Halfen HIT - Insulated Balcony Connection - Reed Construction Data

HALFEN HIT – INSULATED BALCONY CONNECTION 

CONCRETE 

HIT 08


Introduction 

Thermal bridging problems can lead to mold growth, condensation and 

higher utility costs 

Climate change, the cost of energy, and mold growth are 

issues increasingly directing building design. One of the related 

environmental building design issues is thermal bridging, where 

the internal building environment becomes compromised due to 

a thermal connection (or ‘‘bridge’’) with the building exterior. 

Thermal bridge conditions are commonly created by concrete 

balconies and fi n walls. In these situations the concrete slabs and 

walls of the structure are extended through the building façade 

eff ectively making a thermal connection between the exterior 

and interior of the building. In hot weather this can lead to high 

energy costs as air conditioning tries to compensate for the warm 

areas created within interior structure. 

The HIT solution 

Simple to install, HIT insulated connections are designed to 

minimize thermal bridging at balconies and fi n walls. 

They are available for diff erent concrete thicknesses and diff erent 

loading conditions. Integral fi re protection is also available. 

Typical HALFEN HIT insulated connections 

2 

Uninsulated balcony 

In cold weather thermal bridging can lead to a cooling of areas 

of the interior structure leading to following areas of concern 

for designers: 

▪ Risk of interior mold growth 

▪ Risk of condensation 

▪ Risk of concrete cracking under thermal movement 

▪ High energy costs 

▪ High CO2 emissions 

▪ Increased lifetime building maintenance costs 

Balcony with HIT element 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

▪ 

5º F 

68º F 5º F 

68º F 

Defi nite thermal separation between fl oor slab and balcony 

Signifi cantly reduced risk of interior mold growth 

Signifi cantly reduced risk of condensation 

Reduced risk of concrete cracking 

Reduced energy costs 

Reduced CO2 emissions 

Reduced lifetime building maintenance costs


Contents – HIT Solutions for each condition 

Simple cantilever & propped balconies page 4 / 5 

➊ HIT-BX 

➋ HIT-BX-MOD 

➌ HIT-BX-ECK 

➍ HIT-BF 

➎ HIT-BF-MOD 

➏ HIT-BQ 

➐ HIT-BX±Q 

➑ HIT-BD 

Stepped cantilever balconies and privacy fin walls page 6 

➊ HIT-BX-HV 

➋ HIT-BF-HV 

➌ HIT-BX-BH 

➍ HIT-BF-BH 

➎ HIT-WT 

balcony 

Balcony 

HIT-BX-HV 

HIT-BF-HV 

HIT-BX-BH 

HIT-BF-BH 

floor slab 

Floor slab 

Other typical applications page 7 

➊ HIT-OT 

➋ HIT-FT 

➌ HIT-AT 

➍ HIT-BX-WU / HIT-BF-WU 

➊ ➋ ➍ ➎ ➌ ➐ 

HIT-BX HIT-BX-MOD 

balcony 

➊ ➋ ➍ ➎ ➊ ➐ ➋ 

corbel 

balcony 

HIT-OT 

parapet 

n× HIT-BX-MOD 

Further design considerations page 8 

Features and benefits page 9 

Picture gallery page 10 

HIT-FT 

HIT-BX 

HIT-BX-BH* 

or 

HIT-BX-HV* 

HIT-BX-MOD 

➑ ➊ ➋ ➌ ➏ 

➊ ➋ ➊ ➌ 

➌ ➍ 

HIT-BX / HIT-BF HIT-BX ±Q 

HIT-BD 

balcony 

* Also available in designation 

HIT-BF -BH/-HV. For more 

information see page 4. 

parapet 

HIT-AT 

floor slab 

floor slab 

HIT-BX-WU 

HIT-BF-WU 

➊ ➋ ➌ 

floor slab 

➍ 

HIT-BX-ECK 

➎ 

HIT-BQ HIT-BQ 

balcony 

fl oor slab 

HIT fl oor to balcony connection units 

privacy wall 

balcony 

walkway 

privacy wall 

wall 

3


Simple cantilever and propped balconies 

Simple cantilever and propped balconies produce diff erent load 

requirements depending on the design. The types of HIT insulated 

connectors illustrated in this section are the most common 

confi gurations to accommodate these variations. 

However, the HIT platform is extremely adaptable so design 

changes are easy to make on a project basis in consultation 

with HALFEN. 

4 

Selection of product types HIT-BX, HIT-BX-MOD, HIT-BF & HIT-BF-MOD 

HIT-BX and HIT-BX-MOD 

HIT-BX standard length 1000 mm (39-3/8“) 

HIT-BX-MOD standard length 200 mm (8“) 

HIT-BF and HIT-BF-MOD 

HIT-BF standard length 1000 mm (39-3/8“) 

HIT-BX-MOD standard length 200 mm (8“) 


HIT-BD standard length 1000 mm (39-3/8“) 

HIT-BX and HIT-BX-MOD are the most commonly used types. 

They are suitable for cantilever balconies in several design 

confi gurations including the two examples illustrated below. 

moment & shear 

HIT-BX HIT-BX-MOD 

balcony 

HIT-BX and HIT-BX-MOD are suitable for load conditions 

with the adjacent shear and moment vectors. 

balcony 

cavity wall 

n× HIT-BX-MOD 

balcony 

HIT-BF / HIT-BF-MOD are supplied with a separated upper and 

lower element shown in blue in the illustration below. They are 

typically used for cantilever balconies in similar load applications 

to types HIT-BX & HIT-BX-MOD, but are used in situations where 

it is more convenient to install in two stages. These situations 

include certain types of precast construction, and designs with 

highly concentrated reinforcement. 


Shear and moment 

vectors 

slab 

HIT-BF and HIT-BF-MOD 

upper element 

HIT lower element 

balcony cavity wall slab 

HIT-BD units are capable of supporting both positive and 

negative moment and shear loads. They are typically used 

in tall structures where high windloads can exceed the self 

weight of the balcony. 


Shear and moment 

vectors 



balcony slab


Simple cantilever and propped balconies 

Selection of product types HIT-BX-ECK, HIT-BQ & HIT-±BQ 


Standard HIT external corner unit 

Length = 680 mm (26 - 3/4’’) 

Height = 180 mm - 250 mm (7’’- 10’’) 

HIT-BQ 

Standard HIT unit 

Length = 1000 mm (39-3/8") 

HIT-±BQ 


Length = 1000 mm (39-3/8’’) 

HIT-BX-ECK units are used at wrap-around external 

corners. In this example they are used in conjunction with 

HIT-BX- MOD and HIT-BX units. 


moment and 

shear vectors 

Propped balconies can induce varying types of shear load on the 

connection. HIT-±BQ units are normally used in conditions with 

both positive and negative shear loads. HIT-BQ units are normally 

used at propped balconies in simple shear load conditions. 

shear 

shear 

balcony slab 

shear vector 

balcony 

HIT-BQ HIT-BQ 

standard 

unit 

shear vectors 


HIT-BQ 

HIT-±BQ 

HIT-BX-MOD 

balcony 


cavity wall slab 

balcony cavity wall slab 

HIT-±BQ HIT-±BQ 

standard 

unit 

balcony 

balcony 

cut 

unit 

cut 

unit 

cavity 

wall 

5


Stepped cantilever balconies and privacy fin walls 

6 

Selection of product types HIT-BX-HV, HIT-BX-BH, HIT-BF-HV, HIT-BF-BH 



Length = 1000 mm (39-3/8") 



Length = 1000 mm (39-3/8") 

HIT-WT 


Length = 150 - 250 mm (6’’ - 10’’) 

Height = 1500 - 3500 mm (53’’ - 138’’) 

Section of wall at HIT-WT 

H 

Concrete Concrete 

inside outside 

L 

HIT-BX-HV and HIT-BX-BH units are normally used for connections 

at stepped cantilever balconies with moment and positive 

shear loads. HIT-BX-HV types are used when the level of the 

balcony is set lower than the fl oor slab. HIT-BX-BH types are used 

when the level of the balcony is set higher than the fl oor slab. 



Moment and 

shear vectors 


Moment and 

shear vectors 


3-1/2" - 7-1/2" 

balcony 

balcony 

If required, HIT-BX-HV 

and HIT-BX-BH units are also 

available as two-part assemblies 

under the sales codes HIT-BF-HV 

and HIT-BF-BH. 

cavity 

wall 

8-3/4" min. 

cavity 

wall 

8-3/4" min. 

HIT- WT units are normally used for connecting projecting 

concrete walls or vertical fi ns. The walls can either be associated 

with the balcony as shown below or independent vertical 

concrete features. 

Plan of application example 

privacy wall 

fl oor slab 

HIT fl oor to balcony connection units 

balcony 

privacy wall 

slab 

10cm BH10 

15cm BH15 

4" or 6" 

HIT BX/BF-HV 

or 

HIT-BX/BF-BH 

slab 

section 

left


Other typical HIT applications 

Selection of product types HIT-OT, HIT-FT HIT-AT, HIT-BX / BF-WO, HIT-BX / BF-WU 

Corbels and parapets 

HIT-OT 


Length = 300 mm (12") 

HIT-FT 


Length = 300 mm (12") 

HIT-AT 


Length = 300 mm (12") 

Canopies and walkways 

HIT-BX-WO 


Length = 1000 mm (39-3/8") 



Length = 1000 mm (39-3/8") 

corbel cavity wall slab 

parapet cavity wall slab 

slab 

canopy or 

walkway 

canopy or 

walkway 

parapet 

wall 

8-3/4" min. 

wall 

8-3/4" min. 

slab 

Normal insulation between HIT units 

corbel 

HIT-OT HIT-OT HIT-OT 

slab 


parapet 

HIT-FT HIT-FT HIT-FT 

slab 


parapet 

HIT-AT HIT-AT HIT-AT 

wall 

HIT-BX-WO 

canopy or walkway 

wall 


canopy or walkway 

7


Further design considerations 

8 

Dew point, fire protection, and noise reduction 

Dew point 

To reduce the possibility of mold and the development of 

condensation the temperature of all surfaces within the living 

space have to be kept above the dew point. The dew point 

temperature varies according to the temperature and relative 

humidity of the living space. In the example indicated in the 

graph the dew point occurs at 54º F when the room 

temperature is 68º F and the humidity is 60 %. 

HIT Insulated Balcony Connections play an important role in 

enabling the temperature of the internal structure to be 

maintained above the dew point, but the insulation values of 

other external construction materials also have to be carefully 

considered for effi cient design. HALFEN design staff will be 

pleased to assist in this assessment. 

Fire protection 

HIT Insulated Balcony Connections are available with or 

without fi re protection board. Ninety minute or two hour fi re 

protection designs are available, and it is recommended that 

these designs are developed in consultation with HALFEN 

design staff . 

Sound reduction 

HIT Insulated Balcony Connections can contribute to sound 

reduction in sensitive areas such as walkways. Independent 

tests according to international standards such as ISO 140 and 

ISO 717 have been performed on a number of HIT types. 

The sound insulation properties vary according to the type and 

dimensions of the HIT product selected, but typical sound 

reduction is in the region of 11 dB. HALFEN design staff will be 

pleased to assist in assessing noise reduction of HIT products 

on a project basis. 

Dew point diagram 

Dew point temperature [°F] 

68 

64 

61 

57 

54 

50 

46 

43 

Fire protection 

boards 

Room temperature 77°F 



Relative humidity in the room 

Sound reduction test report for HIT Type BX-12/10-20


Features and benefits 

Reasons to select the HIT system for your next design 

Comprehensive engineering support 

HALFEN engineers will be pleased to assist with 

detailed design, and product selection to suit the 

requirements of each project. 

Wide range of products 

Many versions of HIT Insulated Balcony Connections 

can be provided. The range enables a great variety of 

concrete thicknesses, shapes, and load confi gurations 

to be safely supported. 

Long term energy savings 

Concrete elements with HIT units can be 10 to 15 times 

more thermally effi cient than normal concrete. 

Long term maintenance savings 

Less damage from condensation and mold growth 

produces lower maintenance costs. 

Health benefi ts 

Reducing condensation and mold growth produces a 

healthier environment for the building occupants. 

Environmental Benefi ts 

Heat emissions from buildings and the release of carbon 

dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels used to heat and cool 

them are contributing factors to climate change. HIT 

Insulated Balcony Connections can contribute to a reduction 

in the environmental impact. 

$➔$ 

$➔$ 

9


Picture gallery 

Past projects that have used the HIT System illustrating the range of application 

10

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in certain countries? 

Our website provides you with 

all the necessary news and facts: 

everything about us and our 

international subsidiaries or partners. 

Please contact us at: 

www.halfen.com 

11

CONTACT HALFEN WORLDWIDE 

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and in further 32 countries by distributors worldwide. Please contact us: www.halfen.com 

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applies also to copying in extracts. 

R - 050 - 07/08 - US 1.000 07/08

Halfen HIT - Insulated Balcony Connection - Reed Construction Data

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