An improved fire blanket for use in expansion joints of buildings to retard the movement of fire and smoke. The invention permits movement of the joint without damaging or otherwise compromising the fire-retardant properties of the barrier. This movement may occur when the width of the joint changes due to expansion or contraction of the joint or when one side of the joint moves relative to the other along the length, or longitudinal axis, of the joint. The expansion and contraction introduce compressive and tensile loads and the relative movement along the length of the joint introduces shear loads. The invention prevents such compressive/tensile and shear loads from being introduced into the assembly and impacting its fire-retardant capabilities.