ETA is a product-based document i.e., ETAs are differentiated based on each product instead of the application system specific to site. Since the EN standards for different applications like penetrations, linear joints and perimeter joints are different, EOTA issues a separate ETA for each relevant application for every product. For firestopping products (Hilti) ETAs contain the field of application based on EN testing. 

• A product may have different ETAs for linear joints, perimeter joints and penetration applications 
• ETA shall be a self-sufficient document containing every piece of information regarding a product’s performance in the European market 
• ETA is a result of  tests and their interpolation 

Figure 1 Test standards corresponding to different applications 

Thus, as a first step, you need to identify a suitable type of product for the required type of penetrant. Then you can search for the corresponding ETA and extract all the required information. The most appropriate product can then be selected from HILTI’s versatile portfolio for all applications. 

Figure 2 Possible HILTI portfolio corresponding to each application type 

 All ETAs for HILTI products can be found at HOL (Hilti Online) for your respective European market or where markets follow EN standards. You can navigate through the Firestop category under the ‘products’ tab. You then select a product and look for technical documents, like shown in Fig. 3  

 Figure 3 Steps to access approved ETA on HOL 

The front page on an ETA contains information like ETA no. with issuance date, the corresponding product and its manufacturing plant, no. of pages in the ETA itself and EAD no. with issuance date and version as reference. 

The documents begin by explaining the composition and construction of all possible variants of the product along with the list of ancillary products like mineral wool, sealant etc. An ETA also mentions the ancillary product manufacturer to maintain compliance. It clearly defines the intended use of the product, associated characteristics, and their performance results along with reference methods used to assess them.  

This is followed by Annex-A/1, mentioning the range of all supporting base materials, abbreviations used in the document, installation guidelines and information on how to completely seal the product for all variants with different base materials. This is represented through different design variations which were tested. (Please note for any variation in the seal design, one should get an Engineering Judgement by the product manufacturer). 

Annex-A/1 also lists all the penetrating services possible along with parameters like material, insulation coating, size range and corresponding product type. It contains the arrangement criteria i.e. minimum distance required between two products in case of multiple openings and explains different characteristics of the product like the ability to re-penetrate, water resistance, sound/acoustics insulation etc. 

The HILTI portfolio gets tested for additional attributes, which are in turn included in ETAs like: 

Annex-B/2 is mostly in a tabular form, making it easy to comprehend. It contains all possible fire ratings corresponding to all tested combinations of base material, arrangement/seal type and penetrant variations with product variations. All these combinations are listed using multiple tables. 

It considers different insulation types, such as continued and interrupted, along with different materials. It also mentions the maximum quantity of product that can be used to attain the maximum fire rating. 

EI 180-C/U  180 min. of both Fire and Temp./Insulation rating 

ETA has a defined nomenclature to describe different type of rating. Fire and Temperature are the most used. Annex-C/3 lists all the reference standards used to develop the testing procedure. Please keep in mind that the information covered in different annexes is interchangeable. Also, the number of annexes may vary from ETA to ETA. 

HILTI periodically adds various test results through revisions in the ETA to ensure compliance to standards and to maintain market leadership. All product ETAs are listed under “Technical documents” on Hilti Online (HOL). HILTI has also launched a firestop ETA selector in many European countries which can help you narrow down HILTI products suitable for your requirements. 

If you would like to know more about HILTI and what we can offer you, please visit the following pages: 

1. Article- DoP and CE markings 
2. Article- What is an ETA? 
3. Visit our Hilti online shop to see what Firestop products are available now