The Building Regulations require certain elements of structure to have fire resistance for a specified minimum period of time. The amount of fire protection to achieve this depends on the following:
- Duration of fire resistance specified
- Type of protection used
- Perimeter of the steel section exposed to fire
- Shape and size of the steel section
TYPES OF STEEL PROTECTION
Calcium silicate board / Magnesium silicate board will be used to clad the steel beams columns which need to be protected from Fire. Various types of calculations need to be done to determine specifications of the construction system.
Tests in accordance with BS 476 : Part 21 have been performed on loaded beams and columns clad with fire protection material. Steel surface temperatures are monitored with thermocouples to assess the performance of the cladding, since steel fully stressed in accordance with BS 449 or BS 5950, Part 1, begins to lose its design margin of safety at temperatures around 550°C.
Intumscent coating is thin film pain(is it pain or plain) composition that reacts to heat in a fire situation, rapidly expanding to form an insulating foamed char many times the original thickness. The char isolates the steel sections thus reduces the rate of temperature increase and prolongs the load bearing capacity of the section. This allows the designer to use the natural look of steel to enhance the appearance of the structure. The thin film applications increase the opportunities for both Architects and Engineers to be more flexible in design strategies and this can be applied internally and externally. A top coat may not necessarily be required for international application for fire protection purpose.
Spray for fire protection system which restricts the effects of cellulosic fire on building elements and whole structures. In addition, complementary systems are also available to improve the thermal and acoustic performance of structures.
