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

STI to Host "Fire Protection of Hollow Structural Sections" Webinar on Oct. 4

September 25, 2018

The webinar will begin at 11 a.m. CDT and includes 1 AIA-accredited PDH per registrant.

Steel Joist Institute to Host Joists 101 Webinar on September 19

September 12, 2018

The webinar “Joists 101: Steel Joists and Joist Girders” will be held on September 19 from 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. EDT with a 15-minute Q&A session, and awards 1.5 PDHs.

AISI Standards Council Approves Formation of New Subcommittee on Composite Member Design and Seeks Experts to Participate

September 11, 2018

The objective of the subcommittee is to develop and maintain design provisions for composite assemblies consisting of cold-formed steel members and concrete, with membership open to those who may directly or materially be affected by the provisions to be developed.

Living in the Danger Zone: MRA Cites Rising Interest in Wildfire Protection Building and Remodeling Practices

September 10, 2018

After a disastrous fire season, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) is reporting greater interest from homeowners in how to prepare and make their homes “ignition resistant,” especially in western regions.

MCA Publishes New White Paper About Insulated Metal Wall Panels for Fire Safety

September 5, 2018

This document is available for free download and contains detailed information concerning the efficacy of insulated metal panels in the context of insulation and fire safety requirements in the U.S. and other countries.