Specifying Passive Fire Protection for Structural Steel: A Comprehensive Guide

This is a sponsored blog post in partnership with Promat.

Why is Fire Protection for Structural Steel Important?

While steel is a non-combustible material, it can lose its structural integrity when exposed to high temperatures during a fire. This can lead to catastrophic consequences, including building collapse. The Building Safety Act places significant responsibility on Principal Designers to ensure fire safety, making it essential to specify the right fire protection solutions for structural steel.

Key Parameters to Consider When Specifying Fire Protection

Structural steel begins to lose its load-bearing capacity at temperatures between 350°C and 700°C. To determine the level of fire protection required, the following factors must be considered:  

• Section factors
• Limiting temperatures 
• Specific requirements of each building element

Promat’s fire protection boards are available in various thicknesses, each corresponding to specific levels of protection for different limiting temperatures and section factors. This makes it easier to specify compliant solutions for standard conditions.  

Promat Fire Protection Boards: What’s Available?

Promat offers a range of fire protection boards designed to meet diverse project requirements:  

• Provides up to 60 minutes of fire protection. 
• Weatherproof for up to six months, offering flexibility in construction schedules. 
• Highly workable, making it a versatile construction material.  

• A premium product offering fire protection from 30 to 240 minutes for limiting steel temperatures of up to 750°C.  
• Lightweight and thinner than other fire-resistant materials, maximizing usable space.  

• Delivers up to 120 minutes of fire protection.  
• High-strength, making it ideal for protecting mezzanine floors and warehouse applications.  

Special Considerations for Steel in Compartmentation

Fire protection becomes more complex when steelwork runs along compartment lines. Current regulations must balance preventing fire spread with maintaining structural integrity. Intumescent paints may not always provide sufficient protection in these scenarios, making it essential to use robust fire protection boards like those from Promat.  

Other Scenarios Requiring Attention 

• FS Interfaces and Partition Connections: These may carry significant loads and require careful assessment due to the absence of specific test standards for all scenarios.  
• Brackets and Connections: ASFP Advisory Note 21 guidelines recommend limiting penetrations of fire protective encasement and aligning bracket connections with board joints to minimize gaps.  
• Cellular Beams: These typically fail at lower temperatures than solid beams and require detailed structural assessments under both ambient and fire conditions.  
  
  

Ensuring Compliance with Fire Protection Solutions

Compliance hinges on understanding the relationship between section factors, limiting temperatures, and required protection levels. Early engagement with fire protection specialists, like those at Promat, is crucial—especially for non-standard applications.  

Promat conducts third-party verified testing, including bespoke tests for specific applications such as compartmentation requirements, interface details, and cellular beam protection systems.  

Technical Support and Expertise 

Promat’s technical specialists are available to provide guidance and ensure potential issues are addressed at the design stage. Their teams are qualified to, or working towards, the IFE Level 3 qualification in Passive Fire Protection. Additionally, Promat offers training courses to support competence in applying passive fire protection solutions.  

Learn More About Protecting Structural Steel 

For more detailed information, download Promat’s Guide to Protecting Structural Steel. At GO Interiors, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of fire protection and ensure your projects meet the highest safety standards.  

By partnering with Promat, GO Interiors ensures that you have access to industry-leading fire protection materials and expertise. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and discover how we can support your fire safety goals.  

GO Interiors – Your Trusted Partner in Fire Protection Solutions.