Fire Safety

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Fire Safety

Steel is noncombustible, so it does not contribute to the ignition of fires, the spread of fires, or the size and severity of fires, thus reducing risks to occupants, firefighters and property/business owners.
Unprotected steel frames can be used in a wide range of building occupancies and sizes in accordance with building codes.
For larger and higher buildings, fire resistance rated designs for steel building elements and systems are available with fire resistance ratings of up to four hours using a broad variety of fire protection materials, including concrete, masonry, gypsum board, mineral and ceramic fire boards and blankets, sprayed fire resistant materials (SFRM) and intumescent coatings.
Fire resistance rated designs are available for unprotected steel deck with concrete topping floor systems.
Fire resistance rated designs are available for unprotected concrete-filled hollow steel section (HSS) columns.
Detailed design guidance for the selection of fire resistance rated designs is available from:
The same fire protection thickness for structural steel-framed deck/concrete floor ratings as found in UL Design No. D982 is now available in either restrained or unrestrained conditions, according to tests performed at Underwriters Laboratories in 2013. Read more at "Restrained or Unrestrained?" Modern Steel Construction, Sept. 2013.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in Canada has implemented load restrictions on structural steel beams in its fire tests for several years. However, the UL has not provided clear load restriction guidelines that are applicable to the U.S. marketplace. Clarification on how to apply load restrictions in the U.S. and suggested solutions for using UL Designs for fire protection with today's steel design codes are available. Read more at "UL Design Considerations," Modern Steel Construction, October 2015.

Latest News

Free Online Student/Faculty Steel Bridge Live Lecture Series to be Held February 23 - March 11, 2021

January 19, 2021

The six-part live-lecture educational series will cover the many aspects of designing, fabricating and constructing steel bridges.

CFSEI to Host Webinar on "Frequently Misunderstood Wind Load Topics for Cold-Formed Steel Structures" on February 4, 2021

January 14, 2021

The webinar is designed for architects, engineers, building officials and contractors; it awards 1.5 PDHs.

Steel Industry Celebrates the Accomplishments and Legacy of the CCFSS While Transitioning to the Future

January 12, 2021

The Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures (CCFSS) is closing its doors after 30 years, but its programs will continue under the management of various sponsoring organizations.

AISI Updates Six Cold-Formed Steel Design Standards

January 5, 2021

The standards are available for free download at https://www.cfsei.org/free-aisi-standards.

Steel Press-Brake-Formed Tub Girder System Selected as 2021 AASHTO Innovation Initiative Focus Technology

December 22, 2020

During 2021, the AASHTO Innovation Initiative will invest time and resources to accelerate the adoption of the PBTG system to improve the U.S. infrastructure.