Important Fire Considerations
Fire protection is one of the most important aspects of any building design. In the event of fire the structural integrity of the building is critical to allow the safe evacuation of the premises and retain an environment that is as safe as possible for any emergency services personnel who are tackling the incident.
Certain areas surrounding the issue can be fairly complex, which can lead to some confusion when considering what is acceptable for structural fire protection. This is why we feel it is necessary to clarify the scope of decorative column casings role within a building.
Although many of our column casings are available in materials to Class 0 as determined by BS 476: Part 7, it is imperative that specifiers and contractors alike do not rely upon these products for structural fire protection.
A common misunderstanding is that by covering a column with a class 0 rated column casing, sufficient levels of fire protection will be achieved. This is clearly not the case. Apart from the obvious risks in the event of a fire, the specifier and senior members of their organisation could be personally liable.
Guidance from one of the worlds leading independent organisations specialising in fire testing, fire research and fire safety engineering, Warrington Fire Research, is as follows:
"Steel framed structures, or those that use structural steel sections as part of the method of support of the building, need to rely on the steelwork to effectively function as a structural member, maintaining its loadbearing capacity for the required period. For most types and use of building this period is laid down in Appendix A of Approved Document B to the Building Regulation (England and Wales) or Technical Standards, Part D (Scotland).
To achieve this the steelwork is generally protected by an applied system, either a spray applied coating or a board type cladding are often used. The ability of the coating or cladding to protect the steel is determined by tests and assessments based on British Standard BS 476: Part 21: 1987, 'Fire tests on building materials and structure, Methods for determination of the fire resistance of loadbearing elements of construction'.
Additionally there may be a requirement that the outer surface of the applied protection has a limited surface spread of flame classification, either Class 1 or possibly Class 0 may be required by Approved Document B depending on where the materials are used. These classes are determined by tests in accordance with BS 476: Part 7. For Class 0, Part 6 testing is also required.
It should be noted that having a Class 1 or Class 0 spread of flame rating for a product does not imply that it is capable of providing any structural protection in its own right. For this reason it is recommended that the profiled finishes be used in conjunction with an applied protection, previously tested or assessed in accordance with BS 476: Part 21: 1987, only as a decorative, or where applicable, protective finish to the steel protection."
For further information on fire protection, please contact our technical team
Research web site www.warringtonfire.net