Fire protection of steel frame structures

Fire had been an important component of menace for centuries. Fire is an exothermic reaction that becomes reality with oxygen, fuel and combustible energy source. This fire reaction's results are heat and smoke. The heat energy, cause of fire, increase the temperature of ambiance and this could be harmful for people and buildings. Life security and goods protection could realize with applying fire security tactics on the design of steel structures. These tactics are prevention, communications, escape, containtment and extinguishment. Containtment tactic contains preventing the steel structural element's temperature reaching critical limits (540 °C) and protecting the steel elements from fire. Mass protection, surrounding with boards, spraying plaster, intumescent paints and water circulation for thermal dissipation could apply for gaining fire resistance of structural elements. Application of these methods could use inorganic fibre or granule composites that is protected by inorganic binders. Keywords: steel structure, fire, containtment tactic, fire resistance, fire protection IX