1.4 FAQs

1. What is the importance of fire concept in a steel building design?

A fire resistance concept should be an integral part of a steel building's design and must be considered throughout the entire design and construction process. Fire-safe structural performance periods as described in the specific code requirements must be vitally addressed.

2. What is the main objective in creating a fire resistant structural design?

The main purpose of fire safety for a building is to reduce the risk of both life and property losses by using the effective design and construction measures. Although the probability of building fire damage cannot be completely eliminated, building fire safety can be attained at an acceptable minimized risk level by using some proper design features.

3. What are the issues that a steel building designer must consider in structural fire design?

A steel building designer must consider:

  • The fire development scenario and spread of a fire in the building.
  • Possible building occupants and their safe evacuation under a fire threat.
  • Fire warning systems and evacuation procedures.
  • Ventilation conditions in the building under fire.
  • Structural response of building materials against fire effect.
  • Related fire code requirements on the building design

4. What are the fire resistance methods that can be used for a steel building structural fire design?

There are two types of fire resistance systems: active and passive. Examples of active fire resistance are water sprinkler systems and water filled structural member systems. Integrated structural members, insulating boards, sprayed coatings, intumescent coatings, suspended ceilings, concrete covers and composite member protections are all examples of passive fire resistance systems.

5. What is the behaviour of structural steel under a fire effect?

Structural steel loses strength and stiffness at high temperature levels, like any other building materials. Although steel is a non-combustible material, it has a high heat conducting value, which adversely affects the structural performance during fire exposure. The structural strength of steel decreases by as much as half at temperature of 600 degrees Celsius. That is why it is important to address an effective steel building fire design.

1.5 Related References and Fire Safety Codes

  • EN 1993-1-2 Eurocode 3 - Design of Steel Structures - Structural Fire Design.
  • EN 1994-1-2 Design of Composite Structures - Structural Fire Design.
  • worldsteel Publication, "International Fire Engineering Design for Steel Structures", 1993
  • ECCS Publication, "Calculation of the Fire Resistance of Centrally Loaded Composite Steel-Concrete Columns Exposed to the Standard Fire", Publication 55, 1988.
  • ECCS Publication, "Calculation of the Fire Resistance of Composite Concrete Slabs with Profiled Steel Sheet Exposed to the Standard Fire", 1984.
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