Installing fire protection to structural steelwork (GG 85)
Steel-framed buildings now (2017) account for 66% of the market in multi-storey non-domestic buildings and 88.5% of the market in single-storey non-domestic buildings in the UK. In 1981, fire protection accounted for 31% of the cost of structural steelwork, but by 2007, this was just 17%.
During this period, thin-film intumescent coatings came to dominate the market. These are water-based or solvent based paint like materials that expand when heated to form a ‘char’ which protects steel in the event of fire. The performance of this, and other forms of protection, such as insulating boards or sprayed protection, is dependent on the quality of the installation.
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries. On 3 May 2017, BRE published, Installing fire protection to structural steelwork (GG 85) written by Tom Lennon, Ian Stewart and Andy Russell.
The 8 page Good Building Guide addresses the importance of correctly installing passive and reactive fire protection to structural steelwork to ensure expected performance criteria are achieved in the event of a fire. It identifies key issues for specifiers, manufacturers, contractors and approval authorities and includes references to more comprehensive sources of information.
The guide highlights the importance of adequate testing, quality, installation and maintenance as well as the critical role played by third-party certification schemes.
Its contents includes:
- Introduction.
- Structural steel in fire.
- Regulatory requirements.
- Forms of passive and reactive fire protection to structural steelwork.
- Installation.
- Test, assessment and certification requirements.
- Third-party certification.
- Fire risk assessment.
- Liaison between all parties.
- Checklist.
- Summary.
- References.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Approved document B.
- BS 9999.
- Concrete vs. steel.
- Fire and rescue service.
- Fire authority.
- Fire detection and alarm system.
- Fire prevention on construction sites.
- Fire protection engineering.
- Fire safety design.
- Guidance for construction quality management professionals: Structural Steelwork.
- Intumescent coatings.
- Metal fabrication.
- Passive and reactive fire protection to structural steel (IP 6 12).
- Steel construction floor vibration
- Steel reinforcement
- Steel.
- Steel-concrete composite structures
- Structural steel
- The causes of false fire alarms in buildings.
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- The role of codes, standards and approvals in delivering fire safety.
Featured articles and news
What it is and how to use it.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.