Three paths to structural fire protection
A steel structure heats up very quickly in a fire and loses load capacity at around 500 °C. We slow this heating with three different approaches, depending on structure, aesthetics, and budget:
1. Board cladding
Classic solution with calcium silicate or gypsum boards. Advantage: uniform appearance, easy repair of individual boards, very high fire resistance (up to R 120) with moderate thicknesses. Drawback: bulky, detailing at junction points is more involved.
2. Reactive coating (intumescent)
Paint that foams in a fire and forms an insulating layer. Advantage: nearly invisible in normal state, preserves the contours of the steel structure (especially important in showrooms with visible structural frames). Drawback: higher material cost, thickness must be sized precisely based on U/A-value and utilization.
3. Mineral sprayed plaster
Fibre-reinforced mineral plaster sprayed directly on the steel surface. Advantage: very fast application on large areas, robust, cost-effective. Drawback: not suitable for visible areas — typical application is storage rooms and non-visible structural zones.
Sizing — what we deliver
We need the steel construction drawings with profile data, the utilization of the components (lower utilization in fire conditions can ease requirements), and the fire-protection concept. From these we calculate:
- The U/A-value (profile factor) of each component
- The required thickness of the chosen protection
- A transparent materials list with quantities per component
- The construction sequence, coordinated with other trades
When board cladding makes sense
In classic workshop environments, where aesthetics aren’t the main topic and mechanical robustness matters (occasional impact from workshop activity), board is the right choice.
When intumescent makes sense
In showrooms or modern open-architecture concepts, where the steel structure is deliberately left visible. We deliver the exact thickness and can also apply different RAL colors without compromising fire protection.
If you’re planning a steel-structure project or need to bring an existing building up to current fire-protection requirements, we’ll advise you on the most cost-effective option for your specific situation.