extends in a second direction which is different from the first direction. In the installed condition, portions 11, 13 are substantially transverse to portion 12 of fire barrier 10. Once the L-shaped fire barrier 10 is installed into the gap, then customary linear or straight runs of fire barrier material can be attached to opposite ends 18, 19 of fire barrier 10. The linear fire barrier material can be attached to the opposite ends of the two-way fire barrier 10 by splicing techniques known in the art.

FIGS 4-6 show an illustrative embodiment of a three-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier. FIG 4 shows an illustrative embodiment of the three-way fire barrier 20 in an uninstalled condition. Fire barrier 20 includes portion 21 having integral tongue 22. Fire barrier 20 also includes tab portions 23, 24 that are integral with portion 21. Portion 25 is connected to portion 21 via integral with tongue 22 of portion 21, but portion 25 does not include tab portions like tabs 23, 24. In the installed condition, sides 25a, 25b are disposed transverse to portion 25c of portion 25 of fire barrier 20. Also, side portions 29a, 29b of portion 21 are disposed transverse to portion 29c of portion 21 of fire barrier 20.

According to FIGS 5 and 6, fire barrier 20, when installed, is substantially T- shaped and is used to accommodate a T-shaped directional change within the expansion j oint gap .

The three-way, T-shaped fire barrier is provided with strips of intumescent material to provide an effective seal at splice points. According to

FIGS 4 and 6, opposite ends of portion 21 of fire barrier 20 is provided with intumescent material strips 21a, 21b. Opposite ends of portion 25 are provided WBA.P.3164

with intumescent material strips 25d, 25e. Tab portions 23 and 24 are provided with intumescent material strips 23a, 23b and 24a, 24b, respectively.

Once fire barrier 20 is installed into the expansion joint gap, the customary linear fire barrier material is attached to the fire barrier 20. Linear or straight runs of fire barrier material are attached to opposite ends 26, 27 of portion 21 and to end 28 of portion 25.

FIGS 7 and 8 show an illustrative embodiment of a four-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier. FIG 7 shows fire barrier 30 in an uninstalled condition. Fire barrier 30 includes portions 31, 33 that are integrally connected by bridging portion 32. Fire barrier portions 34, 35 are disposed on opposite sides of bridging portion 32. When installed within the expansion joint gap, the four-way fire barrier 30 is four way, substantially +-shaped, and is used to accommodate a + -shaped directional change within the expansion joint gap.

In the installed condition, side portions 31a, 31b are disposed transverse to portion 31c of portion 31 of fire barrier 30. Side portions 33a, 33b are disposed transverse to portion 33c of portion 33 of fire barrier 30. Side portions 34a, 34b are disposed transverse to portion 34c of portion 34 of fire barrier 30. Side portions 35a, 35b are disposed transverse to portion 35c of portion 35 of fire barrier 30. Standard linear or straight runs of fire barrier material are spliced to fire barrier 30 at end 36 of portion 31, end 37 of portion 33, end 38 of portion 34, and end 39 of portion 35.

While the present invention has been described above in connection with certain embodiments, as shown in the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Further, all embodiments WBA.P.3164

disclosed are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments of the invention may be combined to provide the desired characteristics. Variations can be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single described embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the attached claims.

Claims

WBA.P.3164CLAIMS:

1. A fire barrier for installation in an architectural expansion joint gap, the fire barrier when installed in the expansion joint, comprises: a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis; and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, wherein said major axis of said first portion is substantially perpendicular to said major axis of said second portion.

2. The fire barrier of claim 1, wherein said fire barrier is a two-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier.

3. The fire barrier of claim 2, wherein said two-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier is substantially L-shaped.

4. The fire barrier of claim 1, wherein said fire barrier is a two-way horizontal to vertical fire barrier.

5. The fire barrier of claim 4, wherein said two-way horizontal to vertical fire barrier is substantially L-shaped.

6. The fire barrier of claim 1, wherein said fire barrier is a three-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier.

7. The fire barrier of claim 6, wherein said three-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier is substantially T-shaped.

8. The fire barrier of claim 1, wherein said fire barrier is a four- way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier. WBA.P.3164

9. The fire barrier of any of claims 1-8, wherein said fire barrier comprises at least one fire resistant material layer.

10. The fire barrier of claim 1, wherein said fire barrier comprises a laminate of at least one fire resistant material layer and at least one high temperature resistant intumescent layer.

11. The fire barrier of claims 9 or 10, wherein said fire resistant material layer is selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, non- woven fabrics, papers, blankets, and felts.

12. The fire barrier of claim 11, wherein said fire resistant material layer is a blanket.

13. The fire barrier of claim 12, wherein said blanket comprises inorganic fibers.

14. The fire barrier of claim 13, wherein said inorganic fibers are selected from the group consisting of ceramic fibers and high temperature resistant glass fibers.

15. The fire barrier of claim 14, wherein said ceramic fibers are selected from alumina fibers, alumino-silicate fibers, and mixtures thereof.

16. The fire barrier of claim 10, wherein said high temperature resistant intumescent layer is selected from the group consisting of blankets, mats, papers, and felts.

17. The fire barrier of claim 16, wherein said high temperature resistant intumescent layer is a paper. WBA.P.3164

18. The fire barrier of claim 16, wherein said high temperature resistant intumescent layer is a blanket.

19. The fire barrier of claim 10, wherein said intumescent layer comprises a blend of fibers, an intumescent agent, and a binder.

20. The fire barrier of any of claims 1-19, wherein said fire barrier further comprises a high temperature resistant support layer attached to said fire resistant layer.

21. The fire barrier of claim 20, wherein said high temperature resistant support layer is attached to at least one of said fire resistant layer and said high temperature resistant intumescent layer by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of tape, tacks, rivets, stitches, staples and adhesives.

22. The fire barrier of claim 21, wherein said high temperature resistant support layer is attached to at least one of said high temperature resistant fire barrier and said high temperature resistant intumescent layer by stitches.

23. The fire barrier of claim 21, wherein said high temperature resistant support layer is attached to said fire resistant materials layer by staples.

24. The fire barrier of any of claims 20-23, wherein said high temperature resistant support layer is selected from non- woven fabrics, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and cloths.

25. The fire barrier of any of claims 1-24, wherein said fire barrier further comprises a polymeric moisture barrier. WBA.P.3164

26. The fire barrier of claim 25, wherein said polymeric moisture barrier comprises a vinyl sheet.

27. An architectural expansion joint system comprising: two spaced structural members defining a gap therebetween; and a fire barrier installed in the gap between said spaced apart members, said fire barrier, when installed, comprising a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, wherein said major axis of said first portion is substantially perpendicular to said major axis of said second portion.

28. The expansion joint of claim 27, wherein said fire barrier is a two-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier.

29. The expansion joint of claim 28, wherein said two-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier is substantially L-shaped.

30. The expansion joint of claim 27, wherein said fire barrier is a two-way horizontal to vertical fire barrier.

31. The expansion joint of claim 30, wherein said two-way horizontal to vertical fire barrier is substantially L-shaped.

32. The expansion joint of claim 27, wherein said fire barrier is a three-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier.

33. The expansion joint of claim 32, wherein said three-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier is substantially T-shaped. WBA.P.3164

34. The expansion joint of claim 27, wherein said fire barrier is a four-way horizontal to horizontal fire barrier.

35. The fire barrier of any of claims 27-34, wherein said fire barrier comprises at least one fire resistant material layer.

36. The expansion joint of claim 27, wherein said fire barrier comprises a laminate of at least one fire resistant material layer and at least one high temperature resistant intumescent layer.

37. The expansion joint of claim 35 or 36, wherein said fire resistant material layer is selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, non- woven fabrics, papers, blankets, and felts.

38. The expansion joint of claim 35, wherein said fire resistant material layer is a blanket.

39. The expansion joint of claim 38, wherein said blanket comprises inorganic fibers.

40. The expansion joint of claim 39, wherein said inorganic fibers are selected from the group consisting of ceramic fibers and high temperature resistant glass fibers.

41. The expansion joint of claim 40, wherein said ceramic fibers are selected from alumina fibers, alumino-silicate fibers, and mixtures thereof.

42. The expansion joint of claim 36, wherein said high temperature resistant intumescent layer is selected from the group consisting of blankets, mats, papers, and felts. WBA.P.3164

43. The expansion joint of claim 42, wherein said high temperature resistant intumescent layer is a paper.

44. The expansion joint of claim 42, wherein said high temperature resistant intumescent layer is a blanket.

45. The expansion joint of claim 36, wherein said intumescent layer comprises a blend of fibers, an intumescent agent, and a binder.

46. The expansion joint of any of claims 27-45, wherein said fire barrier further comprises a high temperature resistant support layer attached to said fire resistant layer.

47. The expansion joint of claim 46, wherein said high temperature resistant support layer is attached to at least one of said fire resistant layer and said high temperature resistant intumescent layer by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of tape, tacks, rivets, stitches, staples and adhesives.

48. The expansion joint of claim 47, wherein said high temperature resistant support layer is attached to at least one of said high temperature resistant fire barrier and said high temperature resistant intumescent layer by stitches.

49. The expansion joint of claim 47, wherein said high temperature resistant support layer is attached to said fire resistant materials layer by staples.

50. The expansion joint of any of claims 47-49, wherein said high temperature resistant support layer is selected from non- woven fabrics, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and cloths. WBA.P.3164

51. The expansion joint of any of claims 27-50, wherein said fire barrier further comprises a polymeric moisture barrier.

52. The expansion joint of claim 51, wherein said polymeric moisture barrier comprises a vinyl sheet.

53. A fire barrier for installation in an architectural expansion joint, when installed, comprises: a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis; and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, wherein said major axis of said first portion is disposed at an angle that is greater than 0° with respect to said major axis of said second portion.

54. A method for installing an architectural fire barrier comprising: providing a fire barrier and affixing said fire barrier to an expansion joint, said fire barrier, when affixed to said expansion joint, comprises a first portion having a major axis and a minor axis and a second portion having a major axis and minor axis, wherein said major axis of said first portion is substantially perpendicular to said major axis of said second portion.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising attaching a cover plate across the expansion joint gap.