Structural Fire Protection

Structural Fire Protection is a method of passive fire protection which refers to a number of areas in fire safety including the protection of structural steel. In order to protect the integrity of steel structure and the heat it would inevitably strain under in a fire, there are a number of methods used in the industry. 

One of these methods includes intumescent coatings (thick and thin) which is similar to paint in application and in how it looks. The difference is the reaction intumescent coating has in intense heat which is to expand, therefore, protecting the integrity of the steelwork.  Intumescent coatings can provide up to 120 minutes of fire protection, and is available in water and solvent based applications.

Other methods include:

• Boards
• Sprays
• Flexible blanket systems
• Concrete encasement
• Block infilled columns
• Shelf angle floor beams
• Slim floor beams
• Web infilled columns

Advice from the Experts

Depending on the specifications of your steel structure, will depend on which of these methods, or even combination of which would be best suitable. ‘Heavier’ steel demands for less fire defence than ‘lighter’ steel when exposed to fire. This is just one of the reasons that the methods of fire protection needs to be unique to the requirements of the steel itself. For more information and advice on what structural fire protection your need contact our specialist team today.