Fire Protection For Structural Steel in Buildings

YELLOW BOOK
Fire protection for structural steel

in buildings
4th Edition
Association for Specialist Fire Protection

Kingsley House, Ganders Business Park, Kingsley, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 9LU, United Kingdom
t: 01420 471 612 www.asfp.org.uk
ASFP YELLOW BOOK
Amendments to Vol 1: Section 1-9
(Amendments to Vol 2: Section 10 included in the front of each product section)
DATE SECTION AMENDMENT SUMMARY SOURCE

13/07/07 ALL Book divided into two volumes. Vol 1: Sections 1-8 & 10 and Vol 2: BP
Section 9 Product Data Sheets
06/08/07 1 Table 3: BP
610x305x149 area of section changed to 190.04
06/08/07 1 Table 6: BP
Parallel flange channels, 3-sided profile drawing corrected
06/08/07 1 Table 9: BP
3-sided profile and box drawings exchanged
06/08/07 1 Table 10: BP
Structural tees, 3-sided profile drawing corrected
305 x 152 x 58.9, 4-sided profile section factor changed to 125
06/08/07 1 Table 13: BP
60 x 60 x 4mm 4-sided section factor changed to 275
06/08/07 1 Table 14: BP
120 x 80 x 4mm 3-sided (2nd col) section factor changed to 185
01/11/07 1 Repagination of pages BP
17/12/07 1 6.3.4(c) change 150mm to 160mm BP
17/12/08 6 Include amended tables 25, 26 and 27 BP
14/01/09 5&7 Correct equation 3-7 within publication BP
09/04/09 5 Changes to wording of Section 5.3.3 item 8 BP
09/06/09 Intro Fire and Legal Liability & updated disclaimer added BP
30/07/09 4 Amendments to section 4.3.2 item 7 BP
30/07/09 1 New section 1.6.11 BP
30/07/09 6 New section 6.4 BP
05/08/09 Intro Typographical amendment: para 4 line 1 BP
07/10/09 Front Addition of CPD logo JF
Note 1:
Amendments may only be inserted by ASFP Secretariat with approval of the ASFP Technical Officer.
Association for Specialist Fire Protection 2 Fire protection for structural steel in buildings
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www.asfp.org.uk INTRODUCTION 4 Edition revised 7 Oct 09
The Association was formed in 1976, and currently represents UK contractors and manufacturers of
specialist passive fire protection products, with associate members representing regulatory, certification,
testing and consulting bodies. It seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the nature of fire and
the various forms, functions and benefits provided by passive fire protection. It is willing to make its
specialist knowledge on all aspects of fire protection and can assist specifiers and main contractors in
identifying products suitable for specific requirements, both in the UK and related overseas markets. The
Association encourages experimental work related to passive fire protection and promotes consideration and
discussion of all issues affecting the fire protection of structural steel and buildings.
Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP)
Kingsley House, Ganders Business Park, Kingsley, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 9LU, United Kingdom
T: 01420 471 612 www.asfp.org.uk
The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) develops and promotes the effective use of
steel in construction. It is an independent, membership based organisation. SCI’s
research and development activities cover multi storey structures, industrial buildings,
bridges, civil engineering and offshore engineering. Activities encompass guidance
on structural design in carbon and stainless steels, dynamic performance, fire
engineering, sustainable construction, architectural design, building physics (acoustic
and thermal performance), value engineering, and information technology.
Membership is open to all organisations and individuals that are concerned with the use of steel in construction.
Members have access to specialist advisory service, free issue of every new SCI publication and free access to
Steelbiz, an online technical information system (www.steelbiz.org).
The Steel Construction Institute, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7QN
t: +44 (0) 1344 636525 www.steel-sci.org
The Fire Test Study Group (UK) (FTSG) is a forum for technical discussions and liaisons
between consulting fire test laboratories involved in producing test and assessment information
for the purposes of building control.
The member laboratories are all UKAS Accredited for testing. The primary objective of the group
is to ensure common technical interpretations of the fire test standards and a common approach
to technical appraisals or assessments of products made by FTSG members within the terms of approved
document B “Fire Spread” to the Building Regulations 1991 1985.
Members of the FTSG participate on all relevant BSI committees, the equivalent ISO CEN technical committees
and are involved in the EEC European Commission technical discussions on harmonisation.
FTSG members have strongly supported the publication of this edition of the “Yellow Book” as it provides
specifiers and regulatory bodies with independently validated data. It also provides a comprehensive yet
concise guide to the performance of materials used to provide fire protection to structural steel.
The Fire Test Study Group (FTSG) (UK) Ltd
c/o Bodycote Warringtonfire Testing, Holmesfield Road, Warrington, Cheshire WA1 2DS
t: 01925 655116 www.warringtonfire.net
Acknowledgements
Permission to reproduce extracts of BS 5950-8: 2003 (E) is granted by BSI. British Standards can be obtained from BSI
Customer Services, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL T: +44 (0)20 8996 9001 E: cservices@bsi-global.com
The publishers wish to express their appreciation of the work undertaken by the ASFP
Technical Review Panel consisting of Messrs G.Deakin and P Crewe, Bodycote Warringtonfire
and Dr D.Smith and N Mcdonald of BRE FRS. The Panel has undertaken the validating and
appraisal of the proprietary data sheets in this publication to maintain its unbiased technical
content. The ASFP also acknowledges the valuable contributions made by Mr Gerry Newman
and Ian Simms, SCI; Mr Ron Smith, previous Technical Officer ASFP for over 15 years who
edited several revisions of this document; Mr John Dowling, Corus Construction; Bill Parlor,
current Technical Officer ASFP; and Mrs Lisa Hennessey in the preparation and editing of the
text for publication.
© 2007 Association for Specialist Fire Protection

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ISBN: 978 1 870409 25 4 (4 edition revised 7 Oct 09
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FIRE AND YOUR LEGAL LIABILITY
2008 produced the highest UK peace time fire losses of all time, rising over the previous year by 16% to a
record £1.3bn. That’s why we must all play our part.
Why is this of relevance to me!
If you are involved in provision of a fire protection package, at any level, then you share liability for its
usefulness and its operation when it’s needed in fire, and that liability will still be there in the event of a court
case.
I place the order; it is not my responsibility to install the works!
If it is your responsibility to specify the materials and/or appoint the installation contractor, it is also your
responsibility to ensure that they can prove competency for the fire protection materials used, or the works to be
carried out. It’s no longer simply a duty of care or voluntary – it’s a legal obligation.
If you knowingly ignore advice that leads to a failure in the fire performance of any element of installed fire
protection within a building, then you are likely to be found to be just as culpable as the deficient installer.
You share liability for the provision of information required under Building Regulation 16B that tells the user of
the building about the fire prevention measures provided in the building. Otherwise, the user cannot make an
effective risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
What is expected of me?
In the event of fire, and deaths, a court will want to know how every fire protection system was selected; the
basis for selection of the installer, whether adequate time was provided for its installation, and whether there
was adequate liaison between the different parties to ensure it was installed correctly. No ifs, no buts – it’s all
contained in the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2007.
The CDM 2007 regulations, enforced by Health and Safety Executive concentrate on managing the risk, and the
health and safety of all those who build, those that use the building, those who maintain it and those that
demolish it – cradle to grave.
Be aware – the time to consider the above is before the event, not after it!
Although care has been taken to ensure, to the best of our knowledge, that all data and information contained in this document is accurate
to the extent that it relates to either matters of fact or accepted practice or matters of opinion at the time of publication, neither the
Association for Specialist Fire Protection Limited nor the co-publishers will be liable for any technical, editorial, typographical or other errors
or omissions in or misinterpretations of the data and information provided in this document. Since this document may be subject to change
and updating, the data and information which it contains is only correct at the dates of the fire assessment and acceptance into this
publication. The latest version of this publication is freely downloadable from the ASFP web site at www.asfp.org.uk/publications. The latest
date is indicated at the bottom of each page. The ASFP shall not be liable for products delivered to the market, or for any aspect of
‘withdrawn’ products. Compliance with this ASFP document does not of itself infer immunity from legal obligation
Since this document may be subject to change and updating, it is an uncontrolled document. The data is only correct at the dates of the fire
assessment and acceptance into this publication. The latest version of this publication is freely downloadable from the ASFP web site at
www.asfp.org.uk/publications. The latest date is indicated at the bottom of each page. The ASFP offers no responsibility for products
delivered to the market, or for any aspect of ‘withdrawn’ products.
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Fire protection for structural steel in buildings
Published by:
Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) in conjunction with
Fire Test Study Group (FTSG) and Steel Construction Institute (SCI)
Foreword
I am pleased to be able to introduce you to this updated version of the ASFP ‘Yellow Book’ the original of which
was introduced some 30 years ago. Throughout that period it has become a definitive reference to the provision
of fire protection to structural steel in buildings, and a source of validated performance data about products for
that purpose provided by ASFP members.
Construction methods continue to change as new innovations are introduced. The ASFP has tried to react to
those changes, and will continue to respond with regular updated electronic versions of this 4th Edition offering
appropriate new text and up-to-date data on products.
This edition incorporates a new section to consolidate an industry agreed protocol for the formulation of
performance claims for intumescent products in the absence of a specific British Standard for their fire testing
and assessment. The protocol reflects requirements for gaining European Technical Approvals and CE Marking
of products, since in the next two or three years all forms of fire protection to steelwork will have to be CE
Marked if they are to be placed on the European market, even if CE Marking is not mandatory in the UK.
As the new European (EN) fire tests are introduced, beginning with the revision of DD ENV 13381-4:2002
‘Applied protection to steel members’ which will probably be split into two parts – currently drafted as prEN
13381-8 ‘Applied reactive protection to steel members’, and prEN 13381-4 ‘Applied passive protection to steel
members’ - new challenges for effective communication will arise. The revised text introduced in this 4th Edition
separates the testing and assessment methods of ‘passive’ fire protection products from ‘reactive’ fire protection
products.
This 4th Edition of the publication recognises that in recent years the use of cellular beam constructions have
increased, especially where long spans are required. These beams may feature circular, rectangular or lozenge
shaped openings in the web to reduce weight and to accommodate services. It is now well known that the
required thickness of any intumescent coating to provide fire protection to these types of cellular beams is
product specific and that generalised rules for adoption of the data appropriate to solid sections cannot be
made; the ‘narrowness’ of the web post needs to be considered to establish the appropriate thickness of the
coating. An explanatory section has been added to the text. Note that work on prEN 13381-8 does not yet
encompass testing and assessment of fire protection to cellular beams.
Notwithstanding these changes, the traditional ‘section factor’ tables have also been updated, since most steel
sizes now available from UK producers have been changed in recent times.
As in previous editions, an ASFP Technical Review Panel of independent experts judges the adequacy of the
test and assessment data supporting every product included in this book, ably managed and supported by the
ASFP Technical Officer. Appropriate acknowledgements are given in the inside cover. Readers can rest
assured that all ‘fire protective products/systems’ listed are capable of providing the claimed performance as
given by test to appropriate BS or EN standards, as indicated in all tabulated data. However, this does not
confer any reliability of performance or quality of products supplied by manufacturers to the market. This
assurance can be offered by ‘third party certification’ of the products.
In England and Wales, the introduction of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the introduction
of two separate volumes of Approved Document B –Fire Safety (2006 edition) has combined to present new
requirements for the communication of potential hazards and associated risks within the duty for dynamic risk
assessment of most buildings that are not dwellings. Similar changes are ongoing in Scotland, within The
Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the Technical Handbook (Fire) 2005 for Domestic and Non-domestic
buildings. In Northern Ireland the relevant documents are The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 and
DFP Technical Booklet E –Fire Safety 2005. The latest information can be found at either of –
www.planningportal.gov.uk or at www.infoscotland.com/firelaw or at www2.dfpni.gov.uk/buildingregulations
The information used for risk assessments may become scrutinised as never before, as Fire Law adopts the
same ‘prove yourself innocent’ approach as existing Health and Safety legislation.
I commend the ‘Yellow Book’ to all, as an authoritative source of guidance, referenced in Approved Document B
2006, on the safe provision of fire resistance for structural steel frames in buildings.
Geoff Deakin MBE
Exova Warringtonfire
Chairman of the ASFP Technical Committee
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE................................................................................................................................................................7
SCOPE ....................................................................................................................................................................7
DEFINITIONS ..........................................................................................................................................................8
1. ASPECTS OF FIRE PROTECTION..............................................................................................................9
1.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................9
1.2 Protection Methods and Fire Testing ..................................................................................................9
1.3 Fire Resistance Testing ....................................................................................................................10
1.4 Assessment of fire protection materials ............................................................................................13
1.5 Material thickness and steel temperature .........................................................................................13
1.6 Thermal Response and Section Factor ............................................................................................15
1.7 Performance of steel encased passive protection systems..............................................................20
1.8 New steel section designations.........................................................................................................20
2. STRUCTURAL FIRE ENGINEERING.........................................................................................................43
2.1 Strength of steel at elevated temperature.........................................................................................43
2.2 Load ratio ..........................................................................................................................................43
2.3 Composite beams and voids.............................................................................................................44
3 TEST & ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES – GENERAL GUIDANCE ..........................................................47
3.1 General information...........................................................................................................................47
3.2 General test procedures....................................................................................................................47
3.3 General assessment procedures ......................................................................................................48
4. TEST AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES – PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS.......................49
4.1 Test programme - passive protection systems .................................................................................49
4.2 Test procedure - passive protection systems ...................................................................................49
4.3 Assessment of performance of passive protection systems.............................................................50
5. TEST AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES – REACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS ....................53
5.1 Test programme [Reactive systems] ................................................................................................53
5.2 Test procedures [Reactive systems].................................................................................................54
5.3 Assessment procedures [Reactive systems] ....................................................................................55
6. THE FIRE PROTECTION OF CELLULAR BEAMS & CASTELLATED SECTIONS ..................................62
6.1 Cellular beams, including castellated sections, protected by passive fire protection systems [e.g.
boards and sprays]............................................................................................................................62
6.2 Cellular beams protected by reactive coatings [e.g intumescent coatings] ......................................63
6.3 The ASFP fire testing protocol for cellular beam protection .............................................................64
6.4 Cellular beams with rectangular openings protected by reactive coatings.......................................71
7. TEST AND ASSESSMENT METHODS TO THE EUROPEAN STANDARD ENV 13381- 4.....................75
7.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................75
7.2 General..............................................................................................................................................75
7.3 Testing Protocol ................................................................................................................................76
7.4 Test Conditions .................................................................................................................................77
7.5 Properties of Test Component Materials ..........................................................................................77
7.6 Validity of the Temperature Data ......................................................................................................77
7.7 Correction of Temperature Data .......................................................................................................77
7.8 Assessment Methods........................................................................................................................77
7.9 Criteria for Acceptability ....................................................................................................................79
7.10 Direct Application of Results .............................................................................................................79
7.11 Presentation of the Results ...............................................................................................................79
7.12 Applicability of the Results of the Assessment to Other Section Shapes.........................................80
7.13 Assessment of Existing BS 476 Test Data to ENV 13381- 4............................................................81
8. FIRE PROTECTION PRODUCT/ SYSTEM DATA SHEETS AND THEIR APPLICATION ........................82
8.1 Structural fire protection using passive products/systems................................................................82
8.2 Structural fire protection using reactive coatings ..............................................................................86
9. BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES ............................................................................................................88
10. LIST OF PRODUCT DATA SHEETS..........................................................................................................91
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PREFACE
This publication has been prepared by members of the ASFP and presents economical methods for the fire
protection of structural steelwork to provide compliance with building regulations. It provides a comprehensive
guide to proprietary materials and systems all of which are manufactured, marketed or site applied by members
of ASFP.
UK and European design codes give the engineer the opportunity to calculate the steel failure temperature as a
function of the applied load level. For all fire protection materials the required thickness of fire protection will
vary depending on the critical limiting temperature of the loaded steel. This edition therefore contains
information for some products showing the variation of protection thickness with steel temperature. Suppliers
may have more data available than is published here
In the new European fire test standards the section factor is referred to as A/V but, in the UK, the term Hp/A has
been used for many years to denote the section factor. In order to avoid confusion to the user of this publication,
it should be noted that the terms A/V and Hp/A have very similar meaning and the reader may use either. The
term Hp/A will eventually be replaced in the UK by A/V which will become the standard reference throughout
Europe.
SCOPE
Section 1
Contains some background information into why steel often requires fire protecting and explains the basic
concepts of fire testing and how to specify fire protection. It explains how the concept of Section Factor is used
in the assessment of protection and gives guidance on the calculation of the Section Factor in some non-
standard cases. It features Tables of Section Factors for most sizes of currently UK produced structural steel
sections. The section factor for cellular beams is discussed in Section 6.
Section 2
Contains a brief introduction to structural fire engineering and specific recommendations for composite beams.
Section 3
Contains general guidance of fire resistance test and assessment procedures using UK methods. These
comprise assessments based on the traditional UK procedure at steel temperatures of typically 550°C or 620°C
and assessments based on the traditional UK procedures but at a range of steel temperatures (350°C to
700°C).
Section 4
Contains specific test and assessment procedures for ‘passive’ fire protection systems (boards and sprays)
using UK methods
Section 5
Contains specific test and assessment procedures for ‘reactive’ fire protection systems (e.g intumescent
coatings) using UK methods in support of the protocol developed by the intumescent industry under the
auspices of the ASFP and British Coatings Federation.
Section 6
The text also includes a new text related to the fire protection of cellular beams protected from fire by passive
products or reactive coatings. It also introduces a new method of determining the section factor for cellular
beams. It should be noted that the scope of existing BS and EN standards do not make provision for this
application.
Section 7
Contains test and assessment methods to the European Standard ENV 13381- 4
Contains fire resistance assessment procedures based on the new European procedures at a range of steel
temperatures. (350°C to 700°C).
Section 8
Contains notes on the application of fire protection system data sheets from which a specifier may obtain
authoritative information on required thickness and range of application.
Section 9
Bibiliography and References
Section 10
Contains data sheets for many different fire protection systems. The data sheets indicate the limiting
temperatures for the tabulated data, and any other basis for the assessment procedures.
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DEFINITIONS
CEN
European Committee for Standardisation. This committee is responsible for the preparation of European
fire related Standards.
Composite Beam
A beam comprising a steel I section connected via shear connectors to a reinforced concrete or
composite floor slab where the steel section and floor slab are designed to act together.
Critical Temperature
The temperature at which failure of the structural steel element is expected to occur against a given load
level.
Design Temperature
The ‘design temperature’ is the temperature determined by calculation at which failure of the structural
steel element is expected against a given load level at a particular location in a building
Fire Load
The energy per square metre of floor area of the combustible material present within the internal
bounding surfaces of a room, compartment or building.
Fire Resistance Period
The fire resistance period of each tested loaded steel section is the duration of the test until the specimen
is no longer able to support the test load (see Section 1).
The fire resistance of a compartment wall or floor that is penetrated by protected structure also needs to
be considered, so that the required ‘load bearing capacity, the integrity and insulation’ criteria of the wall
are not diminished by the protected steel and fire-stopping / penetration components
Intumescent Coating / reactive coating
A coating which reacts to heat by swelling in a controlled manner to many times its original thickness to
produce a carbonaceous char, which acts as an insulating layer to protect the steel substrate.
Limiting Steel Temperature
The maximum temperature of the critical element of a steel member prior to failure, under fire conditions.
Orientation
Plane in which the exposed face of the test specimen is located, either vertically or horizontally during testing.
Passive fire protection products (e.g boards and sprays)
Products which do not change their physical form on heating, providing fire protection by virtue of their
physical or thermal properties
Plate Thermometer
A 100 x 100mm insulated thin steel plate to which a thermocouple is attached, used to measure the fire
test furnace temperature(s).
Reactive Fire Protection Products (e.g. intumescent coatings)
Products which are specifically formulated to provide a chemical reaction upon heating such that their
physical form changes and in so doing provide fire protection by thermal insulative and cooling effects.;
eg intumescent products
Section Factor (A/V)
The rate of increase in temperature of a steel cross-section is determined by the ratio of the heated
surface area (A) to the volume (V). This ratio, A/V, (also known as Hp/A), has units of m¯¹ and is known
as the ‘Section Factor’. Members with low section factors will heat up more slowly.
In profiled protection: The ratio of the inner surface area of the fire protection material per unit length, to
the cross sectional volume (area) of the steel member per unit length.
In boxed protection: The ratio of the inner surface area of the smallest possible rectangle or square
encasement that can be measured round the steel member per unit length to the cross sectional volume
(area) of the steel member per unit length.
Note that the section factor for cellular beams is calculated differently – see Section 6
Steel UB or UKB
Universal Beam of steel as manufactured to BS 4: Part 1: 2005
Steel UC or UKC
Universal Column of steel as manufactured to BS 4: Part 1: 2005
Stickability
Ability of a fire protection material to remain coherent and in position for a defined range of deformations,
furnace and steel temperatures, such that its ability to provide fire protection is not impaired.
UKAS
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (National Accreditation of Measurement and Sampling)
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1. ASPECTS OF FIRE PROTECTION
1.1 Introduction
Regulations require certain elements of structure to have fire resistance. Whether or not an element requires fire
resistance depends upon such things as size, height, use and occupancy of the building and the function of the
element. When exposed to fire all commonly used structural materials lose some of their strength, for example,
concrete can spall exposing reinforcement, timber sections deplete by charring and steel members eventually lose
strength. Heavily loaded steel will lose its design margin of safety at temperatures around 550°C regardless of the
grade of steel. Members carrying appreciably less than their full capacity may remain stable at temperatures up to,
and beyond 700°C.
Fire resistance tests on structural steel members, performed in accordance with BS 476-21 or ENV 13381-4 (see
Sections 1.3 and 7) have shown that using the fire protection products/systems described in this publication, the
load-bearing criterion of the standard test can be satisfied over a range of temperatures. Further information on
structural fire engineering is given in Section 2.
Where structural steel members are required to have enhanced fire resistance, they can be protected by applying
insulating materials. The tabulated protection thicknesses in Section 9 include the inherent fire protection of the
steel section for given exposure to fire . Alternatively, in certain cases, limited fire resistance can be achieved by
virtue of the inherent fire performance of the particular steel section itself. Fire resistance tests on heavily loaded
flexural and compression members have demonstrated that in certain cases a fire resistance of 15 minutes or more
can be achieved without applied protection. Examples are given below Table A2 of Approved Document B: 2006
1.2 Protection Methods and Fire Testing
A wide range of materials is available to enhance the fire resistance of structural steel members. They can be
applied in a variety of ways to meet specific site requirements. In considering any fire protection system it is
important to distinguish between profile, box and solid methods of application (Figs 1 and 2). Sprayed materials
would normally be applied to follow the profile of the section. Board materials would normally be used to form a box
around the section and special insulating concretes can be used to form solid protection. Details of individual fire
protection products/systems are given in Section 9.
Specially designed and constructed suspended ceilings utilising lightweight metal support components, insulating
tiles and panels, and sprayed or trowelled compounds on suspended lath, tested in accordance with BS 476-23 or
ENV 13381-1 may also be used for the protection of structural steel but they are beyond the scope of this
publication.
Fire tests on elements of building construction have been carried out in accordance with the methods in the various
Parts of BS 476. The BS 476 series is being replaced by European fire testing standards (See Sections 1.3 and 7).
These already coexist in the guidance within Approved Document B: 2006. The two standards are generally similar
but differ in a number of details. The adoption of the European standard is intended to remove technical barriers to
trade within Europe. The international fire testing standard, ISO 834, is similar to the other standards and is in the
process of being revised to bring it more in line with the European standard. It is hoped that eventually there will be
a basis for international test data exchange.
Figure 1: Protection technique for three-sided protection
Profile Box Solid

(with or without
gap over flanges)
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www.asfp.org.uk SECTION 1 4 Edition revised 7 Oct 09
Figure 2: Protection technique for four-sided protection
Profile Box Solid

(with or without
gap over flanges)
The size and construction of a test specimen would ideally be identical with the element in its intended position in a
building. In a BS 476 test, loaded beams are tested horizontally with protection applied to three sides and with the
top flange directly in contact with a floor slab. Columns are tested vertically with the protection applied to all sides.
It is therefore common to meet the terms “three sided” and “four sided” exposure when dealing with fire protection to
steelwork. When assessing a material to ENV 13381 Part 4 or to the draft prEN 13381 Part 8 the required tests are
slightly different. Beams are tested with a layer of insulation between the top flange and the floor slab and a loaded
test on a column is generally not required.
It is common when referring to the testing and use of fire protection to use the term “orientation” to mean
horizontally, as a beam, or vertically, as a column. The term “orientation” is used throughout this publication.
The data sheets in this publication have largely been derived from tests carried out at the BRE/FRS fire laboratory
at Garston, Watford, UK, or at Bodycote Warringtonfire, together with support data from other laboratories. The UK
test facilities are approved for this test work under the UKAS scheme.
The results of a standard fire resistance test relate to the steel section size and loading, together with the thickness
and performance of the protection system. To repeat the procedure to explore those important and numerous
variables for all steel sections and protection parameters would be prohibitive. Assessment procedures have
therefore been developed which allow the performance of a range of steel sections to be estimated from the
information gained from a limited number of tests.
1.3 Fire Resistance Testing
Fire test standards
The general procedures used for determining the fire resistance of load-bearing elements of structure are specified
in BS476 series. In assessing the performance of fire protection materials the relevant parts are:
Part 20 Method of determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction (general principles)
Part 21 Method of determination of the fire resistance of load-bearing elements of construction
Whilst BS 476 Part 20 is concerned with general principles and covers requirements which are common to the other
Parts of BS 476, the BS 476 Part 21 fire resistance testing covers load-bearing elements of construction, such as
steel beams, columns or walls, whilst BS 476 Part 22 fire resistance tests are intended for non load-bearing
elements of construction
European fire testing standards have been published. In assessing the performance of fire protection materials the
relevant part is presently ENV 13381-4 “Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of
structural members Part 4: Applied protection to steel members”. This standard makes reference to the EN 1363
Series of standards which contain general information about conducting fire resistance tests. However, as all the
procedures for assessing fire protection are currently specified in ENV13381-4, it is this standard which is generally
referred to in this publication. The European standards will gradually replace the British Standards.
ENV 13381-4 has no parallel British Standard. In the UK, it is generally accepted that the procedures for
determining the contribution of applied protection to the fire resistance of steel members are covered by this ASFP
publication.
In both BS476 and the new European Standards the fire resistance performance of an element is judged against
the three criteria of load-bearing capacity, integrity and insulation. The European Classification System will use the
abbreviations of R, E and I respectively for these three criteria;-
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Resistance to collapse [load-bearing capacity (R)]
is the ability of the element to remain in place and support the required load without excessive deformation.
Resistance to fire penetration [integrity (E)]
is the ability of the element to resist the passage of flame and hot gases and also, not to exhibit flame on the
unexposed side.
Resistance to the transfer of excessive heat [insulation (I)]
is the ability of the element to resist the passage of heat by conduction. , and may be of particular importance where
steel structure passes through compartments, or fire resisting walls or floors
The use of REI terminology has already become more common. Note the requirement to maintain REI for
compartment walls and floors penetrated by protected steel. Simple linear elements such as beams or columns are
only judged against loadbearing capacity for the fire resistance period under consideration. Separating elements,
such as floors or walls, are judged against all three criteria.
1.3.1 Description of Fire tests to BS476
Beams are tested horizontally in conjunction with a floor slab (Figure 3) and columns are tested vertically (Figure 4).
Currently in the UK, loaded beam tests are carried out on a nominal span of 4.25 metres using a 305x127x42
Universal Beam for passive insulating materials and a 406x178x60 Universal Beam for intumescent coatings.
Loaded column tests are normally carried out on a 203 x 203 x 52 kg/m Universal Column with an exposed length
of at least 3 metres (Figure 4). The specimen is initially held vertically and, although it has freedom to expand
longitudinally, its ends are rotationally fixed so that, structurally, an effective length factor of 0.7 can be assumed. It
is then axially loaded to develop the required stress which is normally the maximum permitted by design.
The level of the applied load traditionally used in the UK is slightly lower than that specified in the new European EN
standard. The higher EN load could make the test more onerous in that the ability of the fire protection to maintain
its stickability could be affected. However, any difference in the final assessed thickness of protection required to
keep a steel member below a specified temperature is likely to be insignificant.
It is usual to include information on the fire insulating properties of fire protection materials obtained from tests
performed on unloaded exploratory specimens (about 1m in length). This information is used in both the UK and
European methods of assessing fire protection materials, and is often combined with loaded tests to form a
complete “test package”.
The procedures used in most UK fire testing laboratories have been agreed and standardised through the Fire Test
Study Group, which embraces members from UKAS approved fire testing laboratories, representatives from the
UKAS executive and BRE Fire Research Station, to ensure that consistent techniques are adopted in the
generation of data for appraisal purposes. It is recognised that varying results can be obtained on identical
specimens tested in different furnaces. To reduce the effect of such variations, the UK laboratories use common
preparation, testing and measuring techniques.
Figure 3: General arrangement for BS 476 fire tests on beams
Concrete cover
LOAD Slab to steel
Furnace cover slab Seal Furnace cover slab
beam
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1.3.2 Description of fire tests to ENV 13381-4
The testing programme for the assessment of a fire protection material to ENV 13381-4 differs in a number of
respects from the BS 476 programme. The main difference is that a loaded column test is not required in the
European Standard, except for products which are only used for protecting columns. The other main difference is
that, for the loaded beam test, a layer of insulation is placed between the top flange of the beam and an ultra
lightweight concrete floor slab. This serves to reduce the heat sink effect of the slab and to minimise the effects of
composite action. UK beam tests use a segmented dense concrete slab in intimate contact with the top flange of
the beam.
The European procedures do not always require a loaded column to be tested. However, when assessing
intumescent coatings, an unloaded column 2000mm high must be tested to assess stickability.
Another major difference between European and UK testing is in the type of furnace thermocouple used. The
European test uses a plate thermometer. This a special type of thermocouple used for measuring the temperature
within the furnace. It consists of a small plate, insulated on one side, with a thermocouple welded to its centre. The
plate thermometer is intended to reduce the differences between fire tests carried out in different furnaces and thus
to promote European harmonisation.
Figure 4: General arrangement for BS 476 fire tests on loaded columns
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1.4 Assessment of fire protection materials
Methods of assessing the performance of fire protection materials have been developed which enable the thickness
of protection for a wide range of situations to be predicted. The procedure is in two parts. Firstly, a carefully
designed programme of fire tests is carried out on both loaded and unloaded specimens and, secondly, a
mathematical procedure is applied to the results of the tests which enables predictions of required thickness to be
made. These programmes of tests are designed to determine both the insulation characteristics of a fire protection
material and its physical performance under fire conditions for a range of steel sizes (in terms of Section Factor,
protection thicknesses and fire resistance periods). They generate the maximum amount of data from a minimum
number of tests.
A method of assessing fire protection materials has been developed and used in the UK for a number of years. It
was used to generate the data in the earlier editions of this publication and is one of the methods used in this
edition. More recently, European methods of assessing fire protection materials have been developed. These
methods have been formally codified in ENV 13381-4. In a similar programme of tests to those already used in the
UK, both loaded and unloaded specimens are tested and an appraisal of the fire protection material is derived. The
method has a number of technical differences from the UK procedure which make an exact comparison difficult.
Further information on fire resistance testing, programming and the assessment procedures are given in Sections 3,
4 and 5 - for general conditions, for passive [e.g. boards and sprays] and for reactive fire protection systems [e.g
intumescent coatings] respectively.
1.5 Material thickness and steel temperature
In this publication, the thickness of fire protection materials to maintain steel sections below specified temperatures
is given in product data tables. It is important that the basis for these temperatures is understood.
In the 1st and 2nd editions of this publication, the thickness of fire protection was specified such that the maximum
temperatures of 550°C for columns, and 620°C for beams (supporting concrete floors), were not exceeded for a
given period of fire resistance. This assumed that the structural section was fairly heavily loaded at the time of the
fire, together with a simplistic representation of the behaviour of steel at elevated temperatures. Since the
introduction of these temperatures, we have improved understanding of how steel columns and beams behave in
fire, resulting in the development of fire design codes. It is now known that the original approach was almost
invariably conservative, but, in some limited cases can be shown to be unconservative.
Using fire design codes such as BS 5950-8:2003 or the Structural Eurocodes, EC 3-1.2 and EC 4-1.2, designated
ENV 1993-1.2 and ENV 1994-1.2, the load on the structure at the time of the fire can be calculated by treating it as
an accidental limit state. If used, this will allow structural fire designers to specify a limiting or failure temperature for
a given structural section, to the fire protection contractor. The protection contractor will then be able to use the
required thickness of material to ensure that the steel section does not exceed this temperature, within the fire
resistance period. This process could be simplified by the designer specifying a maximum steel temperature, based
on the worst case, for all beams or columns on one floor level.
If the structural fire design codes are not used to calculate the maximum allowable temperature in the steel
sections, then the temperatures of 550°C and 620°C, used earlier, may not always be appropriate and some
reference to the composite or non-composite steel members and the usage of the proposed building should be
made, see Table 1.
Buildings such as offices, residences, schools, hospitals, etc, which are not used for storage, have a high
percentage of non-permanent loads. For this type of building, the structural codes, BS 5950-1 and ENV1991-1-1
(the loading code) assume that a proportion of the design load will not be present at the time of the fire. Other types
of buildings such as warehouses, libraries, etc are primarily used for storage, so a high percentage of load is
permanent, and the codes allow no reduction in design load for the fire condition.
Note that in BS 5950 Part 8:2003 the load factor for offices has been reduced from a generalised value of 0.6, as
used in previous Editions, to a lower value of 0.5. This means that the failure temperature will increase marginally.
In fire, it is permissible to consider only the strength of an element. The fire testing standards, such as BS 476,
effectively base the failure criteria for load-bearing elements on strength. However, beams are often designed for
serviceability (deflection) requirements which mean that their strength is not fully utilised in the cold state and
they would therefore have an additional reserve of strength at the fire limit state. Columns are frequently
constructed so that a single length will be two or three storeys high. The lowest storey will be the highest loaded
but the upper storey will be very lightly loaded. Another factor affecting the failure temperature in fire is that there
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are only a finite number of serial sizes. The designer is almost invariably forced to use “the next size up”. Steel
members which, in terms of strength, are not fully utilised in the normal, cold, state will have reduced load ratios in
the fire limit state.
1.5.1 Performance criteria
In case of a fire, the mechanical resistance of the entire structure or individual structural members should be
designed and constructed in such a way that their load bearing function is maintained under the factored loads for
permanent or non-permanent loads during the relevant fire exposure. The load factors for the fire limit state are
provided in Table 5 of BS 5950 Part 8:2003.
Any specified design or regulatory requirements for the insulation and integrity of compartment walls and floors,
including any incorporated members, should also be satisfied
1.5.2 Limiting temperatures
The limiting temperatures shown in Table 1, are provided for various categories as listed, for a range of load ratios
based on BS 5950-8: 2003. They may be used to determine the behaviour in fire of columns, tension members and
beams with low shear load, designed in accordance with BS 5950-1:2000.
Table 1 – Limiting temperatures for the design of protected and unprotected hot finished members
Limiting temperature [degrees C] at a load ratio of

Description of steel member
0.7 0.6(2) 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1
Members in compression, for a slenderness
≤70 510 540 580 615 655 710 800
> 70 but ≤ 180 460 510 545 590 635 635 635
Non-composite members in bending supporting concrete
slabs or composite slabs:
Unprotected members or protected members complying
590 620 650 680 725 780 880
with 6.31 of BS 5950-8
Other protected members 540 585 625 655 700 745 800
Composite members in bending supporting concrete slabs
or composite slabs:
Unprotected members, or protected members complying
with 6.31 of BS 5950-8
[i] 100% degree of shear connection 550 580(2) 610(2) 645 685 740 840
[ii] 40% degree of shear connection 575 600(2) 635(2) 665 700 760 865
Other protected members -
[i] 100% degree of shear connection 495 530 570 610 650 705 785
[ii] 40% degree of shear connection 530 560 595 630 675 725 795
Members in bending not supporting concrete slabs:
Unprotected members, or protected members complying
520 555 585 620 660 715 810
with 6.31 of BS 5950-8
Other protected members 460 510 545 590 635 690 770
Members in tension: all cases 460 510 545 590 635 690 770
NOTE – For beams supporting a composite slab, the limiting temperatures only apply when the voids between the top of the beam and
underside of the steel deck are filled with non-combustible void fillers. Also see 2.3 of this ASFP publication
SCI 4 November 1997 –‘The existing temperatures of 550C and 620C are acceptable for most circumstances, but they are not always
conservative. A suitable statement must be provided in all contracts and quotations’
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NOTE 1 - The ratio of the load or moment carried by a steel member at the time of a fire compared to the strength
of the member at normal temperatures is called the ‘load ratio’. For practical designs the load ratio will vary between
approximately 0.4 to 0.65. The higher the load ratio, the lower the failure temperature.
NOTE 2 – It is important to recognise that changes have been introduced to the text in this 4th Edition when
compared to the data in earlier Editions. These changes arise from the revision of load factors in BS 5950 - 8:
2003.
[a] For example, the load factor for Offices has been reduced from 0.6 for general buildings, to a lower value
of 0.5 in BS 5950 Part 8:2003. This means that the failure temperature will increase marginally. The load
ratio is higher in storage buildings but not usually above 0.65. This has an effect on the limiting
temperature as shown in Table 1.
[b] It is also important to differentiate between the effect on limiting temperature from non-composite decks
and composite decks with different levels of shear connection as shown in Table 1, as extracted from
BS5950-8:2003
[c] Roof loading is non-permanent in nature regardless of the use of a building. Therefore, in assessing the
appropriate steel temperature of columns and beams supporting roofs in storage buildings, the higher
steel temperatures appropriate for offices etc should be used.
NOTE 3 - Users of the tabulated data should be aware of the lower recommended temperatures for storage
buildings. As the limiting temperatures assumed may affect the thickness and cost of fire protection, users of the
data are reminded that the basis on which the thicknesses are specified in contracts should be clear to all parties.
NOTE 4 - In Section 9, fire protection system thicknesses are given for typical steel temperatures. It is the
responsibility of the design engineer, using design codes such as BS 5950-8 or ENV 1993-1-2, to specify the
appropriate limiting steel temperatures.
1.6 Thermal Response and Section Factor
The rate of increase in temperature of a steel cross-section is determined by the ratio of the heated surface area (A)
to the volume (V). This ratio, A/V, has units of m-1 and is known as the “Section Factor”. Members with low Section
Factors will heat up more slowly, and this is shown diagrammatically in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Concept of the section factor
Section Factor = A/V
where
A = surface area of steel exposed to fire per unit of length
V = Volume of the section per unit length
High A Low A
Low V High V
Fast Heating Slow Heating
In earlier editions of this publication the Section Factor was written as Hp/A. In the new European testing and
design standards (ENV13381-4, ENV1993-1-2 and ENV1994-1-2) the Section Factor is presented as A/V, which
generally has the same numerical value as Hp/A. It is likely that the designation Hp/A will gradually fall into disuse.
Throughout this publication the term A/V will be used.
A steel section with a large surface area (A) will receive more heat than one with a smaller surface area. Also, the
greater the volume (V) of the section, the greater is the heat sink. It follows therefore, that a small thick section will
be slower to increase in temperature than a large thin one. The Section Factor (A/V) is thus a measure of the rate
at which a section will heat up in a fire. The higher the value of the Section Factor the greater will be the protection
thickness required. Values of Section Factor, rounded to the nearest 5 units, for the range of sections for fire
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exposure on both three and four sides are given in Tables 3 to 15. Figure 6 illustrates the appropriate ‘perimeter
dimension’ to be used when calculating the Section Factor for a variety of steel sections in different situations.
In calculating the Section Factor values the full volume, V, is used whether the section is exposed on three or four
sides as the whole of the steel section will be receiving heat. The value of A is the exposed surface area and that
depends on the configuration of the fire protection. In the case of a “box” protection, the surface area is taken as
the sum of the inside dimensions of the smallest possible rectangular or square encasement (except for circular
hollow sections - see Figure 6) whilst for a “profile” protection, it is taken as the external surface area of the steel
section itself. Where a section supports a floor or is against a wall which themselves provide fire protection, the
surface in contact is ignored in calculating A. For “solid” protection the Section Factor value should be taken as that
for box protection.
Where a spray or trowelled system has been tested as a profile protection, the use of the same material as a box
protection is permissible, provided there is adequate evidence of physical performance (commonly referred to as
“stickability”). In the absence of a full programme of tests on the system as a boxed protection, the thickness
should be derived on the basis of the Section Factor for the profiled application
In some cases the appropriate Section Factor may not be based on simple geometric considerations. Guidance on
some common cases is given below.
1.6.1 Section Factor (1400/t) for cellular beams including castellated sections
Cellular beams
To satisfy building design requirements, steel beams are now available with a variety of apertures created in the
basic section size, during a secondary manufacturing process, to form deeper cellular beams than the parent beam.
Alternatively, cellular beams can be created from three flat steel plates welded together.
Whilst rectangular and/or elliptical ‘elongated’ aperture shapes are available, most apertures are circular in shape. A
large range of circular aperture sizes and spacing/pitch is available. The dimensions of the residual ‘web post’ can
significantly affect the performance of the cellular beam in fire.
The method of calculating section factor AND fire protection thickness for cellular beams is considered to be
different than for other solid steel sections. Different approaches have been introduced for the use of passive fire
protection products (boards and sprays) and reactive coatings (intumescent products). The issue is discussed
further in Section 6.
Castellated sections
This publication considers that castellated beams are one form of cellular beams. Fire test experience has shown
that the temperature of castellated members may increase at a slightly faster rate than the conventional parent
sections and that an increase in the fire protection thickness is prudent. Although minimal steel is effectively
removed from the parent steel section volume, the steel depth is increased.
N.B. In previous editions of this publication, it has been recommended that to obtain the thickness of passive fire
protection [boards and sprays] for a castellated section, the thickness of fire protection should first be obtained
based on the section factor as determined for the original parent steel section and then increased by 20%, for the
installed fire protection product. This guidance is now withdrawn and replaced by new guidance for cellular beams
in Section 6.
Furthermore, the 20% rule does not apply when using reactive coatings [e.g intumescent paint] for the fire
protection of castellated sections and cellular beams. New recommendations are also provided in Section 6.
1.6.2 Section Factor (A/V) for structural hollow sections
Other than where stated in Section 2, the fire test data relates specifically to universal beams and columns, as the
bulk of test work over the years has concentrated on these sections. However, test data exists on structural hollow
sections (SHS) as compression and flexural members, and the comparability between SHS sections and “I” sections
in terms of protection thickness related to Section Factor, for rectangular, square and circular sections, has been
established.
The same critical temperatures can be adopted for analysis purposes for SHS and “I“ sections. The modifications
listed below would not apply to intumescent coatings. Guidance on fire protection with intumescent coatings is
presented in Section 5.
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For fire protection materials, whether boards or spray (on lath), whose thicknesses have been assessed from
test data on boxed “I” sections (see Figure 1), no change in thickness is required, i.e. the thickness for an
SHS of a given Section Factor, is equal to that for the “I” section of the same “box” Section Factor.
For fire protection materials, whether board or spray whose thickness has been assessed from test data on
profiled “I” sections (see Figure 2), some modification in thickness is required. The extent of the modification
is related to the Section Factor of the section and is derived as follows:
(a) Establish the Section Factor of the SHS section.
(b) Establish the required thickness of profiled protection material based upon the tables relating to
Section Factor and fire resistance period and protection thickness, derived for “I” sections. This is
the thickness “dp” (mm).
(c) Increase thickness dp as follows
-1 A/V
For Section Factor up to 250m Modified thickness = dp 1 +
1000
For Section Factor between 250 to 310m-1 Modified thickness = 1.25 dp
NOTE 1 - The maximum thickness that can be applied to SHS sections should not exceed that given for “I” sections
listed under item 11 of the data sheet (see 7.1.2 in Section 7).
NOTE 2 - It should be noted that any changes resulting from the transposition from “I” sections to SHS sections
may affect the retention of the material. Where modifications are considered significant, appropriate loaded
fire resistance tests should be carried out.
NOTE 3 - Where the fire protection thickness of “I” sections has been established by a test conducted on members
which were “solid” protected, then a separate appraisal for the hollow section is necessary.
1.6.3 Section Factor for partially exposed members
When a section is partially exposed to fire, for instance when a column is built into a wall or a beam is embedded in
a floor slab, and robust construction materials such as brick, block or concrete have been used, the Section Factor
may be traditionally calculated as shown in Figure 6. In such situations the same principle is used as for other
configurations where A is the surface area of the part of the section exposed to the fire and V is the volume of the
section. The Section Factor will change depending upon the degree of exposure and the equations given in
Figure 6 can be used.
It should be noted that the calculation method in Table 4.2 of Eurocode EN 1993-1-2:2005, for unprotected steel
members uses a more conservative value for the Section Factor[A/V] as calculated by division of the exposed steel
perimeter [AEXP] by the exposed steel cross section area [VEXP] rather than the entire volume of the steel section,
despite the fact that heat is conducted into the entire volume of the steel section and also into the mass in contact
with the embedded steel surface.
That is, for partially exposed unprotected steel, the Eurocode Section Factor (A/V) = (AEXP / VEXP)
Notwithstanding the above, for partially exposed steelwork, separate consideration should be given to the stability of
the encompassing wall or partition in fire, since this will play a part in the conduction of heat away from the steel, as
will the thermal conductance at the contact points. Being mindful of modern trends towards greater use of
lightweight wall and sandwich panel or partition constructions, the method generally used in Figure 6 may no longer
be as generally applicable when steel is not embedded in robust walls such as brick, block or concrete. In the case
of lightweight walls/partitions it would be prudent to assume that the entire perimeter of the steel may become
exposed to fire, and the Section Factor should then be calculated in the traditional manner.
Note that where the steel section penetrates through both sides of a fire resisting construction, the thickness of
protection may be determined by other requirements, such as compliance with the appropriate integrity and/or
insulation requirements of BS 476 for elements performing a fire separation function. As an example, consider a
steel section partially exposed on both sides of a wall or floor as shown in Figure 6.
Different approaches should be followed according to the degree of fire resistance required of the wall or floor,
whether it be similar to or less than that of the steel member, or zero.
In the case of walls, for example, the following have to be considered:
(a) Solid masonry or concrete wall having comparable fire resistance.
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Since the insulation criterion must be satisfied for both steel member and wall, the thickness of protection to
the exposed steel should be sufficient to ensure that the rise in mean surface temperature of the protection
on the side remote from the fire does not exceed 140°C, and the rise in maximum surface temperature does
not exceed 180°C.
In assessing fire protection requirements to maintain the structural performance of the column, the exposed
steel on each side of the wall will have its own heated surface area, A, and therefore its own A/V,
consequently different protection thicknesses may be required on each side depending upon the degree of
exposure.
(b) Walls having lower fire resistance or formed from material which will degrade when exposed to fire, e.g.
timber stud with combustible facings.
The effective surface area will relate to all steel which has the potential of becoming exposed and the fire
protection should be applied in such a manner that its performance is independent of the wall.
In some load bearing walls, simultaneous attack from fire on both sides may occur on columns partially exposed
within the wall. Where this occurs, the Section Factor must be based on the sum of the fire exposed areas, either
side of the wall, and the total volume of the section.
1.6.4 Section Factor (A/V) for wind and stability bracing [extracted from BS 5950-8:2003]
The apparent cost of fire protecting bracing members is often expected to be high because the members are
comparatively light and therefore have high Section Factors and correspondingly require high thicknesses of fire
protection. However, for the reasons now discussed BS 5950-8:2003 recommends that the fire protection thickness
should be based on the section factor of the steel member, or a value of 200-1, whichever is the smaller value. In
some cases, it might not be necessary to apply fire protection to bracing members and consideration should be
given to:
a) Shielding bracing from fire by installing it in shafts or within walls.
b) The use of infill masonry walls, which can provide the sufficient shear capacity during a fire instead of relying
on the steel bracing systems
c) The possibility that only bracing systems within a fire compartment might be subjected to elevated
temperatures and the other unaffected bracing systems might be sufficient to provide the required stability at
the fire limit state.
d) The possibility that the steel beam to column connections might have sufficient stiffness to ensure stability at
the fire limit state
The recommendations in previous Editions for fire protection to bracing members are retained in Table 2.
Table 2: Assessment of fire protection requirements for bracing

Building Degree of fire protection to bracing system
Single storey
None
Not more than 8m to eaves
Single storey
Generally none
More than 8m to eaves
Generally none
Two storey
Walls and frame stiffness will contribute considerably to stability.
Protected to achieve required fire resistance. However the selection of thickness may be
Other multi-storey
based on allowable reductions in applied loads in fire given in BS 5950-8
1.6.5 Section Factor (A/V) for tees, angles, channels

Where these sections are used structurally, it is necessary to determine the A/V values using the surface area, A,
values illustrated in Figure 6. Where such members are considered as wind bracing, a modified approach is
recommended and is discussed in the following section.
1.6.6 Tapered sections
Use the maximum section factor for the tapered steel section
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1.6.7 Section Factor (A/V) for lattice members
Ideally, wherever possible, a lattice beam should be judged by a full test as a loaded member. However, with
existing fire testing equipment this is not always practicable and recourse to appraisal using A/V can be made.
When the elements of a lattice beam are to be individually protected, the thickness of protection required for each
element should be based on the Section Factor of the individual element. Where a lattice beam is to be protected
by encasing the entire beam by either boards, or sprays applied to an expanded metal lathing, no recommendation
can be given and each case must be considered on its own merits, according to any test information available.
The use of the limiting temperature method of BS 5950-8: 2003 or the similar EC3-1.2 method is not recommended
for the diagonal bracing members because these members might be subject to significant thermal stresses from
restrained thermal expansion. In the absence of a detailed analysis a general steel temperature of 550°C is
recommended. In any case it is important that the final appraisal be based on a broad consideration of the lattice
design.
1.6.8 Light gauge cold rolled sections
This type of section would normally necessitate separate appraisal because of the high values of A/V and the
manner in which the sections are formed which can influence their failure criteria. Research is continuing to
formulate recommendations for the applications of data given in this publication. Some information on the
protection of cold formed members is given in the SCI publication 129 - “Building design using cold formed
members”.
There are a variety of sections formed from cold rolled sections and normally each would require separate
appraisal.
1.6.9 Unprotected steel
According to BS 5950-8:2003, fire resistance tests have demonstrated that 30 minutes fire resistance can be
achieved with fully stressed unprotected steel sections as follows:
Rolled steel section columns filled with aerated concrete blockwork between the flanges – A/V up to 69m-1
Columns, in simple construction, four sided exposure - A/V up to 50m-1
Beams, in bending, directly supporting concrete or composite slabs - A/V up to 90m-1
Where these specific conditions arise on site, protection may not be necessary subject to agreement with the
approving authority.
1.6.10 Novel steel beam designs
Steel manufacturers may have different approaches to novel steel beam designs in buildings. For example, in the
UK, ‘Slimflor’ and ‘Slimdek’ are the trade names for a form of shallow floor construction developed by Corus. There
are three forms available as briefly described below. Other variations of a similar or different approach may be
available from suppliers located in other countries
‘Slimflor’ with precast planks
In this form, the beam is manufactured by welding a plate to a column section. The floor is then created by laying a
pre-cast concrete floor slab on the outstand of the plate.
In situations where fire protection is required, the bottom plate only should be protected. As with standard down-
stand beams, the protection material thickness is based on the section factor and for calculation
purposes, the heated perimeter is the width of the plate plus 2 x plate thickness, in metres, divided by the cross
sectional area of the column section and plate combined. This will usually result in low section factors.
‘Slimflor’ with deep decking
In this form, the beam is also manufactured by welding a plate to a column section. However the floor is then
created by laying a deep metal deck on the outstand of the plate. The deck is then filled with in-situ concrete.
When fire protection is required, the bottom plate only should be protected. As with standard down-stand beams,
the protection material thickness is based on the section factor and this calculation is identical to that for Slimflor
with pre-cast planks. This will also usually result in low section factors.
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‘Slimdek’ flooring systems
In this form, the beam is a rolled asymmetric section with the lower flange wider than the upper. The floor is created
by laying a deep metal deck on the outstand of the bottom plate. The deck is then filled with in-situ concrete.
The beams are normally rolled with a thick web and, in the fire condition, this web takes much of the load shed by
the hot bottom flange. Where the thick web is not sufficient to compensate for the loss in strength of the flange, it is
usually more economic for the designer to use a beam without a thick web. Asymmetric ‘Slimdek’ Beams with a fire
engineered (thick) web are designated ASB(FE); those without the thick web are designated ASB.
As previously stated, when fire protection is required, the bottom flange only should be protected. For calculation
purposes the heated perimeter is also taken as the width of the bottom flange plus 2 x bottom flange thickness, in
metres, divided by the cross sectional area of the ASB. This will also usually result in low section factors.
Contact should be made with Corus Steel for further information relating to the above systems
1.6.11 Galvanised surfaces
The application of intumescent (reactive) coatings to galvanised surfaces may occur either off-site in a factory
controlled environment or on-site during the construction of the building.
OFF SITE: Steel Construction Institute publication P160 ‘Structural fire design: Offsite applied thin film intumescent
coatings (2nd edition)’ makes reference to substrate preparation in Section 4.1 of that document.
ONSITE: ASFP technical guidance documents provide advice for the application of different types of fire protection
systems in relevant documents.
[a] TGD11 ‘Code of practice for the specification and on-site installation of intumescent coatings for the fire
protection of structural steelwork’ contains Section 3.4 with specific advice for the preparation of galvanised
steelwork before coatings are applied.
[b] TGD 15 ‘Code of practice for the installation and inspection of sprayed non-reactive coatings for the fire
protection of structural steelwork’ contains Section 4 and 4.4 in relation to preparation of substrates and galvanised
steelwork.
1.7 Performance of steel encased passive protection systems
To assess the performance of a steel encased protection system, a fire resistance test should be performed for the
maximum fire resistance period on a fully loaded specimen in the orientation in which the system is to be assessed.
The fire resistance test shall be performed on the steel encased protection system incorporating the board to be
used in practice.
The performance of the structural member fitted with the steel encased protection system in the test shall be
compared with the value(s) taken from the appropriate data sheet(s) at the required critical steel temperature(s)
derived from tests of the structural member protected with the same material but without the steel encasement.
(i) If the fire performance achieved by the steel encased specimen is greater than, or equal to the fire
performance of the specimen without the steel encasement, the data sheets for the protection material
without the encasement can be used for the steel encased protection system without correction. The same
test data may be used to show the suitability of other protection materials of similar type.
(ii) If the fire performance achieved at the required critical steel temperature is less than the value expected from
test data for the protection system without the steel encasement the data sheet for the encased system shall
be modified by the use of a correction factor to bring the two sets of information into agreement.
1.8 New steel section designations
As part of the process of compliance with European Construction Products Directive [CPD 89/106/EEC], steel
sections may be encountered with amended prefixes for relevant applications, as follows
Universal beams - UB becomes UKB; Universal columns - UC becomes UKC
Parallel flange channels - PFC becomes UKPFC Asymmetric ‘Slimflor’ Beams - ASB
‘Slimflor’ beams - SFB Angles – UKA
Tees - UKT
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NOTE 1- The figures for section factors in the following Tables 3-15 have been provided by Corus and include
corner radii. They may therefore vary from simpler calculation of similar steel sizes from other sources.
NOTE 2 - That in Figure 6, that follows, calculations for 1 sided exposure should reflect the text in 1.6.3
NOTE 3 – The dimensions of historically available steel sections and steel sections from other sources will be made
available in the Technical Section of the ASFP web site
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Figure
Figure6:6:Protection
Protectionconfigurations
configurations with
with values
values of
of perimeter
perimeter Hp for use in the calculation of section
section factor
factor Hp/A
Hp/A (A/V)
(A/V)
Note:
Note:the
thevalues
valuesare
areapproximate
approximateininthat
thatradii at at
radii corners andand
corners roots of all
roots sections
of all may
sections beignored
are ignored.
In this figure Hp/A
Hp/A == A/V
A/V
Steel section Profile protection
Universal beams, universal 4 sides 3 sides 3 sides 2 sides 1 side

columns and joists
(plain and castellated)
d
t Partially exposed Partially exposed

D
2B + 2D + 2(B - t) B + 2D + 2(B - t) B + 2d + (B - t) B + D + 2(B - t)/2

B Hp B
= 4B + 2D - 2t = 3B + 2D - 2t = 2B + 2d - t = 2B + D - t
4 sides 3 sides 3 sides

Structural and rolled tees
t Flange to soffit Toe of web to soffit

D
B + 2D + (B - t)
Hp 2B + 2D B + 2D
= 2B + 2D - t

Angles
B
t
D Flange to soffit Toe of flange to soffit
t B + 2D + (B - t)
Hp 2B + 2D B + 2D
= 2B + 2D - t

Channels
t
D Web to soffit Flange to soffit
2B + 2D + 2(B - t) 2B + D + 2(B - t) B + 2D + 2(B - t)
Hp
= 4B + 2D - 2t = 4B + D - 2t = 3B + 2D - 2t
Hollow sections, 4 sides 3 sides

square or rectangular
D Hp 2B + 2D B + 2D
Hollow sections,
circular
D
Hp πD
Example a) Profile protection - 4 sided exposure b) Profile protection - 3 sided exposure

using 203 x 203 x 52 kg/m Hp = 4B + 2D - 2t
universal beam Hp = 4B+2D-2t=[4x204.3]+[2x206.2]-[2x7.9] Hp Hp == 3B + 2D - 2t
3B+2D-2t=612.9+412.4-15.8
Hp = 4 x 203.9 + 2 x 206.2 - 2 x 8.0 Hp = 611.7 + 412.4 - 16
B = 817.2+412.2-15.8=1213.8mm=1.214m = 1009.5mm=1.01m
B == 204.3mm
203.9mm; D D
= 206.2mm
= 206.2mm = 1212 mm = 1.212 m = 1008 mm = 1.008 m
t = 7.9mm A =A66.282cm2
t = 8.0 mm. = 66.4 cm² Hp/A = 1.214/0.006282 – 183.2m-1 Hp/A = 1.01/0.0066282 = 152.4m-1
Hp/A = 1.212/0.00664 = 182.5 m -1 Hp/A = 1.008/0.00664 = 151.8 m -1
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Figure 6 (continued)
In this figure Hp/A = A/V
Steel section Box and solid protection
Universal beams, universal 4 sides 3 sides 3 sides 2 sides 1 side

columns and joists
(plain and castellated)
d
Partially exposed Partially exposed
Hp 2B + 2D B + 2D B + 2d B+D B

Structural and rolled tees
Flange to soffit Toe of web to soffit
Hp 2B + 2D B + 2D B + 2D

Angles
Flange to soffit Toe of flange to soffit
Hp 2B + 2D B + 2D B + 2D

Channels
Web to soffit Flange to soffit
Hp 2B + 2D 2B + D B + 2D
Hollow sections, 4 sides 3 sides

square or rectangular
Hp 2B + 2D B + 2D
Hollow sections,
circular Note. The air space created in boxing a section improves the insulation and a
value of Hp/A, and therefore Hp, higher than for profile protection
would be anomalous. Hence Hp is taken as the circumference of the
tube and not 4D.
Hp πD
Example continued c)c) BoxBox

- 4 sided exposure
protection – 4 sided exposure d) Box
d) - 3 sided
Box exposure
protection – 3 sided exposure
H p = 2B + 2D = 407.8 + 412.4 Hp = B + 2D = 203.9 + 412.4
Hp = 3B + 2D – 2t = 612.9 + 412.4 – 15.8 Hp = B +2D = 204.3 + 412.4
= 820.2 =mm
= 1009.5mm = 0.820 m
1.01m ==616.7mm
616.3 mm==0.617m
0.616 m
-1 -1
Hp/A =Hp0.821
/A = /0.82/0.00664
0.0066282 = 123.9m
= 123.5 m -1 Hp/A
Hp/A==0.617/0.0066282 = 93.04m
0.616/0.00664 = 92.8 m -1
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Table 3: October 2006 Section factor A/V(Hp/A)
Profile Box
UK Beams (UKB) 3 sides 4 sides 3 sides 4sides
Dimensions to BS4 Part 1:2005

Designation Thickness
Depth of Width of Area of
Mass per Flange
Serial size section D section B Web t section
metre T
mm kg mm mm mm mm cm2 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1
487 1036.1 308.5 30.0 54.1 619.89 45 50 40 45
438 1025.9 305.4 26.9 49.0 556.62 50 55 40 50
393 1016.0 303.0 24.4 43.9 500.24 55 65 45 55
349 1008.1 302.0 21.1 40.0 445.15 65 70 50 60
1016 x 305
314 1000.0 300.0 19.1 35.9 400.41 70 80 55 65
272 990.1 300.0 16.5 31.0 346.86 80 90 65 75
249 980.2 300.0 16.5 26.0 316.88 90 95 70 80
222 970.3 300.0 16.0 21.1 282.82 95 110 80 90
388 921.0 420.5 21.4 36.6 494.22 60 70 45 55
914 x 419
343 911.8 418.5 19.4 32.0 437.30 70 80 50 60
289 926.6 307.7 19.5 32.0 368.27 75 80 60 65
253 918.4 305.5 17.3 27.9 322.83 85 95 65 75
914 x 305
224 910.4 304.1 15.9 23.9 285.64 95 105 75 85
201 903.0 303.3 15.1 20.2 255.92 105 115 80 95
226 850.9 293.8 16.1 26.8 288.56 85 100 70 80
838 x 292 194 840.7 292.4 14.7 21.7 246.82 100 115 80 90
176 834.9 291.7 14.0 18.8 224.02 110 125 90 100
197 769.8 268.0 15.6 25.4 250.64 90 100 70 85
173 762.2 266.7 14.3 21.6 220.37 105 115 80 95
762 x 267
147 754.0 265.2 12.8 17.5 187.19 120 135 95 110
134 750.0 264.4 12.0 15.5 170.58 130 145 105 120
170 692.9 255.8 14.5 23.7 216.83 95 110 75 90
152 687.5 254.5 13.2 21.0 194.08 105 120 85 95
686 x 254
140 683.5 253.7 12.4 19.0 178.43 115 130 90 105
125 677.9 253.0 11.7 16.2 159.48 130 145 100 115
238 635.8 311.4 18.4 31.4 303.33 70 80 50 60
610 x 305 179 620.2 307.1 14.1 23.6 228.08 90 105 70 80
149 612.4 304.8 11.8 19.7 190.04 110 125 80 95
140 617.2 230.2 13.1 22.1 178.19 105 120 80 95
125 612.2 229.0 11.9 19.6 159.34 115 130 90 105
610 x 229
113 607.6 228.2 11.1 17.3 143.94 130 145 100 115
101 602.6 227.6 10.5 14.8 128.92 145 160 110 130
100 607.4 179.2 11.3 17.2 128.00 135 150 110 125
610 x 178 92 603.0 178.8 10.9 15.0 117.00 145 160 120 135
82 598.6 177.9 10.0 12.8 104.00 160 180 130 150
273 577.1 320.2 21.1 37.6 348.00 60 70 40 50
219 560.3 317.4 18.3 29.2 279.00 70 85 50 65
533 x 312
182 550.7 314.5 15.2 24.4 231.00 85 100 60 75
151 542.5 312.0 12.7 20.3 192.00 105 120 75 90
138 549.1 213.9 14.7 23.6 176.00 95 110 75 85
122 544.5 211.9 12.7 21.3 155.39 110 120 85 95
109 539.5 210.8 11.6 18.8 138.86 120 135 95 110
533 x 210
101 536.7 210.0 10.8 17.4 128.67 130 145 100 115
92 533.1 209.3 10.1 15.6 117.38 140 160 110 125
82 528.3 208.8 9.6 13.2 104.69 155 175 120 140
continued overleaf
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Profile Box

Mass per Flange
metre T
85 534.9 166.5 10.3 16.5 108.00 140 155 115 130
533 x 165 75 529.1 165.9 9.7 13.6 95.20 160 175 130 145
66 524.7 165.1 8.9 11.4 83.70 180 200 145 165
161 492.0 199.4 18.0 32.0 206.00 75 85 60 65
133 480.6 196.7 15.3 26.3 170.00 90 100 70 80
106 469.2 194.0 12.6 20.6 135.00 110 125 85 100
98 467.2 192.8 11.4 19.6 125.26 120 135 90 105
457 x 191
89 463.4 191.9 10.5 17.7 113.76 130 145 100 115
82 460.0 191.3 9.9 16.0 104.48 140 160 105 125
74 457.0 190.4 9.0 14.5 94.63 155 175 115 135
67 453.4 189.9 8.5 12.7 85.51 170 190 130 150
82 465.8 155.3 10.5 18.9 104.53 130 145 105 120
74 462.0 154.4 9.6 17.0 94.48 145 160 115 130
457 x 152 67 458.0 153.8 9.0 15.0 85.55 155 175 125 145
60 454.6 152.9 8.1 13.3 76.23 175 195 140 160
52 449.8 152.4 7.6 10.9 66.64 200 220 160 180
85 417.2 181.9 10.9 18.2 109.00 125 140 95 110
74 412.8 179.5 9.5 16.0 94.51 140 160 105 125
406 x 178 67 409.4 178.8 8.8 14.3 85.54 155 175 115 140
60 406.4 177.9 7.9 12.8 76.52 170 195 130 155
54 402.6 177.7 7.7 10.9 68.95 190 215 145 170
53 406.6 143.3 7.9 12.9 67.90 180 200 140 160
406 x 140 46 403.2 142.2 6.8 11.2 58.64 205 230 160 185
39 398.0 141.8 6.4 8.6 49.65 240 270 190 215
67 363.4 178.1 9.1 15.7 85.49 140 160 105 125
57 358.0 172.2 8.1 13.0 72.55 165 190 120 145
356 x 171
51 355.0 171.5 7.4 11.5 64.91 185 210 135 160
45 351.4 171.1 7.0 9.7 57.33 205 235 150 180
39 353.4 126.0 6.6 10.7 49.77 210 235 165 195
356 x 127
33 349.0 125.4 6.0 8.5 42.13 250 280 195 225
54 310.4 166.9 7.9 13.7 68.77 160 185 115 140
305 x 165 46 306.6 165.7 6.7 11.8 58.75 185 210 135 160
40 303.4 165.0 6.0 10.2 51.32 210 240 150 185
48 311.0 125.3 9.0 14.0 61.23 160 180 120 145
305 x 127 42 307.2 124.3 8.0 12.1 53.40 180 200 140 160
37 304.4 123.4 7.1 10.7 47.18 200 225 155 180
33 312.7 102.4 6.6 10.8 41.83 215 240 175 200
305 x 102 28 308.7 101.8 6.0 8.8 35.88 250 280 200 230
25 305.1 101.6 5.8 7.0 31.60 280 315 225 255
43 259.6 147.3 7.2 12.7 54.77 170 195 120 150
254 x 146 37 256.0 146.4 6.3 10.9 47.16 195 225 140 170
31 251.4 146.1 6.0 8.6 39.68 230 270 165 200
28 260.4 102.2 6.3 10.0 36.08 220 250 175 200
254 x 102 25 257.2 101.9 6.0 8.4 32.04 250 280 190 225
22 254.0 101.6 5.7 6.8 28.02 280 320 220 255
continued overleaf
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Profile Box

Mass per Flange
metre T
30 206.8 133.9 6.4 9.6 38.21 205 240 145 180
203 x 133
25 203.2 133.2 5.7 7.8 31.97 245 285 170 210
203 x 102 23 203.2 101.8 5.4 9.3 29.40 235 270 175 205
178 x 102 19 177.8 101.2 4.8 7.9 24.26 260 305 190 230
152 x 89 16 152.4 88.7 4.5 7.7 20.32 270 315 195 235
127 x 76 13 127.0 76.0 4.0 7.6 16.52 280 325 200 245
NB - Data on older and other steel sizes can be found on ASFP website/technical section
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Table 4: October 2006 Section factorA/V(Hp/A)
Profile Box
Columns (UKC) 3 sides 4 sides 3 sides 4sides

Area of
Mass per Depth of Width of Web Flange
Serial size section
metre section D section B t T
634 474.6 424.0 47.6 77.0 807.548 25 30 15 20
551 455.6 418.5 42.1 67.5 701.930 30 35 20 25
467 436.6 412.2 35.8 58.0 594.909 35 40 20 30
356 x 406 393 419.0 407.0 30.6 49.2 500.574 40 50 25 35
340 406.4 403.0 26.6 42.9 433.036 45 55 30 35
287 393.6 399.0 22.6 36.5 365.708 50 65 30 45
235 381.0 394.8 18.4 30.2 299.432 65 75 40 50
202 374.6 374.7 16.5 27.0 257.219 70 85 45 60
177 368.2 372.6 14.4 23.8 225.506 80 95 50 65
356 x 368
153 362.0 370.5 12.3 20.7 194.803 90 110 55 75
129 355.6 368.6 10.4 17.5 164.335 110 130 65 90
283 365.3 322.2 26.8 44.1 360.426 45 55 30 40
240 352.5 318.4 23.0 37.7 305.789 50 60 35 45
198 339.9 314.5 19.1 31.4 252.414 60 75 40 50
305 x 305 158 327.1 311.2 15.8 25.0 201.364 75 90 50 65
137 320.5 309.2 13.8 21.7 174.415 85 105 55 70
118 314.5 307.4 12.0 18.7 150.202 100 120 60 85
97 307.9 305.3 9.9 15.4 123.448 120 145 75 100
167 289.1 265.2 19.2 31.7 212.855 60 75 40 50
132 276.3 261.3 15.3 25.3 168.134 75 90 50 65
254 x 254 107 266.7 258.8 12.8 20.5 136.381 95 110 60 75
89 260.3 256.3 10.3 17.3 113.311 110 135 70 90
73 254.1 254.6 8.6 14.2 93.100 130 160 80 110
127 241.4 213.9 18.1 30.1 162.00 65 80 45 55
113 235.0 212.1 16.3 26.9 145.00 75 90 45 60
100 228.6 210.3 14.5 23.7 127.00 80 100 55 70
86 222.2 209.1 12.7 20.5 109.636 95 115 60 80
203 x 203
71 215.8 206.4 10.0 17.3 90.427 110 135 70 95
60 209.6 205.8 9.4 14.2 76.373 130 160 80 110
52 206.2 204.3 7.9 12.5 66.282 150 180 95 125
46 203.2 203.6 7.2 11.0 58.731 170 200 105 140
51 170.2 157.4 11.0 15.7 65.20 120 145 75 100
44 166.0 155.9 9.5 13.6 56.10 135 165 85 115
152 x 152 37 161.8 154.4 8.0 11.5 47.112 160 195 100 135
30 157.6 152.9 6.5 9.4 38.263 195 235 120 160
23 152.4 152.2 5.8 6.8 29.245 250 305 155 210
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Table 5: July 06 Section factor A/V (Hp/A)
Profile Box
JOISTS 3 sides 4 sides 3 sides 4sides
Dimensions to BS 4 Part 1:1993

Area of
Mass per Depth of Width of Web Flange
Serial size section
metre section D section B t T
203 X 152 52.3 203.2 152.4 8.9 16.5 66.6 115 140 85 105
152 X 127 37.3 152.4 127.0 10.4 13.2 47.5 130 155 90 120
Table 6: October 2006 Section factor A/V (Hp/A)

Profile Box
Parallel Flange Channels 4 4
3 sides 3 sides
sides sides
Dimensions to BS 4 Part 1: 2005
Designation Depth Width Thickness
Area
Mass of of
of
Serial size per section section Web Flange
t T section
metre D B
mm Kg mm mm mm mm cm2 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1
430 x100 64.40 430 100 11.0 19.0 82.09 135 95 75 150 115 75 75 130
380 x 100 54.00 380 100 9.5 17.5 68.74 150 110 85 165 125 85 85 140
300 x 100 45.50 300 100 9.0 16.5 58.00 150 115 85 165 120 85 85 140
300 x 90 41.40 300 90 9.0 15.5 52.78 160 120 90 175 130 90 90 150
260 x 90 34.80 260 90 8.0 14.0 44.38 170 135 100 190 135 100 100 160
260 x 75 27.60 260 75 7.0 12.0 35.14 205 150 115 225 170 115 115 190
230 x 90 32.20 230 90 7.5 14.0 40.97 170 140 100 195 135 100 100 155
230 x 75 25.70 230 75 6.5 12.5 32.69 200 155 115 225 165 115 115 185
200 x 90 29.70 200 90 7.0 14.0 37.86 170 140 100 195 130 100 100 155
200 x 75 23.40 200 75 6.0 12.5 29.87 200 160 115 225 160 115 115 185
180 x 90 26.10 180 90 6.5 12.5 33.19 185 155 110 210 135 110 110 165
180 x 75 20.30 180 75 6.0 10.5 25.91 215 175 125 245 170 125 125 195
150 x 90 23.90 150 90 6.5 12.0 30.41 180 160 110 210 130 110 110 160
150 x 75 17.90 150 75 5.5 10.0 22.77 220 190 130 255 165 130 130 200
125 x 65 14.80 125 65 5.5 9.5 18.80 225 195 135 260 170 135 135 200
100 x 50 10.20 100 50 5.0 8.5 13.00 255 215 155 295 190 155 155 230
NB – Data on older and other steel sizes can be found on ASFP website / technical section
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Profile Box
Equal Angles (UKA) 3 sides 4 sides 3 sides 4 sides
Dimensions to
BS EN 10056-1:1999
Size Thickness Mass per Area of
DxD t metre Section
mm mm Kg/m cm2 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1
24 71.1 90.6 65 85 85 65 90
20 59.9 76.3 75 100 105 80 105
200 x 200
18 54.2 69.1 85 110 115 85 115
16 48.5 61.8 95 125 125 95 130
18 40.1 51.0 85 110 115 90 120
15 33.8 43.0 100 135 135 105 140
150 x 150
12 27.3 34.8 125 165 170 130 170
10 23.0 29.3 150 195 200 155 205
15 26.6 33.9 105 135 140 105 140
12 21.6 27.5 125 165 170 130 175
120 x 120
10 18.2 23.2 150 200 200 155 205
8 14.7 18.7 185 245 250 190 255
15 21.9 27.9 105 135 140 110 145
12 17.8 22.7 130 165 170 130 175
100 x 100
10 15.0 19.2 150 200 205 155 210
8 12.2 15.5 185 245 250 195 260
12 15.9 20.3 130 165 175 135 175
10 13.4 17.1 150 200 205 160 210
90 x 90
8 10.9 13.9 190 245 250 195 260
7 9.6 12.2 215 280 285 220 295
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Profile Box
Unequal Angles
3 sides 4 sides 3 sides 4 sides
(UKA)
Dimensions to
BS EN 10056-1:1999
Designation Mass
Area of
Size Thickness per
section
DxB t metre
mm mm kg cm2 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1
18 47.1 60.0 115 115 90 80 115 90 85 90 85 115
200 x
15 39.6 50.5 135 135 105 95 135 110 100 110 100 140
150
12 32.0 40.8 165 165 130 120 170 135 125 135 125 170
15 33.7 43.0 135 135 115 90 135 115 95 115 95 140
200 x
12 27.3 34.8 165 165 140 110 170 145 115 145 115 170
100
10 23.0 29.2 200 200 165 130 200 170 135 170 135 205
15 26.6 33.9 135 135 110 95 140 115 95 115 95 140
150 x
12 21.6 27.5 170 170 140 115 170 140 120 140 120 175
90
10 18.2 23.2 200 200 165 140 205 170 145 170 145 205
15 24.8 31.7 135 135 115 90 140 120 95 120 95 140
150 x
12 20.2 25.7 170 170 140 115 170 145 115 145 115 175
75
10 17.0 21.7 200 200 170 135 205 175 140 175 140 210
12 17.8 22.7 170 170 140 115 170 145 120 145 120 175
125 x
10 15.0 19.1 200 200 165 140 205 170 145 170 145 210
75
8 12.2 15.5 250 250 205 170 250 210 180 210 180 260
12 15.4 19.7 170 170 135 125 175 140 125 140 125 180
100 x
10 13.0 16.6 205 205 160 145 205 165 150 165 150 210
75
8 10.6 13.5 250 250 200 180 255 205 185 205 185 260
10 12.3 15.6 205 205 165 140 205 170 145 170 145 210
100 x
8 9.9 12.7 250 250 200 175 255 210 180 210 180 260
65
7 8.8 11.2 285 285 230 200 290 235 205 235 205 295
NB – Data on older and other steel sections can be found on ASFP website/technical section
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Profile Box
Tees (UKT) 3 sides 4 sides 3 sides 4 sides
Split from UK Beams

Web
Width of
Serial Mass per Depth of thicknes Area of
section
size metre section D s section
B
t
mm kg mm mm mm cm2 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1 m-1
254 x 343 62.6 253.0 338.9 11.7 79.73 115 145 145 115 115 150
119.0 311.4 317.9 18.4 152 60 80 80 60 60 85
305 x 305 89.5 307.1 310.0 14.1 114.03 80 105 105 80 80 110
74.6 304.8 306.1 11.8 95.01 95 125 125 95 95 130
69.9 230.2 308.5 13.1 89.08 95 120 120 95 95 120
62.5 229.0 306.0 11.9 79.66 105 130 135 105 105 135
229 x 305
56.5 228.2 303.7 11.1 71.96 115 145 145 115 115 150
50.6 227.6 301.2 10.5 64.45 125 160 160 130 130 165
50.1 179.2 303.7 11.3 63.9 120 150 150 125 125 150
178 x 305 46.1 178.8 301.5 10.9 58.7 130 160 160 135 135 165
40.9 177.9 299.3 10.0 52.1 145 180 180 150 150 185
136.7 320.2 288.8 21.1 174 50 70 70 50 50 70
109.4 317.4 280.4 18.3 139 60 85 85 65 65 85
312 x 267
90.7 314.5 275.6 15.2 116 75 100 100 75 75 100
75.3 312.0 271.5 12.7 95.9 90 120 120 90 120 120
69.1 213.9 274.5 14.7 23.6 85 110 110 85 85 110
61.0 211.9 272.2 12.7 77.69 95 120 125 95 95 125
54.5 210.8 269.7 11.6 69.43 105 135 135 110 110 140
210 x 267
50.5 210.0 268.3 10.8 64.33 115 145 145 115 115 150
46.0 209.3 266.5 10.1 58.68 125 160 160 125 125 160
41.1 208.8 264.1 9.6 52.34 140 175 180 140 140 180
42.3 166.5 267.1 10.3 54.0 130 155 160 130 130 160
165 x 267 37.4 165.9 264.5 9.7 47.6 145 175 180 145 145 180
32.8 165.1 262.4 8.9 41.9 160 200 200 165 165 205
80.7 199.4 246.0 18.0 103 65 85 85 65 65 85
66.6 196.7 240.3 15.3 84.9 80 100 100 80 80 105
52.9 194.0 234.6 12.6 67.4 95 125 125 100 100 125
49.1 192.8 233.5 11.4 62.62 105 135 135 105 105 135
191 x 229
44.6 191.9 231.6 10.5 58.87 115 145 145 115 115 150
41.0 191.3 229.9 9.9 52.23 125 160 160 125 125 160
37.1 190.4 228.4 9.0 47.31 135 175 175 135 135 175
33.5 189.9 226.6 8.5 42.75 150 190 195 150 150 195
41.0 155.3 232.8 10.5 52.26 115 145 145 120 120 150
152 x 229 37.1 154.4 230.9 9.6 47.23 130 160 160 130 130 165
33.6 153.8 228.9 9.0 42.77 140 175 175 145 145 180
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Profile Box
Tees (UKT) 3 sides 4 sides 3 sides 4 sides
Split from UK Beams

Web
Width of
Serial Mass per Depth of thicknes Area of
section
size metre section D s section
B
t
29.9 152.9 227.2 8.1 38.11 155 195 195 160 160 200
152 x 229
26.1 152.4 224.8 7.6 33.31 180 220 225 180 180 225
42.6 181.9 208.6 10.9 54.3 110 140 140 110 110 145
37.1 179.5 206.3 9.5 47.24 125 160 160 125 125 165
178 x 203 33.5 178.8 204.6 8.8 42.76 135 175 175 140 140 180
30.0 177.9 203.1 7.9 38.25 150 195 195 155 155 200
27.0 177.7 201.2 7.7 34.47 165 215 215 170 170 220
26.6 143.3 203.3 7.9 34.0 160 200 200 160 160 205
140 x 203 23.0 142.2 201.5 6.8 29.31 185 230 230 185 185 235
19.5 141.8 198.9 6.4 24.82 215 270 270 215 215 275
33.5 173.2 181.6 9.1 42.74 125 160 165 125 125 165
28.5 172.2 178.9 8.1 36.27 145 190 190 145 145 195
171 x 178
25.5 171.5 177.4 7.4 32.44 160 210 210 160 160 215
22.5 171.1 175.6 7.0 28.66 180 235 240 180 180 240
19.5 126.0 176.6 6.6 24.88 190 235 240 195 195 245
127 x 178
16.5 125.4 174.4 6.0 21.06 220 280 280 225 225 285
27.0 166.9 155.1 7.9 34.38 135 185 185 140 140 185
165 x 152 23.0 165.7 153.2 6.7 29.37 160 210 215 160 160 215
20.1 165.0 151.6 6.0 25.65 180 240 245 185 185 245
24.0 125.3 155.4 9.0 30.61 140 180 180 140 140 185
127 x 152 20.9 124.3 153.5 8.0 26.69 160 200 205 160 160 210
18.5 123.4 152.1 7.1 23.58 180 225 230 180 180 235
16.4 102.4 156.3 6.6 20.91 195 240 245 200 200 245
102 x 152 14.1 101.8 154.3 6.0 17.93 225 280 280 230 230 285
12.4 101.6 152.5 5.8 15.80 255 315 320 255 255 320
21.5 147.3 129.7 7.2 27.38 145 195 200 150 150 200
146 x 127 18.5 146.4 127.9 6.3 23.58 170 225 230 170 170 235
15.5 146.1 125.6 6.0 19.83 195 270 270 200 200 275
14.1 102.2 130.1 6.3 18.03 195 250 255 200 200 260
102 x 127 12.6 101.9 128.5 6.0 16.01 220 280 285 225 225 290
11.0 101.6 126.9 5.7 14.00 250 320 320 255 255 325
15.0 133.9 103.3 6.4 19.10 175 240 245 180 180 250
133 x 102
12.5 133.2 101.5 5.7 15.98 205 285 290 210 210 295
th
TABLE 10: October 2006 Section factor A/V (Hp/A)
Profile Box
Structural Tees Split from UK
3 sides 4 sides 3 sides 4 sides
Columns
Width of Depth of Web
Serial Mass per Area of
section section thickness
size metre section
B D t
79.0 311.2 163.5 15.8 100.67 60 90 95 65 65 95
68.4 309.2 160.2 13.8 87.20 70 105 105 70 70 110
305 x 152
58.9 307.4 157.2 12.0 75.10 80 120 120 85 85 125
48.4 305.3 153.9 9.9 61.72 95 145 145 100 100 150
83.5 265.2 1144.5 19.2 106 50 75 75 50 50 75
66.0 261.3 138.1 15.3 84.06 65 90 95 65 65 95
254 x 127 53.5 258.8 133.3 12.8 68.18 75 110 115 75 75 115
44.4 256.3 130.1 10.3 56.65 90 135 135 90 90 135
36.5 254.6 127.0 8.6 46.55 105 160 160 110 110 165
63.7 213.9 120.7 18.1 81.2 55 80 80 55 55 80
56.7 212.1 117.5 16.3 72.3 60 90 90 60 60 90
49.8 210.3 114.3 14.5 63.4 70 100 100 70 70 100
43.0 209.1 111.0 12.7 54.81 75 115 115 80 80 115
203 x 102
35.5 206.4 107.8 10.0 45.20 90 135 135 95 95 140
30.0 205.8 104.7 9.4 38.18 105 160 160 110 110 165
26.0 204.3 103.0 7.9 33.13 120 180 185 125 125 185
23.0 203.6 101.5 7.2 29.36 135 200 205 140 140 210
25.6 157.4 85.1 11.0 32.6 100 145 145 100 100 150
22.0 155.9 83.0 9.5 28.0 110 165 170 115 115 170
152 x 76 18.5 154.4 80.8 8.0 23.55 130 195 195 135 135 200
15.0 152.9 78.7 6.5 19.12 160 235 240 160 180 240
11.5 152.2 76.1 5.8 14.62 205 305 310 210 210 310
TABLE 11: July 06

ROLLED TEES
NOTE: Whilst this ASFP publication has previously included listings for 4 sizes of ‘rolled tees’ we are
informed by Corus Construction & Industrial Division that ‘rolled tees’ are no longer available from their
current manufacturing facilities
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Section factor A/V Table 13:Oct 06 Section factor A/V
(Hp/A) (Hp/A)
Table 12: October 2006
Square Hollow
Circular Hollow Sections Sections
Profile or box 3 sides 4 sides
Dimensions to EN 10210 Dimensions to

S355J2H EN 10210
S355J2H
Designation
Wall Area of Size Wall Area of
Outside Mass per Mass per
thickness the D x D thickness the
diameter metre metre
t section a t section a
mm mm Kg/m cm2 m-1 mm mm Kg/m cm2 m-1 m-1
2.6 1.20 1.53 440 440 3.0 3.41 4.34 275 370
21.3 2.9 1.32 1.68 400 400 3.2 3.61 4.60 260 350
3.2 1.43 1.82 370 370 40 x 40 3.6 4.01 5.10 235 315
2.6 1.56 1.98 425 425 4.0 4.39 5.59 215 290
26.9 2.9 1.72 2.19 385 385 5.0 5.28 6.73 180 240
3.2 1.87 2.38 355 355 3.0 4.35 5.54 270 365
2.6 1.99 2.54 415 415 3.2 4.62 5.88 255 340
2.9 2.20 2.81 375 375 3.6 5.14 6.54 230 305
50 x 50
33.7 3.2 2.41 3.07 345 345 4.0 5.64 7.19 210 280
3.6 2.67 3.40 310 310 5.0 6.85 8.73 175 230
4.0 2.93 3.73 285 285 6.3 8.31 10.6 140 190
2.6 2.55 3.25 410 410 3.0 5.29 6.74 270 360
2.9 2.82 3.60 370 370 3.2 5.62 7.16 250 335
3.2 3.09 3.94 340 340 3.6 6.27 7.98 225 300
42.4
3.6 3.44 4.39 305 305 60 x 60 4.0 6.90 8.79 205 275
4.0 3.79 4.83 275 275 5.0 8.42 10.7 170 225
5.0 4.61 5.87 230 230 6.3 10.3 13.1 140 185
2.9 3.25 4.14 365 365 8.0 12.5 16.0 115 150
3.2 3.56 4.53 335 335 3.0 6.24 7.94 265 355
48.3 3.6 3.97 5.06 300 300 3.2 6.63 8.44 250 335
4.0 4.37 5.57 270 270 3.6 7.40 9.42 225 300
5.0 5.34 6.80 225 225 70 x 70 4.0 8.15 10.4 205 270
2.9 4.11 5.23 360 360 5.0 9.99 12.7 165 220
3.2 4.51 5.74 330 330 6.3 12.3 15.6 135 180
60.3 3.6 5.03 6.41 295 295 8.0 15.0 19.2 110 145
4.0 5.55 7.07 270 270 3.0 7.18 9.14 265 350
5.0 6.82 8.69 220 220 3.2 7.63 9.72 250 330
2.9 5.24 6.67 358 358 3.6 8.53 10.9 220 295
3.2 5.75 7.33 325 325 80 x 80 4.0 9.41 12.0 200 270
3.6 6.44 8.20 290 290 5.0 11.6 14.7 165 220
76.1
4.0 7.11 9.06 265 265 6.3 14.2 18.1 135 180
5.0 8.77 11.2 215 215 8.0 17.5 22.4 110 145
6.3 10.80 13.8 175 175 3.6 9.66 12.3 220 295
2.9 6.15 7.84 355 355 4.0 10.7 13.6 200 265
3.2 6.76 8.62 325 325 90 x 90 5.0 13.1 16.7 160 215
3.6 7.57 9.65 290 290 6.3 16.2 20.7 130 175
88.9
4.0 8.38 10.7 260 260 8.0 20.1 25.6 105 140
5.0 10.3 13.2 210 210 100 x 100 3.6 10.8 13.7 220 295
6.3 12.8 16.3 170 170 4.0 11.9 15.2 200 265
table continued overleaf table continued overleaf
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(Hp/A) (Hp/A)
Square Hollow

S355J2H EN 10210
S355J2H
Designation
3.2 8.77 11.2 320 320 5.0 14.7 18.7 160 215
114.3 100 x 100
3.6 9.83 12.5 285 285 6.3 18.2 23.2 130 175
4.0 10.9 13.9 260 260 8.0 22.6 28.8 104 140
100 x 100
114.3 5.0 13.5 17.2 210 210 10.0 27.4 34.9 90 115
6.3 16.8 21.4 170 170 4.0 14.4 18.4 195 260
3.2 10.8 13.7 320 320 5.0 17.8 22.7 160 215
3.6 12.1 15.4 285 285 6.3 22.2 28.2 130 170
120 x 120
4.0 13.4 17.1 255 255 8.0 27.6 35.2 105 140
139.7 5.0 16.6 21.2 205 205 10.0 33.7 42.9 85 115
6.3 20.7 26.4 165 165 12.5 40.9 52.1 70 95
8.0 26.0 33.1 135 135 5.0 21.0 26.7 160 210
10.0 32.0 40.7 110 110 6.3 26.1 33.3 130 170
5.0 20.1 25.7 205 205 140x 140 8.0 32.6 41.6 100 135
6.3 25.2 32.1 165 165 10.0 40.0 50.9 85 110
168.3 8.0 31.6 40.3 130 130 12.5 48.7 62.1 70 90
10.0 39.0 49.7 105 105 5.0 22.6 28.7 160 210
12.5 48.0 61.2 85 85 6.3 28.1 35.8 125 170
5.0 23.3 29.6 205 205 8.0 35.1 44.8 100 135
150 x 150
6.3 29.1 37.1 165 165 10.0 43.1 54.9 85 110
193.7 8.0 36.6 46.7 130 130 12.5 52.7 67.1 70 90
10.0 45.3 57.7 105 105 16.00 65.2 83.0 55 75
12.5 55.9 71.2 85 85 5.0 24.1 30.7 160 210
5.0 26.4 33.6 205 205 6.3 30.1 38.3 125 170
6.3 33.1 42.1 165 165 8.0 37.6 48.0 100 135
8.0 41.6 53.1 130 130 160 x 160 10.0 46.3 58.9 85 110
219.1 10.0 51.6 65.7 105 105 12.5 56.6 72.1 70 90
12.5 63.7 81.1 85 85 14.2 63.3 80.7 60 80
14.2 71.8 91.4 75 75 16.0 70.2 89.4 55 75
16.0 80.1 102 65 65 5.0 27.3 34.7 155 210
5.0 29.5 37.6 205 205 6.3 34.0 43.3 125 170
6.3 37.0 47.1 165 165 8.0 42.7 54.4 100 135
8.0 46.7 59.4 130 130 180 x 180 10.0 52.5 66.9 80 110
244.5 10.0 57.8 73.7 105 105 12.5 64.4 82.1 65 90
12.5 71.5 91.1 85 85 14.2 72.2 92.0 60 80
14.2 80.6 103 75 75 16.0 80.2 102 55 70
16.0 90.2 115 65 65 200 x 200 5.0 30.4 38.7 155 210
5.0 33.0 42.1 205 205 6.3 38.0 48.4 125 165
6.3 41.4 52.8 160 160 8.0 47.7 60.8 100 135
273
8.0 52.3 66.6 130 130 10.0 58.8 74.9 85 110
10.0 64.9 82.6 105 105 12.5 72.3 92.1 65 90
table continued overleaf table continued overleaf
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(Hp/A) (Hp/A)
Square Hollow

S355J2H EN 10210
S355J2H
Designation
12.5 80.3 102 85 85 14.2 81.1 103 60 80
200 x 200
273 14.2 90.6 115 75 75 16.0 90.3 115 55 70
16.0 101 129 65 65 5.0 38.3 48.7 155 205
250 x 250
323.9 5.0 39.3 50.1 205 205 6.3 47.9 61.0 125 165
6.3 49.3 62.9 160 160 8.0 60.3 76.8 100 130
8.0 62.3 79.4 130 130 10.0 74.5 94.9 80 105
10.0 77.4 98.6 105 105 250 x 250 12.5 91.9 117 65 85
323.9
12.5 96.0 122 85 85 14.2 103 132 60 75
14.2 108 138 75 75 16.0 115 147 55 70
16.0 121 155 65 65 6.3 49.9 63.5 125 165
6.3 54.3 69.1 160 160 8.0 62.8 80.0 100 130
8.0 68.6 87.4 130 130 10.0 77.7 98.9 80 105
260 x 260
10.0 85.2 109 100 100 12.5 95.8 122 65 85
355.6
12.5 106 135 85 85 14.2 108 137 60 75
14.2 120 152 75 75 16.0 120 153 55 70
16.0 134 171 65 65 6.3 57.8 73.6 125 165
6.3 62.2 79.2 160 160 8.0 72.8 92.8 100 130
8.0 78.6 100 130 130 10.0 90.2 115 80 105
300 x 300
10.0 97.8 125 100 100 12.5 112 142 65 85
406.4
12.5 121 155 80 80 14.2 126 160 60 75
14.2 137 175 75 75 16.0 141 179 50 70
16.0 154 196 65 65 8.0 85.4 109 100 130
6.3 70.0 89.2 160 160 10.0 106 135 80 105
8.0 88.6 113 130 130 350 x 350 12.5 131 167 65 85
10.0 110 140 105 105 14.2 148 189 55 75
457
12.5 137 175 80 80 16.0 166 211 50 70
14.2 155 198 75 75 8.0 97.9 125 100 130
16.0 174 222 65 65 10.0 122 155 80 105
6.3 77.9 99.3 160 160 12.5 151 192 65 85
400 x 400
8.0 98.6 126 125 125 14.2 170 217 55 75
10.0 123 156 100 100 16.0 191 243 50 70
508.0
12.5 153 195 80 80 20.0 235 300 40 55
14.2 173 220 75 75
16.0 194 247 65 65
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Table 14: 2006 Section factor A/V (Hp/A)
3 sides 4 sides
Rectangular Hollow Sections
Dimensions to EN 10210 S355J2H

Designation Area of the
Mass per metre
Size D x B Thickness t section
mm mm Kg cm2 m-1 m-1 m-1
3.0 3.41 4.34 300 255 370
3.2 3.61 4.60 285 240 350
50 x 30 3.6 4.01 5.10 255 215 315
4.0 4.39 5.59 235 200 290
5.0 5.28 6.73 195 165 240
3.0 4.35 5.54 290 255 365
3.2 4.62 5.88 275 240 340
3.6 5.14 6.54 245 215 305
60 x 40
4.0 5.64 7.19 225 195 280
5.0 6.85 8.73 185 160 230
6.3 8.31 10.6 150 135 190
3.0 5.29 6.74 300 240 360
3.2 5.62 7.16 280 225 335
3.6 6.27 7.98 250 200 300
80 x 40 4.0 6.90 8.79 230 185 275
5.0 8.42 10.7 190 150 225
6.3 10.3 13.1 155 125 185
8.0 12.5 16.0 125 100 150
3.0 6.24 7.94 290 240 355
3.2 6.63 8.44 275 225 335
3.6 7.40 9.42 245 205 300
90 x 50 4.0 8.15 10.4 225 185 270
5.0 9.99 12.7 185 150 220
6.3 12.3 15.6 150 125 180
8.0 15.0 19.2 120 100 150
3.0 6.71 8.54 295 235 355
3.2 7.13 9.08 275 220 330
3.6 7.96 10.1 250 200 300
4.0 8.78 11.2 225 180 270
100 x 50
5.0 10.8 13.7 185 150 220
6.3 13.3 16.9 150 120 180
8.0 16.3 20.8 120 100 145
10.0 19.6 24.9 100 80 120
3.0 7.18 9.14 285 240 350
3.2 7.63 9.72 270 230 330
3.6 8.53 10.9 240 205 295
100 x 60 4.0 9.41 12.0 220 185 270
5.0 11.6 14.7 180 150 220
6.3 14.2 18.1 145 125 180
8.0 17.5 22.4 120 100 145
3.6 9.66 12.3 245 195 300
4.0 10.7 13.6 220 180 265
5.0 13.1 16.7 180 145 215
120 x 60
6.3 16.2 20.7 145 120 175
8.0 20.1 25.6 120 95 140
10.0 24.3 30.9 100 80 120
th
3 sides 4 sides

Mass per metre
3.6 10.8 13.7 235 205 295
4.0 11.9 15.2 210 185 265
5.0 14.7 18.7 175 150 215
120 x 80
6.3 18.2 23.2 140 120 175
8.0 22.6 28.8 115 100 140
10.0 27.4 34.9 95 80 115
4.0 15.1 19.2 210 185 260
5.0 18.6 23.7 170 150 215
6.3 23.1 29.5 135 120 170
150 x 100
8.0 28.9 36.8 110 95 135
10.0 35.3 44.9 90 80 115
12.5 42.8 54.6 75 65 95
4.0 16.6 21.2 200 190 260
5.0 20.6 26.2 165 155 210
6.3 25.6 32.6 130 125 170
150 x 125
8.0 32.0 40.8 105 100 135
10.0 39.2 49.9 85 80 110
12.5 47.7 60.8 70 70 90
4.0 14.4 18.4 220 175 260
5.0 17.8 22.7 180 145 215
6.3 22.2 28.2 145 115 170
160 x 80
8.0 27.6 35.2 115 95 140
10.0 33.7 42.9 95 75 115
12.5 40.9 52.1 80 65 95
5.0 22.6 28.7 175 140 210
6.3 28.1 35.8 140 115 170
8.0 35.1 44.8 110 90 135
200 x 100
10.0 43.1 54.9 95 75 110
12.5 52.7 67.1 75 60 90
16.0 65.2 83.0 60 50 75
5.0 24.1 30.7 170 145 210
6.3 30.1 38.3 140 115 170
8.0 37.6 48.0 110 95 135
200 x 120 10.0 46.3 58.9 90 75 110
12.5 56.6 72.1 75 65 90
14.2 63.3 80.7 65 55 80
16.0 70.2 89.4 60 50 75
5.0 26.5 33.7 165 150 210
6.3 33.0 42.1 135 120 170
8.0 41.4 52.8 105 95 135
200 x 150 10.0 51.0 64.9 80 80 110
12.5 62.5 79.6 70 65 90
14.2 70.0 89.2 65 60 80
16.0 77.7 99.0 55 55 70
250 x 100 5.0 26.5 33.7 180 135 210
6.3 33.0 42.1 145 110 170
8.0 41.4 52.8 115 85 135
th
3 sides 4 sides

Mass per metre
10.0 51.0 64.9 95 70 110
12.5 62.5 79.6 75 60 90
14.2 70.0 89.2 70 50 80
16.0 77.7 99.0 65 45 70
5.0 30.4 38.7 170 145 210
6.3 38.0 48.4 135 115 165
250 x 150
8.0 47.7 60.8 110 90 135
10.0 58.8 74.9 90 75 110
12.5 72.3 92.1 75 60 90
250 x 150 14.2 81.1 103 65 55 80
16.0 90.3 115 60 50 70
10.0 66.7 84.9 85 80 110
250 x 200 12.5 82.1 105 70 65 90
14.2 92.3 118 60 55 80
5.0 30.4 38.7 170 140 210
6.3 38.0 48.4 140 115 165
8.0 47.7 60.8 110 90 135
260 x 140 10.0 58.8 74.9 90 75 110
12.5 72.3 92.1 75 60 90
14.2 81.1 103 65 55 80
16.0 90.3 115 60 50 70
5.0 30.4 38.7 180 130 210
6.3 38.0 48.4 145 105 165
8.0 47.7 60.8 115 85 135
300 x 100 10.0 58.8 74.9 95 70 110
12.5 72.3 92.1 80 55 90
14.2 81.1 103 70 50 80
16.0 90.3 115 65 45 70
8.0 54.0 68.8 110 90 130
10.0 66.7 84.9 90 70 110
300 x 150 12.5 82.1 105 75 60 90
14.2 92.3 118 65 55 80
16.0 103 131 60 50 70
5.0 38.3 48.7 165 145 205
6.3 47.9 61.0 135 115 165
8.0 60.3 76.8 105 95 130
300 x 200 10.0 74.5 94.9 85 75 105
12.5 91.9 117 70 60 85
14.2 103 132 60 55 75
16.0 115 147 55 50 70
6.3 52.8 67.3 130 120 165
8.0 66.5 84.8 100 95 130
10.0 82.4 105 85 80 105
300 x 250
12.5 102 130 65 65 85
14.2 115 146 60 55 75
16.0 128 163 55 50 70
350 x 150 6.3 47.9 61.0 140 110 165
th
3 sides 4 sides

Mass per metre
8.0 60.3 76.8 110 85 130
10.0 74.5 94.9 90 70 105
12.5 91.9 117 75 55 85
14.2 103 132 65 50 75
16.0 115 147 60 45 70
6.3 57.8 73.6 130 115 165
350 x 250 8.0 72.8 92.8 105 95 130
10.0 90.2 115 85 75 105
12.5 112 142 70 60 85
350 x 250 14.2 126 160 60 55 75
16.0 141 179 55 50 70
400 x 120 6.3 49.9 63.5 145 100 165
8.0 62.8 80.0 115 80 130
10.0 77.7 98.9 95 65 105
400 x 120 12.5 95.8 122 75 55 85
14.2 108 137 70 50 80
16.0 120 153 65 45 70
6.3 52.8 67.3 145 105 165
8.0 66.5 84.8 115 85 130
10.0 82.4 105 90 70 105
400 x 150
12.5 102 130 75 55 85
14.2 115 146 65 50 75
16.0 128 163 60 45 70
6.3 57.8 73.6 140 110 165
8.0 72.8 92.8 110 90 130
10.0 90.2 115 90 70 105
400 x 200
12.5 112 142 70 60 85
14.2 126 160 65 50 75
16.0 141 179 60 45 70
8.0 85.4 109 105 95 130
10.0 106 135 85 75 105
400 x 300 12.5 131 167 70 60 85
14.2 148 189 60 55 75
16.0 166 211 55 50 70
8.0 85.4 109 105 90 130
10.0 106 135 85 70 105
450 x 250 12.5 131 167 70 60 85
14.2 148 189 65 50 75
16.0 166 211 55 45 70
8.0 85.4 109 110 85 130
10.0 106 135 90 70 105
500 x 200 12.5 131 167 75 55 85
14.2 148 189 65 50 75
16.0 166 211 60 45 70
500 x 300 8.0 97.9 125 105 90 130
10.0 122 155 85 75 105
12.5 151 192 70 60 85
th
3 sides 4 sides

Mass per metre
14.2 170 217 60 50 75
16.0 191 243 55 45 70
20.0 235 300 45 40 55
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Table 15: July 06
CASTELLATED SECTIONS
Castellated Universal Beams Castellated Universal Beams (continued) Castellated Universal Columns
Serial size Serial size Serial size

Mass per metre Mass per metre Mass per metre
Original Castellated Original Castellated Original Castellated
mm mm kg mm mm kg mm mm kg
388 82 634
914 x 419 1371 x 419
343 74 551
289 457 x 152 686 x 152 67 467
253 60 356 x 406 546 x 406 393
914 x 305 1371 x 305
224 52 340
201 74 287
226 67 235
406 x 178 609 x 178
838 x 292 1257 x 292 194 60 202
176 54 177
356 x 368 534 x 368
197 46 153
406 x 140 609 x 140
762 x 267 1143 x 267 173 39 129
147 67 283
170 57 240
356 x 171 534 x 171
152 51 198
686 x 254 1029 x 254
140 45 305 x 305 458 x 305 158
125 39 137
356 x 127 534 x 127
238 33 118
610 x 305 915 x 305 179 54 97
149 305 x 165 458 x 165 46 167
140 40 132
125 48 254 x 254 381 x 254 107
610 x 229 915 x 229
113 305 x 127 458 x 127 42 89
101 37 73
122 33 86
109 305 x 102 458 x 102 28 71
533 x 210 800 x 210 101 25 203 x 203 305 x 203 60
92 43 52
82 254 x 146 381 x 146 37 46
98 31 37
89 28 152 x 152 228 x 152 30
82 254 x 102 381 x 102 25 23
457 x 191 686 x 191
74 22
67 30
203 x 133 305 x 133
25
Cellular beams
To accommodate building service within the beam depth, steel beams are now available with a variety of web apertures, to form cellular and
castellated beams. Whilst hexagonal, rectangular and elongated lozenge shaped apertures are available, circular apertures are the most
common. A mixture of such aperture shapes is also possible. See Section 6.
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2. STRUCTURAL FIRE ENGINEERING
Many structural design codes now include “fire resistant” design. In the UK the relevant design code is BS 5950
Part 8: 2003 and is called “Code of practice for fire resistant design”. In the Eurocodes, EC3 is the design code for
steel and EC4 is the code for composite steel and concrete structures. The fire resistant design parts of these
codes is Part 1.2 (EN 1993-1-2 and EN1994-1-2). All these codes cover the design of a number of types of steel
element and include the calculation of the temperatures of fire protected steel. The guidance of ENV 13381-4 is
recommended. An important feature of these codes is that they introduce the concept of a variable steel failure
temperature - the limiting steel temperature before the critical failure temperature is reached.
All Eurocodes have National Annexes. These are “official” national deviations from the published codes and for
EC3 -1-2 and EC4 – 1-2 these are expected to be published during 2007. A National Annex normally contains
small changes to safety factors to bring the Eurocode in line with existing national standards. They also contain
guidance on the use of Informative Annexes. Section 8.3.1 of BS 5950-8 states that where recommendations (for
limiting temperatures) are made when factored loads for the fire limit state differ from those applied in the tests they
should be prepared by a suitably qualified person
For the purpose of assessing the thickness of fire protection materials, a detailed knowledge of these codes is not
required but the basic concepts are explained below.
2.1 Strength of steel at elevated temperature
As steel is heated it will gain strength up to a temperature of about 200°C and then, on further heating, lose
strength. It melts at about 1600°C. The variation of strength retention factor with temperature for the normal
structural steels S275 to S355 at strain(%) of 1.5 is given in Table 16. The effect of the initial gain in strength is
normally ignored. The values given are taken from BS 5950-8: 2003. For other grades expert advice should be
sought. However, for stainless steel the data may be used as it loses strength more slowly with increasing
temperature.
In all design there is a built in factor of safety, based on strength, of at least 1.5 and for various reasons designers
may chose to use a higher factor. In fire, it is permissible to reduce this factor to 1.0, or less, and thus, a steel
element (beam or column) will be able to resist the applied loads at temperatures in excess of 500°C. The exact
temperature will depend on the type of element and the initial “cold” factor of safety.
Table 16 Variation of the effective yield strength factor of normal structural steels with temperature
Temperature
20 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
(°C)
Effective yield
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 0.956 0.756 0.460 0.223 0.108
strength factor
Note: The factors are applied to the “cold” strength of the steel to obtain the elevated temperature strength.
For example, at 600°C the effective yield strength of S275 steel is 0.46 x 275 = 126.5 N/mm2
2.2 Load ratio

BS 5950-8 uses the concept of load ratio as a measure of the applied load that a member can resist at the time of a
fire. The Eurocodes use a similar concept of load level. The load ratio is defined as:
Load or moment at time of fire
Load ratio
Member strength at 20°C
The load ratio can be seen as the ratio of the factors of safety for fire and normal design. If the factor of safety used
for the original, “cold”, design was, say, 1.7 and the factor for fire was 1.0, then the load ratio would be 1/1.7, i.e.
0.59. Often, the permitted factor of safety for fire design is less than unity, in which case, the load ratio, in the
example, might be less than 0.59. This would arise because BS 5950-8 allows the imposed load on floors to be
reduced to 80% of the nominal value in many cases and the Eurocodes allow the imposed load to be reduced to
50%. These reductions in loading can be justified using statistical evidence of actual measured imposed floor
loading.
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The load ratio is a useful concept because it allows different size elements to be considered in the same way. A
200 mm deep beam will fail at approximately the same temperature as a 400mm deep beam if they are both
working at the same load ratio. In practical designs the load ratio will vary from 0.45 to 0.55. Load ratios much
higher than 0.6 are very rare although the maximum value could be as high as 0.7 for an element carrying purely
the dead weight of the structure!
For a given load or stress level, the maximum permitted temperature is termed the critical temperature in the
Eurocodes and the limiting temperature in BS 5950-8. The appraisal of the limiting or critical temperature of any
member should be only be carried out by a qualified engineer [registered with the UK Engineering Council] and will
normally be made by the consulting engineer for the job. In essence, the steel member will function satisfactorily at
the limiting temperature but fail at higher temperatures.
For illustrative purposes only, the load ratios and limiting temperatures for columns and laterally restrained beams
supporting concrete slabs or composite slabs (the most common type in multistorey buildings) are given in
Table 17. The data is extracted from Table 8 of BS 5950-8:2003.
Also see more detail in Section 1.5.2
Table 17: Limiting temperature for columns and beams

Limiting temperature (°C) for a load ratio of:
Description of member
0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2
Typical column in compression in
510 540 580 615 655 710
multistorey building
Non-composite beam supporting
concrete slabs or composite slabs in 590 620 650 680 725 780
multistorey building
Composite beams supporting concrete
or composite slabs, with 100% shear 550 580 610 645 685 740
connection
NOTE - SCI 4 November 1997 –‘The existing temperatures of 550C and 620C are acceptable for most circumstances, but they
are not always conservative. A suitable statement must be provided in all contracts and quotations’
2.3 Composite beams and voids

When a composite beam is constructed using a profiled steel deck, a potential void is created between the deck
and the top flange of the beam. With open trapezoidal steel decks this void is comparatively large and could be
180mm wide and 60mm high. With a “closed dovetail” deck the void is much smaller with an opening of between
12 and 15mm. In the case of the open trapezoidal deck the fire resistance of the composite beam may be reduced
because of the effects of additional heat entering the steel beam through the top surface of the flange. The effect of
filling or not filling voids was investigated by SCI and ASFP and others in a series of fire tests NEWMAN, G.M.,
LAWSON, R. M. Technical Report: The fire resistance of composite beams Steel Construction Institute, P109,
1991.
Although it is very rare for a steel beam supporting a composite floor slab not to be designed to act compositely with
the floor slab, a fire protection contractor will normally not be able to tell whether a beam is composite simply by
visual inspection. In a finished beam, the shear connectors will be covered by the floor slab and so the contractor
will have to obtain confirmation from an appropriate engineer.
Recommendations were prepared by SCI on situations when voids could be left unfilled. This was published
separately by SCI and ASFP. The guidance was originally based on the protection thickness for the beam being
taken from the 2nd Edition (Revised) of this publication and was based on limiting temperatures of either 550°C or
620°C.
When the void above a composite beam is left unfilled two effects occur. Firstly, the rate at which heat enters the
section is increased. The temperatures of all parts of the section are increased, although the increase on the
bottom flange is small. Secondly, the increased temperatures cause the section to lose strength at a faster rate.
These two effects can both be expressed in terms of a temperature increase compared to a protected beam with
“filled voids” carrying the same loading. For 60 minutes fire resistance the effective increase is approximately 70°C
and for 90 minutes the effective increase is 90°C. These increases should be subtracted from the temperature,
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based on load carrying capacity, in assessing the fire protection requirements. Thus, if based on BS 5950-8 the
limiting temperature is 630°C, a beam with unfilled voids should be considered to be at 560°C for 60 minutes or
540°C for 90 minutes fire resistance. This analysis has been carried out for beams with a high degree of shear
connection and is conservative for beams designed with a low degree of shear connection.
The temperature modifications are appropriate to both passive and reactive types of fire protection.
The existing guidance states that if the fire protection is based on a steel temperature of 550°C (for 60 minutes)
then no increase in fire protection thickness is required. A beam with unfilled voids will actually be at a temperature
of 550°C plus 70°C, i.e. 620°C. From BS 5950-8: 2003, the load ratio for offices at 610°C is 0.5.
For buildings with largely non-permanent loading (See 1.5) this level of loading is almost never exceeded so, no
increase in fire protection is required.
Voids at compartment walls
Voids must ordinarily be filled on beams that are part of a compartment wall otherwise the integrity and insulation
criteria of the wall will be breached. Voids may only be left unfilled on beams that do not form part of a compartment
wall.
For decks with the profile running parallel to beams no special recommendations are made for spray applied
materials but, for board protection, the boards should be taken past the edge of the flange to abut the underside of
the deck.
Table 18: Recommendations for beams assessed at 550°C or 620°C

(using section 1 of this publication)
This table is subject to the scope of the SCI report P109 as referenced in Clause 2.3 above.
Trapezoidal deck
Beam type Fire protection on beam Fire resistance (minutes)
Up to 60 90 Over 90
Increase thickness by 10
Materials assessed at % or assess thickness
Composite No increase in thickness Fill voids
550°C using A/V increased by
15%*
Increase thickness by 20 Increase thickness by 30
Materials assessed at % or assess thickness % or assess thickness
Composite Fill voids
620°C using A/V increased by using A/V increased by
30%* 50%*
Non-composite All types Fill voids above the flange
* The least onerous option may be used
For cellular beams - refer to manufacturers’ specific data and see Sections 6.1 and 6.2
Dovetail decks
Beam type Fire protection on beam Up to 60 90 Over 90
Any All types Voids may be left unfilled for all periods of fire resistance
For cellular beams refer to manufacturers’ specific data and see Sections 6.1 and 6.2
NOTE 1 - The ‘assessed at’ temperature relates to that used in the performance assessment document
(assessment) for beams subjected to maximum design stress as defined in BS 5950-1:2000 Structural use of steel
in building: Part 1 Code of Practice for design, for the required fire resistance period.
NOTE 2 - Where such assessment temperatures exceed 550 deg C, it is appropriate to use the 620 deg C value
when defining requirements, these to be applied to the thicknesses derived for the fully stressed beam(s).
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When filling voids above beams protected with a passive fire protection material it is not necessary to use the same
material to fill the voids as was used to protect the beam. Any non-combustible material with proven fire stopping
ability may be used. If, in Table 18 or 19, “fill voids” is specified and an intumescent coating is being used then it
may be interpreted that the upper surface of the top flange should have the same coating thickness as the other
parts of the beam. The physical filling of the void is not necessary, provided that the other fire resistance criteria for
any fire resisting walls, being penetrated by the beams, are also met [see 1.6.3].
If the protection to a beam is not based on any structural fire engineering analysis then the recommendations for
when voids may be left unfilled are given in Table 18. This applies to thicknesses specified using section 1 of this
publication. If the design specifies a limiting temperature the temperature modifications should be taken from Table
19. This applies to thicknesses specified using section 3 or 4 of this publication.
Table 19: Temperature modifications for beams with specified limiting temperature
Trapezoidal deck
Beam type Temperature reductions for fire resistance (minutes) of
30 60 90 Over 90
Composite 50°C 70°C 90°C Fill voids
Non-composite Fill voids
For cellular beams refer to manufacturers’ specific data and see Section 6.1 and 6.2
Dovetail decks
Beam type 30 60 90 Over 90
Any No temperature modifications are required
For cellular beams refer to manufacturers’ specific data and see Sections 6.1 and 6.2
Trapezoidal Deck Dovetail Deck
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3 TEST & ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES – GENERAL GUIDANCE
Methods of assessing the performance of fire protection materials have been developed in the UK which enable
the thickness of protection for a wide range of situations to be predicted. The assessment procedures were
developed by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection in consultation with Industry, with a view to:
1. Making assessments more consistent from different sources.
2. Establishing more consistent acceptance criteria.
3. Providing guidance to manufacturers on testing requirements.
4. Providing practical guidance for evaluation of constructions which are ‘un-testable’.
5. Consolidating available information on the performance of fire protection materials.
Separate procedures are given for intumescent coatings and passive materials in recognition of the technical
differences and physical performance characteristics of these materials.
Guidance on the test and assessment procedures of European Standard ENV 13381-4 is given in Section 6.
3.1 General information
The appropriate procedures detailed in this document have resulted from discussions of the ASFP Technical
Committee and the ASFP Technical Review Panel. These procedures are based on the best available
knowledge at the time of writing and are considered to provide a reliable means of evaluating the performance
of fire protection materials and coatings in terms of BS 476-21. The assessment procedures use data
generated either from tests on loaded beams and columns to BS 476-21, in conjunction with tests on unloaded
beams and columns exposed to the heating conditions specified in BS 476-20 or from tests on loaded /unloaded
beams and columns to the relevant part of EN13381. However, many factors can affect the performance of fire
protection materials and coatings under test conditions and some minor variation between the performance in
tests and that predicted by these assessment methods may occur.
The scope of a product assessment need not cover all the shapes and orientations detailed in this document.
For example, where a product is intended to be used only on beams, an assessment based on a loaded beam
test and other data from unloaded short sections may be used. The programme of tests need not be restricted
to one steelwork shape, but additional loaded tests may then be necessary.
Similarly an assessment need not cover all the steelwork shapes. An assessment can be restricted to one or
more shapes alone, e.g. “I“ sections only, but at least three loaded tests plus unloaded sections would be
required to cover both orientations and a range of thicknesses.
The assessments will be primarily based on test information from accredited 3rd party test laboratories
accredited to ISO 17025; e.g. UKAS accredited laboratories. Appropriate data from other independently
validated sources may be used to supplement the assessment but will not be used as the main basis of the
evaluation.
Where BS 476-21 or EN 13381 series does not provide full details of test procedures, the resolutions of the Fire
Test Study Group and the scheme described in “Test Procedures” Sections 3.2 and in 4.2 or 5.2, should be
followed for the particular type of protection systems
The potential fissuring, cracking or detachment of a fire protection material or coating may only become
apparent during full scale loaded fire resistance tests. The loaded tests are therefore designed to provide
information regarding the physical/mechanical performance of fire protection under the following conditions:
1. Vertical and horizontal orientations (columns and beams) as appropriate.
2. Maximum and minimum protection thicknesses.
3. Maximum and minimum fire resistance periods under consideration.
To demonstrate the retention of the fire protection material, loaded beam tests should be continued until the
deflection at mid-span reaches a minimum value of span/35. Loaded column tests should be continued until
structural failure is imminent.
3.2 General test procedures
The general procedures used for determining the fire resistance of load-bearing elements of structure are
specified in BS 476: Part 20 and 21: 1987.
Part 20 is concerned with general principles and covers common requirements
Part 21 covers the testing of load-bearing beams, columns, floors and walls
In assessing the performance of fire protection materials the relevant parts are:-
Part 20: Method of determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction (general principles) and
Part 21: Method of determination of the fire resistance of load-bearing elements of construction.
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The European standard ENV 13381-4 also makes reference to the European EN 1363 series of standards,
which contain general information about conducting fire resistance tests. However, as all the procedures for
assessing fire protection to structural steel are specified in ENV 13381-4 (a graphical method is being
reviewed), it is this standard which is generally referred to in this document, unless stated otherwise.
ENV 13381-4 has no parallel British Standard.
In both BS 476 and the new European Standards the performance of load-bearing steel beams and columns is
judged against the criteria of load-bearing capacity which is related to the ability of the element to remain in
place without excessive deformation.
Primary test evidence must be obtained from 3rd party test laboratories accredited to ISO 17025; e.g. UKAS
accredited laboratories or in a laboratory recognized by UKAS, operating in accordance with EN ISO 9000 or
EN 45000.
Loaded specimens should comply with the dimensional requirements of BS 476-21 or ENV 13381-4 and non-
loaded specimens used to provide temperature data should have a length of at least 1 metre.
1. To provide maximum information tests should ideally be continued until all steel sections have reached a
mean temperature of 700°C (or other maximum assessment temperature required by the sponsor).
2. If loadbearing capacity failure of a loaded beam occurs (or for columns is imminent) the load should be
removed and the test continued until the conditions given in 4 are achieved.
3. The mean steel temperature shall be calculated at intervals not exceeding 2 minutes and is defined as
follows:
I-section beams with three-sided exposure: (mean temperature of lower flange + mean web
temperature)/2.
I-section columns with four-sided exposure: (mean temperature of both flanges + mean web
temperature)/2.
RHS beams with three-sided exposure: mean temperature of the three exposed faces.
RHS/CHS columns with four-sided exposure: mean temperature of exposed face[s].
4. The load applied to loaded specimens shall either be equal to the maximum permissible load calculated
in accordance with BS 449-2 (including amendments 1 to 7 but excluding subsequent amendments) or
comply with the requirements of ENV 13381-4 and/or EN 13381-8 when the draft is agreed or published.
5. Stone mineral or ceramic fibre insulation should be provided between the top flange of all unloaded beam
sections and the concrete cover slabs.
6. Loaded beams shall be tested with their ends simply supported. Columns should be axially loaded with
their ends fixed (i.e. restrained in direction and against rotation).
In certain cases it may not be practical to comply with all the above requirements. In such cases all variations
should be agreed with the assessor and the reasons for, and details of the variation, will be included in the
assessment report.
3.3 General assessment procedures
ENV 13381-4 specifies a number of methods of analysis of the data generated by the specified programme of
tests. It is acceptable to adopt the methods given in this European standard subject to the criteria of
acceptability being met [see later]. The permitted extensions listed in this Standard may also be applied
provided that full data input set is available.
3.3.1 Assessment procedure and basis of assessment
Temperatures attained by steel sections
In practice the fire performance of steel sections will depend on their load ratio and the maximum allowable
steel temperature. The temperature of the steel at failure will vary, depending on these factors, and whether or
not the section is designed to act in composite action with the floor.
Critical, limiting and design temperatures
The ‘critical temperature’ is defined as the steel temperature at which failure of the structural steel
element is expected to occur against a given load level.
The ‘limiting temperature’ is the maximum temperature of the critical element of a member prior to failure
under specified fire conditions.
The ‘design temperature’ is the temperature determined by calculation at which failure of the structural steel
element is expected against a given load level at a particular location in a building
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4. TEST AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES – PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
4.1 Test programme - passive protection systems
For a passive fire protection material / product /system being evaluated to BS 476-21, a typical exploratory
testing programme would include the following combinations of steel sizes and orientations over the range of
manufactured/applied thicknesses.
Table 20
A/V Section factor A/V Section factor Thickness Factor
Profile Protection Box Protection K
Loaded steel I section beams
305 x 127mm x 42kg/m 180 140 1.0
305 x 127mm x 42kg/m 180 140 0.0
Loaded steel I section column
203 x 203mm x 52kg/m 180 125 1.0
1m long unloaded specimens
Beams
305 x 102mm x 25kg/m 285 225 0.2
305 x 102mm x 25kg/m 285 225 0.8
254 x 146mm x 31kg/m 230 160 0.5
254 x 146mm x 43kg/m 170 120 0.4
356 x 171mm x 67kg/m 140 105 0.5
356 x 171mm x 67kg/m 140 105 0.8
Columns
203 x 203mm x 52kg/m 180 125 1.0
254 x 254mm x 89kg/m 130 90 0.2
152 x 152mm x 30kg/m 235 160 0.0
254 x 254mm x 132kg/m 90 65 0.3
K = thickness factor = (dp - dpmin) / (dpmax - dpmin), where

dpmax = maximum thickness to be assessed (mm)
dpmin = minimum thickness to be assessed (mm)
dp = average thickness of fire protection material applied (mm)
If reinforcement is used over part of the thickness range additional loaded tests will be required.
Details of the programme of sections to be tested for the European Standard are given in ENV 13381-4. The
data from the fire tests is used for the UK assessment procedures without the inclusion of any of the correction
factors described in the European Standard.
4.2 Test procedure - passive protection systems
These procedures are additional to, or highlight those, specified in BS 476-21 or ENV 13381-4.
1. The materials and standards of workmanship of the test specimens shall be representative of good site
practice. The applied thickness of protection should generally be maintained within 15% of the mean
applied thickness.
2. Test specimens shall be conditioned in such a manner that they correspond as closely as possible, in
temperature, moisture content and state of cure to the expected state of a similar element in service.
3. When possible the moisture content or state of cure should be measured immediately prior to test.
4. Loaded specimens should comply with the dimensional requirements of BS 476-21 or ENV 13381-4 and
non-loaded specimens used to provide temperature data should have a length of at least 1 metre.
5. To provide maximum information tests should ideally be continued until all steel sections have reached a
mean temperature of 700oC (or other maximum assessment temperature required by the sponsor) or until
the insulation system has suffered a significant detachment from the steel section.
6. If loadbearing capacity failure of a loaded beam occurs (or for columns is imminent) the load should be
removed and the test continued until the conditions given in (5) are achieved.
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4.3 Assessment of performance of passive protection systems
Test specimens shall be conditioned in such a manner that they correspond as closely as possible, in
temperature, solvent content and state of cure to the expected state of a similar element in service or as
specified by the manufacturer.
4.3.1 Basis of Assessment
The aspects considered in the assessment of test data are:
Section Factor (A/V)
Shape of section (e.g. I-section, rectangular hollow section)
Size of section
Fire resistance period
Temperatures attained by steel sections
Critical temperature
Orientation of section
Thickness and density of applied protection
Surface preparation of steel
Reinforcement (if any)
Primer compatibility
Fixing and support detail
Physical performance and retention of protection material
Over-coating
The thickness of material required to provide specific standards of fire resistance, at a given critical temperature
for the steel, is derived by means of an empirical relationship in the equation below
Fire resistance time (minutes) t = a0 + a1 dp V/A + a2 dp

Equation 1
Where a0, a1, a2 = constants applicable to the material,
dp = thickness of fire protection material (mm), and A/V = Section Factor (m-1).
The values of the constants ao, a1 and a2 are determined by means of multiple linear regression using
information from the unloaded sections only as input data. These data may be from tests to either BS 476-21 or
ENV 13381-4. For the purposes of analysis, the fire resistance time is taken as the time for the steel sections to
achieve the given critical temperature.
The analysis may be repeated at other critical temperatures. The range of critical temperatures agreed for this
publication is 350°C to 700°C, usually in 50°C steps.
With many fire protection materials it is possible to achieve a coefficient of determination (r2) in excess of 0.95,
which indicates a high level of agreement between test and predicted data.
If the coefficient of determination is found to be less than 0.95, further investigations must be carried out to
determine the reasons for the discrepancy and an appropriate safety factor may be included in the analysis to
compensate for the variation.
By re-arranging the equation and substituting values of ao a1 a2 derived from the regression analysis it is
possible to derive protection thicknesses for given values of A/V and derive tables of the form presented in the
Data Sheets (Section 9).
t – a0
dp =
(a1 V/A + a2)
Equation 2
The tests on the loaded sections are carried out with the loads on the specimen calculated to give a critical
temperature of 550°C for columns and 620°C for beams. If the results of the loaded tests are worse than those
of the short sections at the same critical temperature or if the mean temperature of the loaded section at failure
is less than 550°C (columns) or 620°C (beams) then further investigations must be carried out to determine the
reasons for the discrepancy and an appropriate safety factor may be included in the analysis to compensate for
the variation.
A coefficient of determination less than 0.9 indicates an inadequate correlation which could arise because:
(a) the standard equation is unsuitable for the specific product (e.g. due to a high combined moisture level).
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(b) the test data are unreliable due to excessive density variation, loss of material during test, etc.
In either case the assessing body should seek to establish the reason for the variation.
In the case of (a) an appropriate assessment technique should be adopted. The basis for the justification of the
alternative technique should be documented in detail in the assessment report. In the case of (b) the data
should be rejected and further tests carried out or suitable safety factors included in the analysis.
General assessment procedures are referred to in Section 3.3.
4.3.2 Assessment procedures
The following general conditions are applied to the assessment of passive fire protection materials.
1. Assessments are only made regarding the performance of horizontal elements if the loaded beam test
with maximum thickness in accordance with BS 476-21 or ENV 13381-4 has achieved the maximum fire
resistance under consideration. If this criterion is not met (e.g. a beam fails at 210min rather than 240min
or more) the result may still be acceptable provided that the load is removed after a deflection of at least
span/35 has occurred and the test is run-on until the full period is completed. The material should remain
intact during this over-run period for the extrapolation to be considered.
2. Assessments are only made regarding the performance of vertical elements if a loaded column has been
tested and meets requirements similar to those noted for steel beams under (1).
3. The average thickness of material applied to a test specimen is used in the analysis. The predicted
thicknesses are always considered as the minimum required for on-site application.
4. Assessments only apply to the specific formulation tested.
5. In certain cases the standard method of assessment may not be appropriate (e.g. for materials containing
significant quantities of combined water) and alternative or modified methods of analysis are not
precluded; however, any alternative approach must be fully documented and justified in the assessment
report, subject to agreement by the Fire Test Study Group and ASFP Technical Review Panel
6. The acceptable range of thicknesses is related to the maximum and minimum thicknesses tested on
loaded sections. The extrapolation of maximum thickness will normally only be acceptable by up to 10%
of the maximum thickness tested, and subject to a maximum increase of 10% in the section factor. The
extrapolation of minimum thickness will normally only be acceptable by up to 10% of the minimum
thickness tested as shown below
Permitted extended use of data

Section Factor
Positive extension: + 10%
A/V
Negative extension: -10%
Material Thickness
7. The assessments derived from the procedures detailed in this document may be applied directly to steel
sections having the following properties:
Re-entrant profile
Profiles that are not re-entrant provided that the fixing of the sprayed fire protection system is equivalent
to that tested. Useful information is also provided in BS 8202-1 for guidance on use of supporting mesh.
Depth not exceeding 686mm
Width not exceeding 325mm
Where any of the above criteria are not met additional assessment and/or test work will be required to
ensure that the fire protection material will be retained in position under fire conditions – Section 1.6.2
provides relevant additional information.
8. In the computation of required spray material thickness for presentation in the product data sheet the
calculated value shall be rounded as in the following example:
15.1 or above becomes 16mm
15.09mm becomes 15mm.
9. In the computation of the maximum Section Factor (A/V) for a stated board thickness for presentation in
the product data sheet the calculated value shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
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4.3.3 Assessment report
Following the completion of the appropriate test and assessment package a fully documented report should be
prepared by the assessor for consideration by the ASFP Technical Review Panel prior to acceptance for
publication in Section 8 of this document. In the case of a 3rd Party Certificated product, review by the ASFP
Technical Review Panel will not be required provided that the Certification Body adopts the requirements /
recommendations of this Publication.
The assessment report will fully detail the scope of approval, basis of the assessment and justification for any
deviations from the procedures detailed in this document. All test data used in the preparation of the
assessment should be fully referenced by test number, test standard and type of test (beam/column,
loaded/unloaded, full scale/small scale, etc).
The format of the report should provide the following minimum details:
1. Fire protection material /product/ system - Brief description of generic types.
2. Test specimens - Number of specimens and sizes used in the analyses.
3. Limits of acceptability - Details of any constraints.
4. Predictive analyses at each critical temperature with summary of test results and summary of analysis
data.
5. Predicted thicknesses for various Section Factors and critical temperatures.
6. Data sheets (details as Section 8).
7. The test reports used for the assessment should be appended to the Assessment Report.
8. Physical performance and retention of material.
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5. TEST AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES – REACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
This Section presents guidance with respect to the evaluation of structural steel sections protected against fire by
thin film intumescent coatings. See Section 6 for the fire protection of cellular steel beams.
5.1 Test programme [Reactive systems]
prENV 13381-8 specifies a programme of tests for reactive (intumescent) systems and reference should be made to
this document should it be required to test in accordance with this European Standard.
It should be noted that the current European fire test standard ENV 13381-4 is in the course of being revised and
will be reissued as two separate standards: ENV 13381-4 for passive Boards and Spray coatings, and prEN 13381-
8 for Reactive coatings. In addition, the fire testing and assessment of cellular beams is not within the scope of
these standards under revision, and therefore there is currently no agreed European approach that deals with the
fire protection of steel cellular beams as elements of construction. See section 6.2
For tests carried out to BS 476, in order to maintain a consistency of approach the following guidance is given.
To enable the test laboratories to maintain a stock of appropriate test specimens, the following steel sections are
suggested for the development of a test programme with respect to BS 476: Part 21.
Table 21
Steel “I” Sections Steel Rectangular Hollow Sections
mm x mm x Kg/m mm x mm x mm
305 x 102 x 25 80 x 80 x 3.6
254 x 146 x 31 120 x 60 x 3.6
356 x 171 x 67 150 x 150 x 5.0
203 x 203 x 52 200 x 200 x 6.3
254 x 254 x 89 150 x 100 x 8.0
254 x 254 x132 300 x 200 x 8.0
406 x 178 x 60 140 x 140 x 5.0
305 x 127 x 42 250 x 250 x 12.5
254 x 146 x 43 100 x 100 x 5.0
152 x 152 x 30 300 x 300 x 12.5
610 x 305 x 238
The scope of the assessment will depend upon the nature of tests carried out and the performance of the material
in those tests.
5.1.1 Loaded tests
For a system which is to be used over a range of thicknesses, steel shapes and critical steel temperatures the
following loaded tests are considered appropriate. Thicknesses refer to dry film thickness.
For approval of “I” Section Beams
406mm x 178mm x 60kg/m Maximum thickness, or
Suitable beam for a particular target assessment. Maximum thickness
For approval of "I" section columns (alternatively a tall unloaded column can be tested only if a loaded beam is
tested)
203mm x 203mm x52kg/m Maximum thickness, or
Suitable I column for a particular target assessment Maximum thickness
For approval of Hollow Column Sections (alternatively a tall unloaded column can be tested only if a loaded “I”
section or hollow beam is tested)
200mm x 200mm x 6.3mm Column Maximum thickness, or
Suitable hollow column for the target assessment Maximum thickness
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For approval of Rectangular Hollow Beams
300mm x 200mm x 6.3mm Maximum thickness or
Suitable rectangular hollow beam for the target assessment Maximum thickness
(To our knowledge, it has never been shown that there is a ‘stickability’ problem at the minimum dry film thickness
especially as it is a phenomenon related to excessive film builds)
If mesh reinforcement is used over part of the thickness range additional loaded tests will be required.
A test programme for unloaded sections is required to explore the relationship between fire resistance, dry film
thickness and section factor. A typical programme will include at least ten sections where a range of dry film
thicknesses is required. The sections are generally selected from the list given above. To allow the short section
beam data to be corrected for ‘stickability’, a short reference beam made from the same steel as each loaded beam
and with the same nominal protection should be included in the testing. Similarly, to allow the short section column
data to be corrected for ‘stickability’, a short reference column made from the same steel as each loaded column or
tall column and with the same nominal protection should be included in the testing.
To establish the performance of a material on deep web sections a deep web unloaded beam section (e.g. 610mm
x 305mm x 238kg/m) should be included in the test package.
The I-section and RHS-section groups are treated separately for the purposes of assessments.
Assessments for circular sections may normally be based on tests on square sections having the same
Section Factor. Alternatively tests on circular sections may be evaluated separately.
5.2 Test procedures [Reactive systems]
These procedures are additional to those in Section 3, or highlight those specified in BS 476: Parts 20/21 or
prEN13381-8.
1. The materials and standards of workmanship of the test specimens shall be representative of good site
practice. For test purposes the coating should be applied such that the standard deviation of dry film
thickness about the mean is not more than 15% using the principles of ASFP TGN 007:2001. Assuming that
the readings are normally distributed this implies that:
a) 68% of readings are within 15% of mean.
b) 95% of readings are within 30% of mean.
c) 99% of readings are within 45% of mean.
If measurement shows that the readings are not in accordance with this distribution it will be necessary to
make adjustments by removing paint or touching up to ensure conformity. The method of measurement and
equipment operation is given in Section 5.3.6
2. Test specimens shall be conditioned in such a manner that they correspond as closely as possible, in
temperature, solvent content and state of cure to the expected state of a similar element in service or as
specified by the manufacturer.
Where it is required that both beams and columns are to be assessed the assessment shall be based on the
data obtained from testing at least one loaded beam, a tall unloaded column at least 2m in height and a
package of short beams and columns. Where loaded column data is available this should be used in
preference to the tall-unloaded column specified in ENV 13381 but the tall column option is sufficient when
carrying out new tests.
If the assessment is to be confined to columns only, the assessment shall be based on the data obtained
from testing a loaded column and a package of short columns.
The specification for temperature measurement shall be as given in prEN13381-8. In the absence of loaded
column data the following critical temperatures shall be used in the assessment of the performance of
columns under maximum permissible design loading:
I-shaped sections: 550°C
Hollow sections: 520°C
Where it is desired to carry out the assessment of hollow columns at a different design temperature a suitable
loaded column should be tested in order to establish the critical steel temperature at the maximum
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permissible load subject to a maximum temperature of 550ºC. For hollow beams a suitable loaded beam
should be tested in order to establish the critical steel temperature at the maximum permissible load. The
actual steel temperature at structural failure may be used in the assessment, subject to a maximum
temperature of 620ºC.
5.3 Assessment procedures [Reactive systems]
5.3.1 Basis of Assessment
Assessments may be based on tests to BS 476 Part 21:1987 or prEN 13381-8.
The aspects considered in the assessment of test data are:
Section factor (A/V)
Any test programme should include a number of steel sections with the widest possible range of section factors.
Shape of section (e.g. I-section, rectangular hollow section)
The performance of reactive coatings can vary depending on the shape/profile of the steel cross section. Generally
coatings will perform better when applied to steel sections with a re-entrant profile. In addition, reactive coatings on
circular hollow sections may provide a slightly better result than the same coating applied to rectangular/square
hollow sections. Therefore, re-entrant sections are dealt with separately from hollow sections, requiring their own
set of loaded and unloaded sections in the test programme. Assessments for circular sections may normally be
based on tests on rectangular/square sections of the same section factor.
Size of section
The fire performance of some reactive coatings can reduce when they are applied to deep web or narrow flange
beams. If the web of the section is large, or the flange is small, the reactive coating on the web will not be
supported as well by the coating on the flanges. It is therefore advisable to include a 610mm deep web unloaded
beam and a 120mm wide flange unloaded beam in the test programme. This would normally cover all standard
steel sizes up to 914mm deep web. For deeper beams, a separate assessment is required.
Fire resistance period
The fire resistance period of each tested loaded section is the duration of the test until the specimen is no longer
able to support the test load (see Section 1).
Orientation of section
The fire performance of reactive coatings can vary between vertical columns and horizontal beams. Generally,
therefore, unless there is particularly good correlation in the data being considered between the two types, the test
results and assessment of those results is carried out for beams and columns separately.
Thickness of applied protection
The performance of most reactive coatings will increase as the thickness increases up to a certain limit. After such
limits are exceeded there may be little or no improvement. In fact, the performance will often decrease.
Surface preparation of steel
The adhesion of the coating system, including the primer, will depend on satisfactory preparation of the steel
Surface reinforcement (if any)
If any mesh reinforcement has been used with the coating system during the fire tests, then the same system must
be used in practice.
Primer compatibility
The generic type of primer, its thickness and method of application, can play an important role in the overall
performance of the system. An assessment of the coating system will generally be limited to the primer type and
thickness used in the tests. The use of alternative primers should be in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations.
Method of application
The method of application of water-based intumescent coatings does not significantly affect the results so any
method may be used but spray application is recommended. Solvent based intumescent coatings are much more
sensitive to the method of application and spray application should be used unless the manufacturer specifically
recommends a different method which should then be used. The method of application used shall be recorded in
the assessment and where solvent based intumescent are applied by brush for testing then the application shall be
restricted to this method whereas if applied by spray for testing then the application shall allow both brush and
spray.
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Effects of over-coating
Overcoating the reactive coating system with a non-fire paint, including a top coat, may have a detrimental effect on
the overall performance of the system. It is therefore recommended that if most of the test specimens do not have a
top coat that there are some unloaded sections with topcoats, which can be used for comparison. Alternatively the
manufacturer may be able to demonstrate satisfactory performance using secondary test evidence from in-house
tests.
Number of coats
The number of coats to build the required thickness may affect the overall performance of the coating, although the
evidence for this is limited. It is therefore recommended that the number of coats applied on the test specimens is
similar to the number used in practice and is recorded in the test report.
Physical performance and retention of the protection material
A critical factor in the performance of any reactive coating is its ability to remain coherent and in position for the
defined range of deformations, furnace and steel temperatures, such that its ability to provide fire protection is not
impaired. This is known as “stickability” of the coating system. Hence, the importance of testing loaded sections
protected with the expected maximum thickness of intumescent coating.
5.3.3 Assessment protocol
The following general conditions are applied to the assessment of reactive intumescent fire protection materials.
1. Assessments will only be made regarding the performance of horizontal elements if a loaded beam test has
been successfully completed for the required fire resistance period, in accordance with BS 476: Part 21 or
ENV 13381-4, or for a period capable of being extrapolated to the required time period as defined in clauses
3 and 6.
2. Assessments will only be made regarding the performance of vertical elements if a loaded column test in
accordance with BS 476: Part 21 or prEN 13381-8 has been successfully completed or a tall unloaded
column has been tested in conjunction with the loaded steel beams (1 above).
3. If, during a loaded test, load-bearing capacity failure of the specimen occurs before the appropriate fire
resistance period is achieved, (e.g. 115min rather than 120min or more) the result may still be acceptable
provided that, for beams, the load is removed after a deflection of at least span/35 has occurred or, for
columns, the load is removed when structural failure is imminent and the test is run-on until the full period is
completed. The materials should remain intact during the over-run period for the extrapolation to be
considered. The time extrapolation will be limited to 10% of the achieved maximum load-bearing capacity for
any particular specimen shape or orientation.
4. The average total dry film thickness (dft) will be used as a basis for assessments. The assessment should
take account of the individual dft’s of primer, reactive coating and topcoats. If the criteria specified in Section
5.2 (1) are not met the assessor should consider the thickness distribution in detail and, where appropriate,
safety factors introduced into the assessment to take account of the variability.
5. Test Reports and Assessments only apply to the specific system and formulation as tested, including primer,
basecoat and topcoat if tested. Guidance for other primers and topcoats may be found in the ETAG No 018
Part 2 Reactive Coatings for Fire Protection of Steel Elements.
6. The acceptable maximum thickness is related to the maximum thicknesses tested on loaded beams and tall
column sections. In the case of maximum thicknesses, these may differ for different steel shapes and
orientations and, as such, are not transferable from columns to beams or from I-sections to hollow sections.
The extrapolation of maximum thickness will normally only be acceptable by up to 10% of the maximum
thickness tested. The extrapolation of minimum thickness will normally only be acceptable by up to 10% of
the minimum thickness tested on short sections.
7. For assessment purposes steel section shapes will be divided into the following groups:
I section (or other section shape providing a re-entrant profile)
a) Horizontal
b) Vertical
Square/rectangular section
a) Horizontal
b) Vertical
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8. Each of the shape groups detailed in (7) is treated separately for the purposes of assessments. Testing of
circular and rectangular hollow columns protected with intumescent coatings does not conclusively
demonstrate that one particular shape is more onerous than another. To allow test data to be used for both
types, testing should be undertaken to adequately demonstrate which particular shape is more onerous, prior
to assessing both circular and rectangular hollow shapes on the basis of testing one shape only.
The following process shall be followed to determine whether the coating performs differently on circular or
rectangular hollow columns
[a] Fire test a tall column of each type with the same nominal section factor, protected with the same
coating thickness, that relates to the nominal maximum thickness.
[b] Determine the most onerous performance, by comparing the steel temperature profiles of each type of
column with respect to time, and include this in the product assessment.
[c] Once the determination of the most onerous type of hollow section has been made, the short sections
may be selected accordingly.
Alternatively fire tests on both circular and rectangular hollow sections may be conducted and assessed
separately.
Any other steel profile shapes considered more onerous by a Certification Body should be assessed
separately.
9. To establish the performance of a material on deep web sections (max 914mm web) a deep web unloaded
beam section (min 610mm web) should be included in the test and assessment package.
10. Where this information is not available, the following constraints shall apply based on the size of the loaded
beam tested.
Table 22: Constraints for use of limited data from loaded beam tests
Maximum web size for assessment Maximum flange size for assessment
Beam size tested
purposes purposes
406mm x 178mm x 60kg/m 686mm 305mm
‘Suitable’ beam + 280mm +127mm
11. When considering the performance of elements fully loaded in accordance with BS 449-2, the following
criteria shall apply. The assessment shall be carried out separately for beams, columns and different shaped
sections. The temperature used for the assessment shall be the lowest temperature at failure of the
appropriate beam or column when tested in accordance with BS 476-21 or prEN 13381-8, except that this
temperature should not exceed 550°C (except beams with 3 sided exposure and supporting concrete slabs
where the temperature should not exceed 620°C). Analysis may be carried out at other limiting steel
temperatures between 350°C and 700°C, provided that the protection system has proved to be effective and
intact at those temperatures, fire resistance periods and section factors.
12. To take into account the stickability performance of the product the temperature data for the short sections is
to be corrected against the loaded beams, loaded columns and tall columns depending upon the selected
test programme. The correction for the short beams is based on interpolation between the performance at
maximum and minimum protection thickness. In order to do this the following steps should be applied:
1 For both minimum and maximum thickness obtain the performance in terms of time to reach the
specified design temperature for the short reference beam if it was protected with the same amount of
material as its equivalent loaded beam.
2 Divide the time for the loaded beam by the corrected time for the short reference beam to reach the
specified design temperature for both minimum and maximum thickness. These are the correction
factors for maximum and minimum thickness (kmax and kmin). Where the factor is greater than 1 a
value of 1 is to be used.
3 By interpolation between kmin and kmax obtain for each short section beam the factor appropriate to
the actual thickness applied to the section.
4 Multiply the time to reach the specified design temperature for each short section by the calculated
factor to obtain the corrected time.
5 Use the corrected time for each section in the analysis.
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Example Calculation
Table 23: data for example

Loaded and ref Time to design Corrected time Ratio
DFT d (mm)
sections temp (mins) for df (mins) (lb/sb)
This is time the
LB 1 dmax 2.5 67 0.98 (kmax) short beam
Ref B 1 max 2.56 70 68.4 would have got if
dft was as LB
LB 2 dmin 0.38 39 0.87 (kmin) If k greater than 1
Ref B 2 min 0.39 46 44.8 then 1 is used
LB loaded beam. Ref B equivalent short beam
There is no need to consider the effect of a difference in section factor if the equivalent pairs are from the
same piece of steel.
Time to design temp
Short section DFT di (mm) *factor ki Modified time (mins)
(mins)
short beam 1.25 75 0.92 69
* obtained by linear interpolation between kmax and kmin as follows:
Correction for columns is determined in a similar manner but using only factors derived from the loaded or tall
column with the nominal maximum thickness.
All the methods of data analysis specified in prEN 13381-8 are acceptable provided that the acceptance
criteria therein are applied. Alternatively, the data may be analysed graphically in accordance with the
method described in Section 5.3.4 but it shall meet the conditions detailed below item (12) above
13. Criteria for Acceptability.
The following criteria shall be applied to the analysis to ensure the predictions are valid:
(a) For each short section the predicted time to reach each design temperature shall not exceed the time
for the corrected temperature to reach the design temperature by more than 15%.
(b) The mean value of all percentage differences in time as calculated in (a) shall be less than zero.
(c) A maximum of 30% of individual values of all percentage differences in time as calculated in (a) shall
be more than zero.
The above criteria shall be applied to each design temperature.
14. Permitted extensions are as follows:
Table 24: Permitted extended use of data

Negative extension: no limit below the minimum A/V tested, using the dry
Section Factor
film thickness assessed for the minimum A/V tested.
A/V
Negative extension: -10%
Material Thickness
15. Situations may arise where certain of the above principles are not appropriate to a particular assessment. In
such circumstances the reason for the variation and the justification for the alternative approach must be
clearly detailed in the assessment report and must be agreed by the ASFP Technical Review Panel
(BRE/Warringtonfire/ASFP).
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5.3.4 Assessment Guidelines: Graphical Approach
Data
The input data shall be the mean time to reach the limiting steel temperature derived in accordance with Section 5.2
for all sections tested. The data shall be modified in accordance with the principles given in Section 5.3.3 (10).
The justification for excluding any of the test results from the analysis must be given in the assessment report.
Examples of suitable justification are falling debris or flame impingement. It is not acceptable to exclude any result
solely on the basis that it is lower than expected.
Method
Generally, where steel beams and columns perform differently, only steel beam data points shall be used for the
assessment of steel beams and only steel column data points should be used for the assessment of columns.
In situations where all equivalent steel beams and columns, i.e. those of the very similar section factor and
thickness, produce fire resistance times, within 5%, it is acceptable to use all data points for both beams and
columns. The performance may be adjusted to accommodate small differences in section and thickness of up to
15% using a similar technique to that used to correct the data (section 5.3.3 (11)). The equivalent sections must
cover the range of section factors and thickness.
For each fire protected steel section tested, plot the inverse section factor (V/A m) against time taken (minutes) to
reach the limiting steel temperature.
For each data point of the same mean dry film thickness draw a line which represents the best fit such that the plot
is conservative. Normally a minimum number of 3 points is necessary to draw a curve but one of these points could
be a conservative baseline point of 10 minutes.
Figure 7 shows a typical graph. Note that to obtain the same mean dry film thickness it is necessary to calculate the
value assuming linear behaviour so that if trying to plot a 500μ and a data point of 523μ with a time of 64 minutes
use 500/523 x 64 i.e. 61 minutes. Corrections using this approach should be limited to one standard deviation
(±15%) of the nominal target.
Additional graphs e.g. dry film thickness versus time to reach the limiting steel temperature for constant section
factor may be also be used to illustrate particular aspects of the assessment.
To draw curves, typically at least three data points of a nominally similar thickness must be available. It is
acceptable to use a minimum of two data points to draw a curve when such points are intermediate between curves
established from three data points.
In certain circumstances it is acceptable to draw straight lines between points. Instances where these may occur
are where two data points are close to and are to each side of a required fire resistance period and where there is
only one data point at a particular thickness. In these types of situations straight lines can be drawn between points
or to a point on the axes representing zero respectively as these lines are considered conservative and therefore
acceptable.
Establish the limiting inverse section factor at the intercept between each required period of fire resistance for each
of the nominal dry film thickness plots.
From the intercepts derive the limiting section factor for each required period of fire resistance for each of the
nominal dry film thickness plots. The achieved time for any of the data points plotted on the graphs may only be
linearly extrapolated to a required fire resistance by a maximum of 10%.
For each fire resistance period linearly interpolate between the limiting section factor and the dry film thickness to
obtain intermediate values.
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Figure 7
Limiting Steel Temperature: 550 Deg C
0.018
0.017
0.016
0.015 No extraploation justified for
DFT 2 for 90 minutes: >10%
0.014 No extrapolation justified for
DFT 1 to 60 minutes: >10%
0.013
Inverse section factor m
Limited extrapolation
0.012 justified for DFT 3
0.011 to 90 minutes: <10%
0.010 Lines drawn conservatively upwards

0.009
0.008
0.007
0.006
0.005
0.004
DFT 2
0.003
DFT 1
0.002
DFT 3
0.001
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Time minutes
Conditions for Acceptability

In order for the Assessment Report to be valid, the conditions for acceptability given in Section 5.3.3 (13) must be
met.
Where the criteria are not met the data points should be re-appraised in accordance with method above drawing
lines more conservatively until the criteria are just met.
Direct Application of Results
Permitted extensions are given in section 5.3.3 (14).
5.3.5 Assessment Report
Following the completion of the appropriate test and assessment package a fully documented report should be
prepared by the assessor for consideration by the ASFP Technical Review Panel (BRE/Warringtonfire/ASFP) prior
to acceptance for publication in Section 8 of this document. In the case of a 3rd Party Certificated product, review
by the ASFP Technical Review Panel will not be required provided that the Certification Body adopts the
requirements / recommendations of this Publication.
The Assessment Report will fully detail the scope and limits of approval, basis of the assessment and justification
for any deviations from the procedures detailed in this document. All test data used in the preparation of the
assessment should be fully referenced by test number, test standard and type of test (beam/column,
loaded/unloaded, full scale/small scale, etc).
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The format of the Assessment Report should provide the following minimum details:
a) Fire protection material /product/system - Brief description of generic types.
b) Test specimens, number of specimens and sizes used in the analysis.
c) Details of method of analysis adopted.
d) Predictive analyses at each critical temperature with summary of test results and summary of
analysis data.
e) Compliance with criteria of acceptability, details of any constraints and permitted extensions.
f) Predicted thicknesses for various section factors and critical temperatures.
g) The test reports used for the assessment should be appended to the assessment report.
h) Physical performance and retention of material /product/system.
i) Surface preparation and primer details.
j) Method of application (validity of assessment for the application method).
k) Reasons for the omission of any test data.
5.3.6 Measurement of Dry Film Thickness
Equipment Type
Thickness shall be measured using an instrument employing either the electromagnetic induction or eddy current
principle, with a probe contact diameter of minimally 2.5mm.
The instrument shall satisfy the following criteria.
a) Possess a total range greater than the highest thickness to be measured.
b) Provide a digital display of coating thicknesses and be capable of storing measured values.
c) Capability to calculate statistical parameters – max/min values, mean and standard deviation.
d) Capability to provide hard copy print out of data.
Operation and Calibration
The instrument shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction for use. Calibration shall be
carried out immediately prior to any series of measurements being taken.
The instrument shall be set to zero on the flat plate supplied.
Calibration shall be carried out utilising calibration shims both above and below the anticipated thickness being
measured. Calibration shims shall be no more than 50% greater or less than the coating thickness being measured.
Number and Location of the Thickness Measurements
Thickness shall be measured on all coated surfaces other than edges and web/flange joins. Measurements shall be
evenly distributed over all the coated surface(s) and there shall be minimally one reading per 50cm2 of coated
surface. For I sections, there shall be minimally one reading per 25cm2 on the web.
No readings shall normally be taken within 25mm of edges, web/flange joins or web stiffeners but it may be
necessary to waive this requirement for narrow flange beams e.g. 100mm.
In the case of a primer being employed, primer thickness shall be determined prior to application of the intumescent
coating and subsequently subtracted from the measured total thickness of primer and intumescent coating.
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6. THE FIRE PROTECTION OF CELLULAR BEAMS & CASTELLATED SECTIONS
To satisfy building design requirements, steel beams are now available with a variety of apertures created in the
basic section size, during a secondary manufacturing process, to form deeper cellular beams than the parent
beam. Alternatively, cellular beams can be created from three flat steel plates welded together. Castellated
sections have hexagonal apertures. Whilst cellular beams are available with rectangular and/or ‘elongated’
aperture shapes, most apertures are circular in shape. A large range of circular aperture sizes and spacing/pitch
is available. The dimensions of the residual ‘web post’ between adjacent openings can affect the performance of
the cellular beam in fire.
Section factor
The method of calculating section factor for cellular beams with apertures is treated in a different manner than in
the case of solid and hollow steel sections in Section 1.6, because for any beam with closely spaced openings
failure in fire will in most cases be caused by failure of the steel web. It is therefore important that the steel web
temperature needs to be controlled. Moreover, the method of calculating section factor must be suitable for
symmetric and asymmetric beams fabricated from hot rolled sections and for beams fabricated from steel plate.
Asymmetric steel beams may have different flange widths top and bottom. The position of the aperture may not
be centrally located within the web of the beam.
In view of these variables, the ASFP has agreed to adopt the recommendation from the Steel Construction
Institute, as published in RT1085, that for castellated sections and cellular beams manufactured from all rolled
steel sections and from welded plate, the Section Factor for both passive and active fire protection systems
should be calculated as
Section factor [m-1] = 1400 / t
where t = the thickness [mm] of the lower steel web and applies for beams made from all steel rolled
sections and from welded steel plate.
6.1 Cellular beams, including castellated sections, protected by passive fire
protection systems [e.g. boards and sprays]
In previous editions of this publication, it has been recommended that to obtain the thickness of passive fire
protection [boards and sprays] for a castellated section, the thickness of fire protection should first be obtained
based on the section factor as determined for the original parent steel section and then increased by 20%, for
the installed fire protection product. This guidance is now withdrawn and replaced by new inclusive guidance for
all castellated and cellular beams, as described below. The use of reactive coatings (intumescent paints) is
discussed in 6.2
A new ‘passive rule’ for the fire protection of all cellular beams and castellated sections is now permitted,
subject to the provisions listed below –
a) That the Section factor [m-1] is determined by SCI method, as above
Section factor [m-1] = 1400/t
where ‘t’ is the thickness [mm] of the lower steel web
b) That the ‘default’ design temperature is the ‘limiting temperature’ for the steel cellular beam as
determined and declared by the steel beam manufacturer, or a competent structural engineer, recognised
by the Engineering Council. No proposal should be offered where the ‘limiting temperature’ is not
provided.
NOTE 1 - The previous ‘550C’ default temperature is removed as inappropriate to all types of cellular beams. It
is considered that the manufacturer’s declared ‘Limiting Temperature’ for each beam will make sufficient
provision for any effects from particular web-post dimensions and spacings, added stiffener plates, etc.
c) The ‘passive’ fire protection product being considered must have been tested and assessed for standard
‘solid’ I -section beams.
d) The thickness of the ‘passive’ fire protection product/system will be determined from the Section Factor,
the limiting temperature, and fire protection product temperature tables, for the appropriate fire resistance
periods. This thickness will then be multiplied by 1.20 to provide a prudent and conservative generic
solution.
NOTE 2 - The ASFP will support manufacturers who develop specific multi temperature analysis tables/ thermal
models in conjunction with independent structural models such as SCI RT1085 v04, so that the factor
1.20 can be avoided.
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e) The maximum thickness of a boxed board or reinforced sprayed PFP system to be used on the cellular
beam must not exceed the maximum temperature or thickness, as tested and assessed by an
independent body on a loaded solid beam.
f) The maximum thickness of a profiled board or sprayed PFP system to be used, must not exceed the
maximum temperature or thickness, as tested and assessed by an independent body on a loaded solid
beam.
NOTE 3 - If a tested ‘boxed’ PFP system is to be used as a ‘profiled’ PFP system then it shall be deemed
necessary to confirm the manufacturer’s proposal by a member of the ASFP Technical Review Panel, to
assess the acceptability of the ‘stickability’of the proposed PFP system.
g) The proposal for ‘sealing’ the PFP around the apertures in the cellular beam shall be covered by a
suitable assessment from an independent body and deemed acceptable by a member of the ASFP
Technical Review Panel. [This must not be the same member who may have made the Assessment]
NOTE 4 - The fixing detail and ‘stickability’of the proposed PFP system must not be prejudiced by narrow web
post widths, based on the existing test protocol in Sections 3 and 4 of this Publication
h) The PFP system being offered must ensure that there are no exposed areas of the steel – except where
normally accepted at re-entrant profiles adjacent to the supported soffit above the beam [see Section 2.3
in this Publication]
6.2 Cellular beams protected by reactive coatings [e.g intumescent coatings]
In the 3rd Edition, it was stated that no definitive guidance could be provided for the use of reactive intumescent
coatings for the fire protection of cellular beams. That situation has now changed, as detailed in the text that
follows.
6.2.1 Background
Recent testing of cellular beams has proven that previous practices, not supported by ASFP, of adding
20% to the fire protection thickness of a particular steel section (for an equivalent solid section in terms of
A/V and for a given fire protection period) does not necessarily provide a safe solution for reactive
coatings.
It is now recognised that the thickness of a reactive coating required to provide a given fire resistance to a
cellular beam is a function of the beam’s web thickness, the hole shape and dimensions, the width of the
web post, the degree of the beam asymmetry and the structural utilisation factor, as well as the nature of
the proprietary fire protection itself. The design of the beam determines the position and nature of the
critical stresses within the beam. These critical stresses are independent of the fire protection required
and are used to determine the limiting structural temperatures for the beam.
The ability of a reactive coating product to provide protection to the critical area(s) of the beam is very
product specific. Individual protection products, normally quite similar in performance when compared on
the basis of rolled steel sections, may require radically different thicknesses for the same cellular beam.
Therefore it’s likely that most reactive coating products will need a ‘thickness adjustment factor’ to be
applied to the data obtained from solid rolled sections. This factor may be more or less than 20%.
6.2.2 Fire protecting cellular beams with reactive coatings
It is essential that the reactive coating manufacturer seeks information from the cellular beam
manufacturer regarding the mechanical properties of the particular cellular beam design. This will include
the ‘limiting temperature’, the section factor and the web post width – the dimension between adjacent
openings. It is up to the intumescent coating manufacturer then to determine by testing and, if
appropriate, by calculation the thickness of the specific product required to achieve the required level of
protection.
The Section factor [m-1] is determined by SCI method, as above
Section factor [m-1] = 1400/t
where ‘t’ is the thickness [mm] of the lower steel web, and applies for beams made from all steel
rolled sections and from welded steel plate.
For some beam design /reactive product combinations, the combined influence of variations in beam
design and required thicknesses of reactive coating are the subject of a complex computer analysis, the
validity of which shall be proven over the range of its application.
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Alternatively, the limiting temperature of a cellular beam may be established using a suitable structural
model, based on the principles given in the relevant Eurocode. The model shall take account of any
increased temperatures of the web post relative to the flanges.
A protocol
To evaluate and characterise reactive fire protection products, the ASFP has devised a ‘cellular beam fire
protection testing protocol’ to provide product specific thermal data for the fire protection of cellular
beams, see Section 6.3. These tests should be conducted by a UKAS approved fire test laboratory
utilising the standard temperature/time curve given in BS 476 Part 20 or BS EN 1363 – 1.
To utilise the data from the ‘cellular beam fire testing protocol, the reactive coating (intumescent)
manufacturer must first have a multi-temperature analysis (MTA) of the performance of the product on
plain rolled sections, for each fire protection period. This, together with the data obtained from the
‘cellular beam testing protocol’ is used to derive the required thickness of fire protection for a particular
beam design.
6.2.3 Generic advice
As far as it is possible to give generic advice regarding the determination of required thicknesses of
intumescent fire protection products for cellular beams, the Steel Construction Institute has published SCI
RT 1085 v04 which includes limitations of use such as – it only refers to cellular beams with circular holes
up to 80% of the beam depth; width of end posts not less than 30% of the opening diameter; width of web
posts not less than 130mm; ratio of opening spacing to opening diameter not less than 1.3; and beams
subject to loading typical of office buildings. The SCI RT1085 v04 currently excludes beams with
rectangular or elongated openings; roof beams; beams without lateral restraint or intermediate lateral
restraint.
Readers should contact the Steel Construction Institute for the latest guidance.
NOTE - that it also assumes that for cellular beams - SCI RT1085 v04 clause 1.3 ‘Scope’ comments that ‘it is
assumed that the voids formed by steel decking above the top flange are ‘filled’. Beams with ‘unfilled voids’ may be
used provided that the protection thickness is further increased by use of the ASFP guidance in Clause 2.3 of this
ASFP publication.’ ALSO refer to manufacturers’ specific data.
6.2.4 Product specific thickness determinations
Product specific information based on multi-temperature analysis [MTA] of the product on plain rolled
sections and the data obtained from the same product in the ‘cellular beam testing protocol’ can be used
to provide the required level of fire protection to cellular beams of a variety of designs. Based upon the
nature and design of the cellular beam (method of construction, shape and spacing of holes, etc.,) this
may require an analysis of the structural design data and the product data, or may represent a more
simple analysis of information based on the fire testing of unprotected beams in comparison with
protected beams. The former shall result in a product specific analysis or assessment of the combined
steel beam and protection product performance [similar to RT 1085] as provided by a competent
structural fire engineer.
In order to undertake the assessment and to determine the appropriate reactive coating thicknesses,
input data is required from [a] the steel beam manufacturer on the one hand and [b] the fire protection
coating manufacturer on the other.
6.3 The ASFP fire testing protocol for cellular beam protection
Where a reactive coating manufacturer wishes to obtain product specific thermal data for the fire protection of
cellular beams, this requires data from tests as described in the ASFP protocol. The assessments will be
primarily based on test information from 3rd party test laboratories accredited to ISO 17025; e.g. UKAS
accredited laboratories. Furnace control should be to either BS 476-21 or EN 13381-4: 2002* [for passive
protection systems] or prEN 13381-8* [for reactive coatings] when exposed to the standard time-temperature
curve specified in BS 476 -20 or BS EN 1363-1. [* See comments in the Notes to Section 7.1]
The ASFP test protocol only uses circular openings in the steel web. The approach initially requires a
conventional ‘plain beam’ assessment, (see 5.1) for each product which is to be tested and evaluated for use on
cellar beams. The ‘plain beam’ assessments provide a baseline dry film thickness onto which has to be added
an additional thickness derived from the beam characteristics.
N.B. Test programme results cannot be extrapolated for a higher period of fire resistance i.e. factors derived
from a 60 minute test programme cannot be used for 90 or 120 minute requirements.
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6.3.1 Thermocouples
Mineral insulated thermocouples must be used to in order to ensure reliable recording of the localised data and
can be fitted on either steel face at mid depth. However, the main beam web reference thermocouples must
form a 50mm square in the centre of the plain web areas, see Figure 8. A pair of diagonally opposite
thermocouples must be placed on either side of the web to form the 50mm square, which must be positioned
centrally between the stiffener and the vertical edge of the half circular opening.
In addition, three thermocouples must be used on each web post on the web post centre line (see Figure 8).
One must be fitted in the middle of the web post, and the outer two must be fitted 25mm from the edge of the
openings. For assessment purposes, the average web post temperature will be the weighted average based
upon the separation distances of each thermocouple from the edge of the opening.
Thirty-five mineral insulated thermocouples, with optional welded cover plates, must be used. These must be
placed in the web/flange corners and vertically up and down the web. The precise positions of the
thermocouples are not shown dimensionally, but their position in relation to each pair of circular and semi-
circular openings are shown in Figure 8. The test laboratory will provide detailed drawings in the test report.
It should be noted that the thermocouples above the bottom flange, on the centre line of the web post, should be
equidistant from the edge of the openings and the bottom flange. Likewise, the thermocouples below the full
circular openings should be equidistant from the edge of the opening and the bottom flange.
6.3.2 Dry film thickness [dft] measurements
Dry film thickness measurements should be taken in the usual way to provide an overall average for each
section. Specific zone ‘dft’s’ should also be measured as indicated below.
Ten ‘dft’ measurements should be taken in the web post zones WP1, WP2 and WP3, which must be situated
125mm above and below the web centreline - See Figure 9 below. These measurements should be taken
randomly on either side of the web and the thicknesses averaged separately for each face. The combined
averages of these measurements are considered to represent the average ‘dft’.
A “plain web reference zone” (WR) should also be included in the measurements. Ten ‘dft’ measurements
should be taken randomly either side of the web within a 250mm x 250mm square around the four
thermocouples. These measurements should then be averaged out for each side and a combined average
taken. See Figure 9 for details of the positions of the web post measurement zones i.e. WP1, WP2, WP3 and
WR.
Six ‘dft’ measurements must be taken on each of the underside bottom flange zones, BF1, BF2 and BF3. Each
zone must be 250mm in length and must be situated immediately below its equivalent web post zone. The
resultant measurements will be averaged as separate zones. Similarly, six measurements should be taken
immediately under the plain web reference zone BF0. See Figure 9 for details of the positions of the bottom
flange zones i.e. BF1, BF2 BF3 and BF0.
The total underside bottom flange (TBF) must also be averaged as a separate zone. In this respect, the total
zone averages of WR, WP1, WP2, WP3, TBF, BFO, BF1, BF2 and BF3 must be equal to or greater than 0.85 of
the maximum zone average, i.e. all zone ‘dft’s’ must be within 15% of each other. If any zone does not meet
this requirement, physical adjustments must be made to ensure compliance.
In the case of the intumescent coating around all other web thermocouples [not included in these zones] the
‘dft’s’ should be measured locally. Three measurements must be taken on each side of the steel section within
a 25mm radius of each thermocouple. The intumescent coating around the remaining bottom flange
thermocouples must also be treated in a similar manner - i.e. six ‘dft’ measurements must be taken on the
underside face only.
The short symmetrical beams must be treated as detailed above, but should exclude the plain web reference
area.
The short asymmetrical beam must also be treated as detailed above, but the web zones must be divided into
two discreet halves; above and below the centre line. Five ‘dft’ measurements should be taken above and
below the centre line on both sides of the web.
See Figure 10 for details of the positions of the thermocouples on both the symmetrical and asymmetrical short
beams.
Note: ‘dft’ measurements must be taken at a minimum of 20mm from the edge of any opening as electronic
gauges are not reliable at less than this distance. Refer to gauge manufacturers for details.
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6.3.3 Test specimens
The steel sections used in the test must be grade S275 and the loaded sections must be fabricated from plate
steel topped with Holorib composite decking. The decking should incorporate two shear connectors between
each dovetail, positioned across the top flange width, parallel to the dovetail. The concrete slab must be
120mm thick, 700mm wide and cast from C30 topping reinforced with A142 mesh.
It should be noted that the sections specified differ for the 60, 90 and 120 minute test programmes because, for
example, 120 minutes would not necessarily be achieved using the lighter more slender sections required for
the 60 minute fire test. The SCI has calculated the applied loads for each test programme in order to ensure
web post buckling at failure. Tables 25, 26 and 27 provide details of the sections to be tested for 60, 90 and
120 minute requirements.
All web openings must be circular and 400mm in diameter for both the 90 and 120 minute test sections.
Openings for the 60 minute test section should be circular and 380mm in diameter. The loaded sections must
incorporate three pairs of circular openings/half circular openings, to provide three web posts. The web post
widths must be 130mm. 160mm and 225mm and it should be noted that the beams must be fitted with stiffeners
in order to prevent web buckling. Figures 11, 12 and 13 provide details of web post widths and web stiffeners.
Each test programme must include four short sections. Each section must be 1200mm in length and must
incorporate two web posts as detailed. The test results will apply equally to any cellular beam made from hot
rolled steel sections or steel plate. Figure 10 provides details of the short sections.
NOTE - The short sections include web/flange ratios that apply to both hot rolled sections and plate girders, and
also cover a wide range of slenderness ratios from 50 to 97 and Hp/A’s from 100 m¯¹ to 270 m¯¹.
To provide an indication of the behaviour of protected asymmetrical sections, one of the 1200mm short sections
may be asymmetrical in order to provide a degree of basic thermal data
6.3.4 Web post line assessment
The web post assessment should be based on the ratio of the web post temperature to the average bottom
flange temperature; for each period of fire resistance. This ratio should be plotted against web post width.
Where the two web post assessments are carried out from a single fire test and the lower fire resistance period
results in lower web post factors than for the higher fire resistance period, the factors from the higher fire
resistance period must be used for both.
As a minimum requirement, the average bottom flange temperature must not reach 620ºC before it is in within
10% of the required period of fire resistance. However, it may be possible to extend the 10% limit provided that
sufficient supporting evidence is available. No upper limit has been set in this respect, as the web to flange
temperatures will be taken when the bottom flange has reached 620ºC and not when the predicted period of fire
resistance has been achieved. This will ensure that no benefit will be gained from conservative over-application
of the coating.
When the average bottom flange temperature reaches 620ºC the weighted average web temperatures should
be determined, according to the Position Number, as follows: -
Position 1: temperature of web post at a distance of 25mm from one edge of hole.
Position 2: temperature of web post at a distance of 25mm from other edge of hole.
Position 3: temperature at centre of web post.
a) For web post width 100mm
Average = (Position 1) + (Position 2) + (Position 3)
3
b) For web post width 130mm
When web post widths (P) are 130mm.
Weighted Average = (Position 1 x 45) + (Position 2 x 45) + (Position 3 x 40)
130
c) For web post width 160mm or more
When web post widths (P) are 160mm or greater.
160
d) For web post width 225mm
225
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The ratios of each [weighted average web post temperature / the overall bottom flange temperature] must be
determined at the time taken for the bottom flange to reach 620ºC and also at the required period of fire
resistance. In each case the higher value should be used as the relative temperature ratio.
The temperature ratios for each web post width are averaged using the data from the loaded beam and the
short sections. The web post width (X-axis) in mm should then be plotted against the average relative
temperature (Y-axis). The plot should take account of the reference area of the web, which is deemed to have a
web post width of 450mm, and should use the simple average web reference temperature. The 450mm ratio is
the “anchor point” for any plot and if this value is less than unity at the point where the line crosses unity on the
Y-axis, all web post ratios greater than this should be taken as one.
NOTE - The thermal data from the asymmetrical short sections is not used in the web post line calculation.
The web post line must not be extrapolated below 115mm unless additional test results can prove otherwise.
The web post line can be a linear or curved plot provided an R² >0.9 can be shown.
Web post assessments must be based upon fire test report and assessment from a 3rd party test laboratory
accredited to ISO 17025; e.g UKAS accredited laboratories, prior to submission to an independent structural
engineer recognised by the Engineering Council, such as the SCI. The structural engineer will then produce
specific limiting temperature tables based upon the specific web post line.
FIG 8. Thermocouple positions for loaded beams

l l
Bottom Flange Plan View – T/C Positions at ¼ points
FIG 9. – DFT Zones
WP1 WR WP2 WP3
BF1 BF0 BF2 BF3
TBF = Total Bottom flange Average – Underside only
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FIG 10. Short section detail
1200 mm 1200 mm
Post 1 Post 2 Post 1 Post 2
Bottom Flange Plan View – T/C Positions at ¼ points

Symmetrical Sections Asymmetric Section
Post 1 = 130 mm in all cases Post 1 = 130 mm
Post 2 = 160 or 225 mm Post 2 = 160 mm
FIG 11. Loaded section detail

4500
3565(3555
3035(3045)
Stiffeners on both
No. in brackets is for 60 min sides at loading
See Figure 12 for points: 50 x 10
test
1480(147 central dimensions
920 (930)
160 225 130

150 150
67
5
1725 See Figure 13 for
2775
end bearing detail
382 DO NOT SCALE
Test Steel depth Opening Flanges Web d/t Applied
60 500 mm 380 160x12 6 79 4 x 50kN

90 550 mm 400 180x12 8 66 4 x 90kN
120 550 mm 400 180x15 10 52 4 x 105kN
Note: All dimensions in mm. All steel grade S275. All welds 5mm double sided fillet. Web post
dimensions are for reference only
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FIG 12. Central dimensions 225
Based
on 400 100 approx
50
1725 425
2775
NOTE: The two “half” openings have been reduced in size and offset to increase the area of
plain web.
This will have negligible effect on the structural performance as the shear is very low in this
region.
FIG 13. End bearing detail
20 plate
25 Roller 50 400
dia
Floor slab detail DO NOT SCALE

Width 700
Depth 120
Decking Holorib or similar, Voids to be unfilled, Deck to span across flange
Deck sheet thickness 1 approx
Reinforcement A142, placed on deck
Shear connectors 19 dia x 100, welded through deck
Studs to be placed in pairs at every deck trough
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Table 25: Cell beam fire test programme - for 60minutes
Slenderness
Cell spacing
Plate Girder
Web: flange
Resistance
BottomTee
ratio (tw/tf)
Equivalent
Beam Ref
Hp/A (m-1)
Web post
Section
P (mm)
Parent
Depth
(mm)
(min)
Fire
S/d
d/t
500x160x12x6
LBa 406x140x39kg 60 500 79 130 1.325 200 0.58
N.B. 380 dia holes
4200mm 406x140x39kg 60 500 79 160 1.4 200 0.58
406x140x39kg 60 500 79 225 1.5625 200 0.58
SBa 356x127x33kg 600x125x10x6 60 600 97 130 1.325 250 0.67
1200mm 356x127x33kg 60 600 97 225 1.5625 250 0.67
SBb 356x171x51kg 600x171x12x8 60 600 73 130 1.325 195 0.58
1200mm 356x171x51kg 60 600 73 160 1.4 195 0.58
SBc TT356x127x33kg NA 60 600 84 130 1.325 NA 0.69
1200mm BT356x171x51kg 60 600 84 160 1.4 195 0.63
SBd 550x200x25x10 DITTO 60 550 50 130 1.325 100 0.40
1200mm 550x200x25x10 60 550 50 160 1.4 100 0.40
Note 1: Short section SBc is included for information only, relating to asymmetrical beams and is not used in the web post calculations.
This may be replaced by a second SBb but with both web posts 100mm wide, if data is required for narrower web posts.
Note 2: Bottom Tee Hp/A is based on the plate girder except in the case of the asymmetric section.
Table 26: Cell beam fire test programme - for 90minutes
Slenderness
Cell spacing
Plate Girder
Web: flange
Web post P
Resistance
BottomTee
ratio (tw/tf)
Equivalent
Beam Ref
Hp/A (m-1)
Section
Parent
Depth
(mm)
(mm)
(min)
Fire
S/d
550x180x12x8 d/t
LBb 406x178x67kg 90 550 66 130 1.325 190 0.60
NB 400 dia holes
4200mm 406x178x67kg 90 550 66 160 1.4 190 0.60
406x178x67kg 90 550 66 225 1.5625 190 0.60
SBe 356x171x51kg 600x171x12x8 90 600 72 130 1.325 195 0.64
1200mm 356x171x51kg 90 600 72 225 1.5625 195 0.64
SBf 356x171x57kg 600x171x15x8 90 600 71 130 1.325 165 0.62
1200mm 356x171x57kg 90 600 71 160 1.4 165 0.62
SBg TT356x171x51kg NA 90 600 68 130 1.325 NA 0.63
1200mm BT406x178x67kg 90 600 68 160 1.4 165 0.62
SBh 550x200x25x10 DITTO 90 550 50 130 1.325 100 0.40
1200mm 550x200x25x10 90 550 50 160 1.4 100 0.40
Note 1: Short section SBg is included for information only, relating to asymmetrical beams and is not used in the web post calculations.
This may be replaced by a second SBf but with both web posts 100mm wide, if data is required for narrower web posts.
Table 27: Cell beam fire test programme - for 120 minutes
Slenderness
Cell spacing
Plate Girder
Web: flange
Web post P
Resistance
BottomTee
ratio (tw/tf)
Equivalent
Beam Ref
Hp/A (m-1)
Section
Parent
Depth
(mm)
(mm)
(min)
Fire
S/d
d/t
550x180x15x10
LBc 406x178x74kg 120 550 52 130 1.325 145 0.67
N.B 400 dia holes
4200mm 406x178x74kg 120 550 52 160 1.4 145 0.67
406x178x74kg 120 550 52 225 1.5625 145 0.67
SBi 356x171x67kg 550x173x15x10 120 550 52 130 1.325 155 0.56
1200mm 356x171x67kg 120 550 52 225 1.5625 155 0.56
SBj 457x152x82kg 600x153x20x12 120 600 47 130 1.325 125 0.58
1200mm 457x152x82kg 120 600 47 160 1.4 125 0.58
SBk TT356x171x67kg NA 120 600 56 130 1.325 NA 0.63
1200mm BT457x152x82kg 120 600 56 160 1.4 135 0.62
SBl 550x200x25x10 DITTO 120 550 50 130 1.325 100 0.40
Note 1: Short section SBk is included for information only, relating to asymmetrical beams and is not used in the web post calculations.
This may be replaced by a second SBj but with both web posts 100mm wide, if data is required for narrower web posts.
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6.4 Cellular beams with rectangular openings protected by reactive coatings.
6.4.1 Background
This test programme is an extension to the protocol referred to in Section 6.3 and deals with cellular beams with
rectangular holes in the web. Prior to undertaking the testing it is essential that the testing protocol referred to in
Section 6.3 has been completed for beams with circular holes protected by the same reactive coating.
Cellular beams with rectangular web openings behave differently in fire compared with those containing circular
holes and therefore different structural design considerations are necessary. However the thermal data and
measurement of physical properties required for the assessment of each type may be generated in a similar
manner albeit they may be have different values.
6.4.2 Test Requirements
The testing is designed to extend the scope of the cellular beam testing protocol for beams with circular web
openings to include those with rectangular holes. It is not sufficient to allow the assessment of beams with
rectangular openings in isolation.
It is not required to test a loaded beam since it is considered that the ‘stickability’ of the coating has already
been demonstrated by the loaded test as required by the protocol for beams with circular openings.
It is however necessary to establish the relationship between the thermal data (web post temperature)
associated with beams with rectangular holes with that previously generated for beams with circular holes.
Therefore it is only required to test short unloaded beam sections to establish this relationship.
6.4.2.1 Measured Parameters
The following methods for the determination of various parameters should be adopted:
Thermocouples:
The type to be as defined in Section 6.3.1 but positioned as described in Section 6.4.2.3
Dry Film Thickness (dft) measurement:
Principles are as defined in Section 6.3.2. For the specific zones refer to 6.4.2.3
Web post line assessment:
The principles outlined in Section 6.3.4 should be followed and the web post weighted average temperature
calculated accordingly to the width of the web post as given in the Section 6.4.2.3
Section factor:
as defined in Section 6.
6.4.2.2 Test Specimens
Typically structural designs for beams with rectangular web openings means the spacing between holes is
much greater than the spacing for beams with circular web openings e.g. typically web post widths greater than
500mm are common for beams with rectangular web openings.
However, even though the testing should reflect realistic end use it should also provide a reasonable
comparison with the much shorter spacing for circular holes particularly as the structural model for beams with
rectangular holes in the webs will also cover much narrow web posts.
The following short unloaded beam test specimens are required for each reactive product:
Parent Section Web Post width

Beam Equivalent Plate Depth Slenderness* Web/Flange
(universal beam) (P)
Ref mm mm (d/t) Ratio* (tw/tf)
mm x mm x kg/m mm
200
SRB1 356x171x51 600x125x12/8 600 73 0.64
400
SRB2 356x171x51 600x125x12/8 600 73 600 0.64
130
SRB3 356x171x51 600x125x12/8 600 73 160 0.64
130
* data for Universal beam section
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The beams should be a minimum length of 1.5m, be symmetrical and installed within the test furnace in a
similar manner to those listed in Section 6. The holes should be 450mm high and situated at mid-height in the
web. The following drawings show the details.
Beam SRB1
DIMENSIONS IN MM. DO NOT SCALE
125
WEB CUT-OUT POSITIONS 62.5 62.5
150 200 200 200 400 200 150
C/L
FLANGE
450 WEB CUT-OUT

12
225
450
600
C/L
FULL WELD,
225
FULL LENGTH
FLANGE
1500 8 WEB
12
SIDE ELEVATION OF BEAM SRB1 VERTICAL SECTION
Beam SRB2

125
250 200 600 200 250
C/L
FLANGE
450 WEB CUT-OUT

12
225
450
600
C/L
FULL WELD,
225
FULL LENGTH
FLANGE
1500 8 WEB
12
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SRB3
125
140 200 160 200 130 200 130 200 140
C/L
FLANGE
450 WEB CUT-OUT

12
225
450
600
C/L
FULL WELD,
225
FULL LENGTH
FLANGE
1500 8 WEB
12
Dimensions in mm. Drawings not to scale.
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6.4.2.3 Thermocouple Positions
The thermocouple positions for the web posts for SRB3 (web post widths up to 200mm) are identical with those
for similar beams with circular holes defined in Section 6.3.4. The weighted average temperature is determined
in accordance with the calculations given in 6.3.4 i.e. the same as for short beams with circular holes.
A minimum of four thermocouples are to be fixed to the bottom flange of SBR3 in similar positions to those
shown for short beams with circular holes given in Figure 10.
Additional thermocouples are required on web posts greater than 200mm as shown in the following drawing to
take into account the effect of the greater mass of steel towards the centre of the web post. A minimum of four
thermocouples are to be fixed to the bottom flange in similar positions to those for SRB3.
400mm and 600mm Web Posts
25 25
equal equal equal
Centreline of
web post
Position 4
Position 1 Position 3
Position 2
Weighted web post average temperatures are determined as follows:

Web post 400mm
weighted average (Pos 1 x 50 ) + (Pos 2 x 150) + (Pos 3 x 150) + (Pos 4 x 50)
400
Web post 600mm

weighted average (Pos 1 x 50 ) + (Pos 2 x 150) + (Pos 3 x 150) + (Pos 4 x 50)
600
6.4.2.4 Measurement of Coating Thickness

The coating thickness will be measured in the web post areas and the lower flange areas adopting the principles
in Section 6.3.2 and as indicated in Figure 9.
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7. TEST AND ASSESSMENT METHODS TO THE EUROPEAN STANDARD
ENV 13381- 4
The current European fire test standard ENV 13381-4 is in the course of being revised and is expected to be
reissued as two separate standards. These are expected to be ENV 13381-4, which will cover passive products
such as boards and non-reactive spray coatings, and prEN 13381-8 which is expected to deal with reactive
coatings. Alternatively, the possibility exists that Part 8 may become a sub-section of a revised ENV 13381-4
7.1 Introduction
The European standard ENV 13381-4 adopts a slightly different approach to the assessment of fire protection to
structural steelwork when compared to that currently used in the UK. Therefore it may be helpful to consider
briefly the basic philosophies of the two approaches before discussing in detail the requirements of the
European standard.
The UK approach in earlier publications of this document considered the ability of the protection material to
maintain the steel temperature below the temperature at which structural failure occurs under the maximum
permissible design loading. Consequently the appraisal of the fire resistance of protected steel is usually
confined to this critical temperature. The testing programme and assessment procedures are designed to utilise
the critical temperature obtained from tests on fully loaded steel members. The critical temperature may be
different for columns and beams and therefore two design temperatures may be used in the assessment.
It is well documented that the ability of structural steel components to support load varies with temperature,
consequently the individual components of the steel frame of a building can be designed such that they are able
to support the applied load at temperatures other than that related to the maximum permissible loading.
Increasingly, buildings constructed using structural steel, particularly complex ones, are being designed using
fire engineering principles which provide for protection thicknesses which are related to the load-bearing
capability of the steel member in situ. For further information see Section 2
The European approach given in the ENV 13381-4 allows for a wider range of steel design temperatures,
generally 350ºC to 700ºC, to be used, consequently the thickness of applied fire protection may be varied in
accordance with the load carried by the individual steel member.
The European document is in two main parts: [a] the ‘Fire Test’ which specifies the tests required to provide
information about the physical and thermal performance of the protection material and [b] the ‘Assessment’
which prescribes how the data from the fire test is analysed.
NOTE 1 The fire testing and assessment of cellular beams is not within the scope of ENV 13381-4 and,
therefore there is currently no agreed European approach that deals with the fire protection of cellular beams.
Also see Section 6
7.2 General
The standard is designed to cover a range of thicknesses of applied protection material, a range of steel sizes, a
range of design temperatures and a range of fire protection periods. The evaluation consists of a test and a
subsequent assessment protocol based on the data obtained from the tested sections. There are three basic
assessment protocols which initially refer to I-shaped or H-shaped sections. Other shaped sections, e.g. hollow
sections, are dealt with by modifying the I or H section data or including additional test specimens.
The test programme specifies the test specimens appropriate to the assessment method and determines the
ability of the fire protection specimen to remain coherent and fixed to the steelwork (‘stickability’) and provides
data on the thermal characteristics of the material.
The test programme is carried out on loaded sections and unloaded short sections and may include a 2m tall
column if the protective system is reactive e.g. an intumescent product.
The loaded beam sections are subjected to a total load which represents 60% of the design moment resistance
according to ENV 1993-1-1, calculated using the nominal steel strength and the recommended values given in
ENV 1993-1-1.
The loaded column sections are subjected to an axially applied load which represents 60% of the design
buckling resistance according to ENV 1993-1-1, calculated using the nominal steel strength and the
recommended values given in ENV 1993-1-1.
The test loading required by the standard is largely similar to that adopted for tests to BS 476-21.
The assessment procedure is used to establish:
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(a) a correction factor for the physical performance or ‘stickability’ of the material based on the temperature
data derived from the testing of loaded and unloaded sections.
(b) the thermal properties of the material derived from the testing of short steel columns.
The standard defines criteria for acceptability which must be met for the assessment to be valid. It also defines
the limitations of the assessment and the permitted direct application of the results to variations in the tested
system e.g. different shaped sections.
A number of methods of analysing the test data are defined since there is unlikely to be a single method which
is suitable for all protection materials. The methods are listed as follows:
(a) Differential equation based on thermal conductivity (variable and constant)
(b) Multiple linear regression
(c) Graphical
The first analysis of the data is normally on the basis of either differential equation or numerical regression
methods.
Also defined is an evaluation of reactive systems against a slow heating regime which may be required in some
areas of Europe such as Germany.
7.3 Testing Protocol
The selection of the number and steel section sizes (section factor A/V) of the test specimens is decided
according to the assessment method. This largely relates to whether the protection material /product is passive
or reactive to the fire exposure. Generally, the standard adopts the principle that passive materials /products are
likely to be more predictable than reactive systems. Consequently, a lower number of test specimens will be
needed to satisfy the criteria of acceptability of the standard.
The methods associated with physical principles (thermal conductivity) and statistical analysis (multiple linear
regression) generally require less specimens than the graphical approach.
The assessment can be limited to 3 and 4 sided protection (beams and columns) or 4 sided protection (columns
only) at the request of the test sponsor.
Table 28: Steel sections to be tested to ENV 13381- 4 [for passive products]
or to prEN 13381-8 [for reactive coatings]
Equivalent Section Size Section Factor Section Factor
Specimen Loading Thickness
mm x mm x kg/m A/V Profiled A/V Boxed
Beam loaded 406 x 178 x 67 155 115 min
Beam unloaded 406 x 178 x 67 155 115 min
Beam loaded 406 x 178 x 67 155 115 max
Beam unloaded 406 x 178 x 67 155 115 max
Column loaded or unloaded 305 x 305 x 97 145 100 max
Typically the sections listed in Table 28 are to be tested in order to establish the physical properties of the
material (stickability):
The section sizes shown in Table 28 are the nearest UK equivalent of the sections listed in the European
document.
The unloaded sections are 1000mm plus or minus 50mm in length. The loaded beams have a heated
length of not less than 4000mm ; they also contain web stiffening at supports and loading points.
A tall column (305mm x 305mm x 97kg/m) with maximum thickness is also required for reactive systems.
For a separate assessment for columns only (4 sided protection) the above tall column and loaded beams
may be substituted by two tests on loaded columns (maximum and minimum thickness).
The standard selection of short columns for the differential equation or the regression analysis methods
(generally passive protection materials although they may be suitable for reactive systems if additional
specimens are included) is based on a minimum of 10 specimens and that for the graphical method
(generally thin film reactive systems) is 18 specimens. The test protocol specifies the particular section
size and thickness of material to be tested.
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Additional specimens may be needed to provide additional data points and the standard test packages
may be varied if the thickness of the protection is provided in a number of discrete thicknesses
7.4 Test Conditions
The furnace pressure and heating conditions are specified in EN 1363-1 and are similar to those given in BS
476-20. The temperature of the furnace is controlled using plate thermometers rather than the thermocouples
specified by the British standard. A description of the plate thermometer is given in Section 1.3.2.
When loaded beams are tested with short columns, plate thermometers located in the vicinity of the short
columns are used to control the furnace rather than those in the region of the loaded beam.
7.5 Properties of Test Component Materials
The properties of the test specimens, including steel section size, protection material thickness and distribution
and, where appropriate, the density of the material, are required to be measured for each specimen. The
measured properties are required to satisfy certain rules in order for the temperature data from the specimens to
be acceptable for the analysis.
7.6 Validity of the Temperature Data
The standard requires certain rules to be followed in order for the temperature data from the sections to be
considered valid for the analysis. These rules take into account malfunction of thermocouples and could lead to
the rejection of all the data obtained on a particular section. However, the standard requires a high number of
thermocouples on each section which makes the complete rejection of data from a section unlikely.
7.7 Correction of Temperature Data
Only temperature data from the short columns is used for the basic analysis. This data must be corrected
for ‘stickability’ and for any difference in protection thickness between the loaded sections and their
respective short section.
For reactive systems, correction is also made against the tall column.
The passive and reactive systems are treated slightly differently in respect of data correction, which also
relates to the method of analysis adopted.
In all cases the correction factors are calculated on the basis of steel temperature.
NOTE that the correction factors are based on the characteristic temperature which is the sum of the mean
temperature and the maximum temperature divided by 2.
For the analysis, the mean temperatures of the short steel columns are used.
7.8 Assessment Methods
Assessment of the thermal performance of the protective materials for all methods uses the corrected data for
the short columns.
7.8.1 Differential Equation
The two methods using the differential equation are based on a one dimensional heat flow equation and
assume the predominant heat flow is conduction through the protection material with the outer face assumed to
be at the standard fire temperature. The protection material is described using its thermal conductivity, specific
heat and density and the moisture content is also taken into account. The basic equation is:
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The differential equation is solved to give thermal conductivity as a function of time. The thermal conductivity is
then adjusted until the criteria for acceptability given in the document are just satisfied. The results are
presented to give the thickness of protection material required to provide specified fire resistance periods to
various section factors for various design temperatures.
7.8.2 Numerical Regression Analysis
The numerical regression analysis is a statistical approach which has time to reach a specified design
temperature, steel temperature, section factor and protection thickness as variables.
The multiple linear regression is performed using the following equation:
Transposition of Equation 5 to determine protection thickness gives:
Using the corrected data from the short columns, the regression coefficients are determined and modified if
necessary to satisfy the criteria for acceptability. The coefficients are used to predict the thickness of protection
material required to provide specified fire resistance periods to various section factors for various design
temperatures.
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7.8.3 Graphical Approach
At each design temperature the corrected data from each short column is used to provide plots of time to reach
the particular design temperature against protection thickness for constant section factors.
From each of these graphs and for each thickness of protection material a second series of graphs are plotted
showing the variation in time to reach the design temperature as a function of section factor.
When these graphs are plotted a number of simple rules must be applied. These rules are summarised as
follows:
1. The points on the graph are connected by straight lines, i.e. curve fitting is not allowed.
2. The time to the design temperature must also increase as the thickness of material increases.
3. The time to the design temperature must decrease as the section factor increases.
If rules 2 and 3 are not satisfied the relevant point is omitted.
From the second series of graphs the variation in section factor against temperature for each thickness of
material and for each specified period of fire resistance is plotted.
7.9 Criteria for Acceptability
For the assessment to be valid, the following criteria for acceptability must be met :
(a) For each short column section the predicted time to reach each design temperature shall not exceed the
time for the corrected temperature to reach the design temperature by more than 30%.
(b) The mean value of all percentage differences in time shall be less than zero.
(c) A maximum of 20% of individual values of all percentage differences in time shall be more than zero.
7.10 Direct Application of Results
Permitted extension of the variables evaluated during the test is dependent upon the assessment method
adopted and is given in Table 29.
Table 29: Permitted extension of the tested variables

Differential Equation Differential Equation Numerical
Assessment Method Graphical
(variable l) (fixed l) Regression
Section Factor A/V -20% to +50% -20% to +50% -10% to +10% 0%
Material Thickness -20% to +20% -5% to +5% -5% to +5% 0%
Design Temperature -0% to +10% -0% to +7.5% -0% to +5% 0%
7.11 Presentation of the Results

An example of a method of presenting the results is given in Table 30:
Table 30: Fire Resistance Classification R30 (30 minutes)

Design Temp ºC 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 limit
A/V Thickness of material required in mm
40
60
etc to limit
The limits on section factor, material thickness and temperature are those determined by Table 26.
The section factor interval may be varied as required.
The results may also be presented graphically.
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7.12 Applicability of the Results of the Assessment to Other Section Shapes
7.12.1 Structural Hollow Sections - Passive Protection Systems
For boxed protection systems the thickness for circular or rectangular hollow sections is equal to that for the I or
H section of the same boxed section factor.
For profiled protection systems the required thickness for circular or rectangular hollow sections is based on the
following modification to the equivalent thickness for I or H sections:
(a) For A/V values up to 250 m-1
where dp = thickness of protection based on I or H section data
A/V = section factor for hollow section

(b) For A/V values higher than 250 m-1
modified thickness = 1.25dp
where dp = thickness of protection based on I or H section data
The maximum thickness assessed for I or H sections should not be exceeded.
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7.12.2 Structural Hollow Sections - Reactive Protection Systems
In order to adapt the data derived from I or H sections to circular or rectangular hollow sections, it is necessary
to provide additional test evidence to confirm the ‘stickability’ of sections which have no re-entrant detail.
The test specimens are tall 2m circular or rectangular columns protected with both minimum and maximum
material thickness. For circular sections the nominal size recommended is 76.1mm diameter by 5mm wall
thickness (A/V = 214 m-1) and for rectangular sections the nominal size recommended is 100mm by 100mm by
7.1 mm wall thickness (A/V = 147 m-1).
The temperature data obtained from the hollow sections is used to correct the data from the short I or H section
columns in a similar manner to that referred to in the main body of this section of the document.
The maximum value of any correction factor should not exceed 1.5. If this value is exceeded the correction of
the I or H section data to suit hollow sections is deemed inappropriate and a new testing programme should be
undertaken involving hollow sections.
The maximum thickness assessed for I or H sections should not be exceeded unless substantiated by test.
7.12.3 Angles, Channels & T-Sections
The standard does not give specific guidance on the protection to these types of sections but merely refers to
obtaining advice from appropriate design codes such as those referred to in Section 1.
In the absence of a definitive European approach to assessing the required protection for these types of
sections it is considered reasonable to adopt the assessment method referred to in Section 3.
7.13 Assessment of Existing BS 476 Test Data to ENV 13381- 4
The test protocol and the assessment methodology of ENV 13381-4 differs with respect to the testing procedure
of BS 476-21 and the current UK assessment techniques in a number of important aspects. The most critical
are summarised as follows:
(a) The upper flange of the loaded beam is insulated from the lightweight slab above by an insulating gasket
compared with in situ cast high density concrete used for the BS test.
(b) The temperature of the upper flange is measured and used in the calculation of the characteristic
temperature. These temperatures may not be available with existing data.
(c) A greater number of thermocouples are fixed to the sections.
(d) The loading is applied to the top of the beam and not via the concrete slab.
(e) The loaded section contains web stiffeners.
(f) The short sections which provide the data for the analysis are columns only, whereas existing data is
likely to be a mixture of beams and columns that may not be as specified by the test protocol.
(g) The data must be corrected for ‘stickability’ and if appropriate for discrepancy in thickness. Without
identical unloaded reference beams it may not be possible to correct the data as required.
(h) The furnace temperature must be controlled using plate thermometers which were unlikely to be available
at the time the existing test data was generated.
Therefore, because of the differences highlighted above, and different assessment methods, BS 476 test data is
unlikely to be an acceptable basis for assessing to the requirements of ENV 13381-4.
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8. FIRE PROTECTION PRODUCT/ SYSTEM DATA SHEETS AND THEIR
APPLICATION
8.1 Structural fire protection using passive products/systems
8.1.1 Introduction
The data sheets in Section 9 for the various Passive fire protection products (boards and sprays) describe their
characteristics and summarise the recommended fixing systems. The data sheets enable the required
thickness of fire protection, for any given fire resistance period, critical steel temperature and Section Factor
(A/V), to be chosen for any steel section, without recourse to individual assessment. The manufacturer’s
installation instructions should be followed for on-site applications
Values of A/V for various sections for three and four sided protection are tabulated in Section 1, which also
shows in Fig. 6 how A/V values may be calculated for any protection configuration and sets out modified
procedures which may be required in respect of castellated sections and bracings, etc. The particular method of
calculating Section Factors for cellular beams is given in Section 6.
Each fire protection system has been the subject of test and has been assessed by one of the methods
described in Sections 3 and 4 or 5 or 6. These are:-
Tests and assessment based on the traditional UK procedure at steel temperatures of typically 550°C
and/or 620°C.
Assessment based on the traditional UK procedure but at a range of steel temperatures from 350°C to
700°C. Test data from BS476-21 or ENV 13381-4 (+ loaded column if vertical members are to be
included).
Tests and assessment based on the ENV 13381-4 procedures.
NOTE -The current European fire test standard ENV 13381-4 is in the course of being revised and is expected
to be reissued as two separate standards. These are expected to be ENV 13381-4, which will cover passive
products such as boards and non-reactive spray coatings, and prEN 13381-8 which is expected to deal with
reactive coatings. Alternatively, the possibility exists that Part 8 may become a sub-section of a revised ENV
13381-4. In addition, the fire testing and assessment of cellular beams is not within the scope of these
standards, therefore there is currently no agreed European approach that deals with the fire protection of these
types of beams. Also see text in Section 6.
The assessments are based on the critical steel temperatures listed above, ‘stickability’ and any limitations
which must be imposed on the basis of the physical characteristics of the materials.
The assessment methods can be used to derive thicknesses, for any specified critical steel temperature,
provided the necessary tests have been programmed correctly.
8.1.2 Notes on the application of the data sheets
In the following any reference made to “the manufacturer” is intended to imply manufacturer, supplier or
applicator as appropriate.
1. In respect of fire resistance, A/V and thickness, together with protection details, no deviation can be
made except for specific situations where some variation may be necessary. Such variations must be
validated by an independent authority, or an appropriate testing laboratory, or a ‘body’ as defined in
Appendix A of Approved Document B to the Building Regulations 2000. Ancillary data, contained in Data
Sheet items 12 to 16, are provided by the manufacturer for information and guidance only.
2. The protection techniques referred to as Profile and Box are explained in Section 1 (Figs. 1 and 2).
3. It is emphasized that the selection of the fire protection material should not be based on consideration of
fire resistance alone, but should involve other important aspects such as interior or exterior application,
impact and abrasion resistance. Products should comply with BS 8202 Guidance for the fire protection of
building elements, or with ETAG 018 Fire protective products: Specific guidance for individual products
may be obtained from the manufacturer.
4. The fire protection thicknesses embody safety factors which are incorporated within the EN assessment
procedure or which, in the UK assessment procedure, are due to the need to round up the calculated
thicknesses of board products to fit the available manufactured thickness and, in the case of spray
products, converting the calculated average thickness to a minimum on site.
5. Thicknesses of fire protection required for different A/V values, fire resistance periods and critical steel
temperatures are given in tabular form. Interpolation is permissible to determine thickness. However, if
the A/V of a section coincides with the cut off between two board product thicknesses, the lesser
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thickness shall be used. In using the data it is imperative that any “constraints for fire resistance” (item 11
in data sheets) are implemented.
6. For the surface preparation of the steel with respect to fire performance, reference should be made to the
individual data sheets or the product manufacturer. Where a direct bond to the steel is required, the
normal recommendation is for the steel to be de-greased and loose scale and rust removed. Where a
steel primer is specified it should be compatible with the protection and advice should be obtained from
the manufacturer of the protection material. For pre-formed casings, or board or spray applied to mesh,
no preparation of the steel is required. It does not matter if the steel is primed eg for corrosion purposes,
except in those instances where the protection is bonded to the steel section, when the primer must be
compatible with the adhesive used.
7. The thickness of protection to be applied to a section having a calculated A/V less than the minimum A/V
given in the data sheets is the thickness required at that minimum value. If the calculated A/V of a
section exceeds the maximum figure in the data sheets reference should be made to the manufacturer for
an individual assessment by an appropriate authority as defined in (1).
8. For wet applied protection, thicknesses given are minimum on site. The data sheets specify the dry
thickness. Where the thickness is found to be less than that specified it may still be acceptable provided
that:-
(a) The thickness is not less than 85% of the specified thickness, the deficient area does not exceed
1m2 and no other deficient area occurs within 3m of this area; or
(b) The thickness is not less than 75% of the specified thickness, the deficient area does not exceed
0.2m2 and no other deficient area occurs within 1m of this area.
9. Some materials undergo dimensional changes after application, and special care should be taken to
recognise this factor for site control purposes (see data sheets for information where appropriate).
10. In the case of sprayed/ trowelled protection, special consideration may have to be given to the need for
reinforcement or modified/additional support if the sections on site do not allow for encapsulation or if
there is no re-entrant detail, unless specific tests have been carried out. (See fig. 14)
Re-entrant detail
Examples showing encapsulation
Re-entrant detail No re-entrant detail
Examples showing no re-entrant detail

Figure 14: Protection Configurations
11. In the case of sprayed or trowelled protection to deep web or wide flange sections, “in-depth”
reinforcement in the form of a corrosion protected wire mesh, 25, 38 or 50mm x 0.9mm, should be
included where:
Web depth between flanges exceeds 650mm or flange width exceeds 325mm except where applicable
test data is available to show such reinforcement is unnecessary. The mesh should preferably be in the
middle third of the thickness and be retained by welded pins and non-return washers at nominal 500mm
centres. The use of expanded metal lath as a support medium does not obviate the need for this
additional reinforcement.
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12. Where expanded steel lathing is used to form a hollow encasement, it should be spaced from any steel
surface to allow penetration of the lath by the fire protection material to form a mechanical key. A method
for achieving this is to wire 6mm diameter steel rods to the lath prior to fitting.
13. Sprayed mineral materials should comply with BS 8202-1 “Code of practice for the selection and
installation of sprayed mineral coatings”.
14. The data sheet includes information on the limiting Section Factors (A/V) which can be protected with
each system.
8.1.3 Application of data sheets
The following examples demonstrate how the data sheets, tables and constraints should be interpreted and
applied for some of the protection systems which may be encountered. (Any similarities between any of the
examples and real products are unintentional.)
Example 1
A 406mm x 178mm x 60kg/m universal beam is to be protected on three sides using a spray applied
profile protection to provide fire resistance of 120 minutes at a critical steel temperature of 620°C.
(a) Determine the A/V value from tables in Section 1. In this case the A/V value is 170m-1 (Table 3).
(b) Consult the data sheet in Section 9 for the product selected to determine the thickness required. Product
“X” was chosen and an extract from its data sheet for a critical steel temperature of 620°C follows as
Table 31:
Table 31: Extract from datasheet for product ‘X’ criticial steel temperature 620°C
Section Thickness (mm) to provide fire resistance (minutes)
factor
A/V 30 60 90 120 180 240
150 10 12 25 36 57 79
170 10 13 26 38 60 83
190 10 13 27 40 63 87
210 10 14 28 41 65 90
This table indicates that the thickness required for a A/V of 170m-1 and fire resistance of 120 minutes would be
38mm, whilst that for a A/V of 190m-1 would be 40mm. If, the section factor had been 175m-1, then by linear
interpolation the theoretical thickness for a A/V of 175m-1 is 38.5mm. This should be rounded up and 39mm
would be the minimum on site thickness for the section factor of 170m-1.
Constraints for fire resistance, item 11 in some data sheets, must also be considered. They are:
(a) Minimum dry thickness - 10mm
(b) Maximum dry thickness for 60 minutes fire resistance -19mm
(c) Maximum dry thickness for 120 minutes fire resistance - 42mm
(d) Maximum un-reinforced thickness for up to and including 240 minutes fire resistance - 70mm
It will thus be seen that 38mm, un-reinforced, is acceptable for 120 minutes fire resistance.
Example 2
A universal beam section 762mm x 267mm x 173 kg/m is used as a column and it is required to be
protected on four sides using a box encasement to provide fire resistance of 240 minutes at a critical
steel temperature of 550°C.
The A/V value from Table 3 in Section 1 is 95m-1. Product “U” was selected and part of the block diagram
relating A/V to thickness of protection and fire resistance period at a critical steel temperature of 550°C, given in
its data sheet, is presented below in Table 31 as an extract from the data sheet.
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Table 32: Extract from table for “Product U”
Fire resistance period (minutes)
550°C Product
Section factor A/V (Hp/A)
thickness
30 60 90 120 180 240
89 30mm
95 36mm
101 45mm
110 48mm
119 54mm
From the table it will be seen that the A/V value coincides with the boundary between 45mm and 36mm. Hence
in accordance with Note 5 in 5.1.2 the requirement is 36mm, the lesser protection thickness.
The data sheet must also be consulted to check that 36mm for 240 minutes fire resistance is within the
limitations imposed by the constraints and to establish how 36mm can be obtained within the thicknesses
available. The following extracts from the data sheet are therefore reproduced:
9. Thickness range
Nominally 12,15, 18 and 21mm in single layers but may be laminated to produce greater thicknesses.
10. Fire resistance range:
(a) 30 to 240 minutes
(b) A/V: 17-260m-1
11. Constraints for fire resistance
(a) Minimum thickness - 12mm
(b) Maximum single layer thickness - 21mm
(c) Maximum multi-layer thickness - 63mm
(d) No more than 3 laminates may be used to provide the thickness and the thickest laminate should
be on the outside
(e) Minimum thickness for 180 minutes - 18mm
(f) Minimum thickness for 240 minutes - 21mm
(g) For 240 minutes fire resistance in laminated panels, the outer layer should not be less than 18mm.
The board thickness information indicates that a laminated system is required and constraint (d) requires that
not more than three laminates may be used. Further, constraints (d) and (g) state that the thickest layer should
be on the outside and not less than 18mm thick.
In this example, to create 36mm of fire protection therefore requires two layers each 18mm thick.
8.1.4 Failure Temperatures
For the purpose of consistency in earlier editions of this publication, all assessments of passive fire protection
materials were assessed on the basis of a failure temperature of 550°C. A failure temperature of 620°C could
however be adopted for passive materials when applied to steel beams supporting a concrete slab provided test
data was available to support this critical temperature. Intumescent coatings were generally assessed on the
basis of 620°C for beams with concrete slabs over. 550°C has generally been used for columns and other
beams.
However, as described in Section 1.5 of Section 1, many structural design codes now include “fire resistant”
design, introducing the concept of a variable steel failure or limiting temperature. As such, this publication now
includes assessments at a range of limiting /critical steel temperatures from 350°C to 700°C (usually in 50°C
steps) based on either the traditional UK procedure or on the EN procedures.
Manufacturers may utilise data based upon other failure temperatures where this is appropriate to the design of
the structure and the data has been assessed by an appropriate independent body.
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8.2 Structural fire protection using reactive coatings
8.2.1 Introduction
The data sheets for the various reactive coatings describe their characteristics and application techniques to
enable the correct thickness of coating for any given fire resistance period to be chosen for any steel section,
given its A/V and critical steel temperature, without recourse to individual assessment.
Values of A/V for various sections for three and four sided protection are tabulated in Section 1 which also
shows (Fig. 6) how A/V values may be calculated for any protection configuration.
Each product has been the subject of test and has been assessed by one of the methods described in Sections
3 and 5 These are:
a) Tests and assessment based on the traditional UK procedure at steel temperatures of typically 550°C
and/or 620°C.
b) Assessment based on the traditional UK procedure but at a range of steel temperatures from 350°C to
700°C. Test data from BS 476-21 or prEN 13381-8 plus a loaded column if vertical members are to be
included.
c) Tests and assessment based on the prEN 13381-8 procedures [also see NOTE below]
The assessments are based on the limiting / critical steel temperatures listed above, ‘stickability’ and any
limitations which must be imposed on the basis of the physical characteristics of the materials.
The assessment method can be used to derive thicknesses for any specified critical temperature, provided the
necessary tests have been programmed correctly.
NOTE - The current European fire test standard ENV 13381-4 is in the course of being revised and is expected
to be reissued as two separate standards. These are expected to be ENV 13381-4, which will cover passive
products such as boards and non-reactive spray coatings, and prEN 13381-8 which is expected to will deal with
reactive coatings. Alternatively, the possibility exists that Part 8 may become a sub-section of a revised ENV
13381-4. In addition, the fire testing and assessment of cellular beams is not within the scope of these
standards, therefore there is currently no agreed European approach that deals with the fire protection of these
types of beams. Also see text in Section 6.
8.2.2 Notes on the application of the data sheets
In the following any reference made to “the manufacturer” is intended to imply manufacturer, supplier or
applicator as appropriate.
1. In respect of fire resistance, A/V and thickness (together with protection details) no deviation can be
made except for specific situations where some variation may be necessary. Such variations must be
evaluated by an independent authority or an appropriate testing laboratory or consultant, as defined in
Appendix A of Approved Document B to the Building Regulations 2000. Ancillary data, contained in Data
sheet items 1 to 16, are provided by the manufacturer for information and guidance only.
2. The protection techniques referred to as Profile and Box, are explained in Section 1 (Figs. 1 and 2).
3. It is pointed out that the selection of the fire protection material should not be based on consideration of
fire resistance alone, but should involve other important aspects such as interior or exterior application,
impact and abrasion resistance. Products should comply with BS 8202 Guidance for the fire protection of
building elements or with ETAG 018 Fire protective. Specific guidance for individual products may be
obtained from the manufacturer.
4. Thicknesses of fire protection required for different A/V values, fire resistance periods and critical steel
temperatures are given in tabular form. Interpolation is permissible to determine thickness. In using the
data it is imperative that any “constraints for fire resistance” noted in data sheets are implemented.
5. Preparation of steel is given against each product.
6. The thickness of protection to be applied to a section having a calculated A/V less than the minimum A/V
given in the data sheets is the thickness required at that minimum value. If the calculated A/V of a
section exceeds the maximum figure in the data sheets reference should be made to the manufacturer for
an individual assessment by an appropriate authority as defined in (1) which will take into account all
aspects of the project.
7. The data sheets specify the dry film thickness.
8. Some materials undergo dimensional changes after application, and special care should be taken to
recognise this factor for site control purposes (see data sheets for information where appropriate).
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9. The data sheet includes information on the limiting section factors (A/V) which can be protected with each
system.
8.2.3 Application of data sheets
The following examples demonstrate how the data sheets, tables and constraints should be interpreted and
applied for some of the protection systems which may be encountered. Any similarities between any of the
examples and real products are unintentional
Example 1
A 406 x 178mm x 60kg/m universal beam is to be protected on three sides using an intumescent coating
to provide fire resistance of 30 minutes at a critical steel temperature of 620°C.
1. Determine the A/V value from tables in Section 1, in this case the A/V value is 170m-1 (Table 3).
2. Consult the data sheet in Section 9 for the product selected to determine the dry film thickness required
for this A/V value along with other constraints on usage and the manufacturer’s claims regarding
durability. Product “M” was chosen and an extract from its data sheet for a critical steel temperature of
620°C follows:
For A/V up to and including 191m-1 use 1.8mm dry film thickness to provide 30 minutes fire
resistance for flexural members. For A/V up to and including 285m-1 use 2.3mm dry film thickness
to provide 30 minutes fire resistance for flexural members.
The data indicates that the dry film thickness required for an A/V of 170m-1 and fire resistance of 30
minutes would be 1.8mm.
Example 2
A circular hollow section column of external diameter 219.1mm and wall thickness 10mm is to be used
as a compression member and to be profile protected using a reactive coating at a critical steel
temperature of 550°C.
1. Determine the A/V value from Table 12 in Section 1. In this case the A/V value is 105m-1.
2. Consult the data sheet in Section 9 for the product selected to determine the dry film thickness for this
A/V value along with other constraints on usage and the manufacturer’s claims regarding durability.
Product “S” was chosen and the following figures were extracted from the data sheet at a critical steel
temperature of 550°C as shown:
60 minutes
Compression CHS For A/V up to 140m-1 use 2.5mm
For A/V 141 - 200m-1 use 4.5mm
The table indicates that a minimum dry film thickness of 2.5mm is required for a compression member
with an A/V value of 105m-1.
Before the intumescent coating is applied the steel should be shot blasted and primed. Reference should be
made to the manufacturer for advice on suitable primers, and on the durability of the coating if the column is in
an external location.
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9. BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIALIST FIRE PROTECTION www.asfp.org.uk
ASFP TGN 002-1:1994 Spray coatings for the fire protection of structural steel: Part 1 – Technical guidance note for the
mechnaical retention of sprayed mineral coatings based upon the requirements of BS 8202-
1:1993
ASFP TGN 003-1: 1996 On site measurement of intumescent coatings: Part 1: Technical guidance note for measurement
of dry film thicknesses for intumescent coatings
ASFP TGN 006: 1998 Structural steel fire protection using intumescent coting systems in conjunction with - [a] existing
paint layers [b] zinc rich primers
ASFP TGN 007:2001 On site guidance note for the specifiction and use of site applied intumescent coating systems
ASFP ‘Yellow Book’ Fire protection for structural steel in buildings: 4th Edition: 2007: ISBN 978 1 870409 25 4
BODYCOTE WARRINGTONFIRE www.bodycote.com
BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION www.bsi-global.com
BS 449-2: 1996 Structural steel in buildings: 1996 Metric units
BS 476: Fire tests on building materials and structures
BS 476-4: 1970 [1984] Non combustibility tests for materials
BS 476-20: 1987 Method for determination of the fire resistnce of load bearing elements of construction [general
principles]
BS 476-21: 1987 Method for determination of the fire resistance of load bearing elements of construction
BS 476-22: 1987 Method for determination of the fire resistance of non load-bearing elements of construction
BS 476-23: 1987 Methods for determination of the fire resistance of the contribution of components to the fire
resistance of a structure
BS 5950 The stuctural use of steelwork in buildings
BS 5950-1: 1990 Code of Practice for design in simple and continuous construction
BS 5950-3 Design in composite construction; Section 3.1 Code of Practice for design in simple and
continuous composite beams
BS 5950-8: 2003 Structural use of steelworkin buildings – Part 8; Code of Practice for fire resistant design
BS 8202 Coatings for fire protection of building elements
BS 8202-1:1995 Code of practice for the selection and installation of sprayed mineral coatings
BS 8202-2:1992 Code of practice for the use of intumescent coating systems to metallic substrates for providing
fire resistance
DD 9999: 2005 Code of practice for fire safety in the design, construction and use of buildings
BSI/ EUROPEAN STANDARDS
BS EN 1363-1:1999 Fire resistance tests - Part 1: General requirements
BS EN 1363-2:1999 Fire resistance tests - Part2: Alternative and additional procedures
ENV 1363-3: 1998 Fire resistance tests -Part 3: Verification of furnace performance
BS EN 1365-3:2000 Fire resistance tests for load-bearing elements: Part 3: Beams
BS EN 1365-4:1999 Fire resistance tests for load-bearing elements: Part 4: Columns
BS EN 1991-1 Eurocode 1: Basis of design and actions on structures. Part 1: Basis of design
BS EN 1991-2 Eurocode 1: Basis of design nd action on structures. Part 2: Actions on structures exposed to fire
BS EN 1993 -1-1 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structurs Part 1.1 General rules and rules for buildings
BS EN 1993-1-2:2005 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures. Part 1-2:General rules – Structural fire design
BS EN 1994-1-2:2005 Eurocode 4 – Design of composite steel and concrete structures. Part 1-2: General rules –
Structural fire design
BS EN 13501-2: 2003 Fire classification of construction products and building elements: Classification using data from
fire resistance tests, excluding ventilation services
ENV 13381-2:2002 Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members: Part 2:
Vertical protective membranes
th
ENV 13381-3:2002 Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members:
Part 3: ApplIed protection to concrete members
ENV 13381 -4: 2002 Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members:
Part 4: Applied protection to steel members
PrEN 13381-8 Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members:
Part 8: Applied reactive protection to steel members
PrEN 13381-4 Test methods for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members:
Part 4: Applied passive protection to steel members
ETAG 018-1 Fire protective products: Part 1: General
ETAG 018-2 Fire protective products: Part 2: Reactive coatings for fire protection of steel elements
ETAG 018-3: 2006 Fire protective products: Part 3: Renderings and rendering kits intended for fire resisting
applications
ETAG 018-4: 2003 Fire protective products: Part 4: Fire protective board, slab and mat products and kits
BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT Ltd [BRE] www.bre.co.uk
BRE Report [BR 128] Guidelines for the construction of fire resisting structural elements: 1998: MORRIS W.A; READ
R.E.H and COOKE G.M.E; ISBN 0 85125 293 1
DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT www.communities.gov.uk
www.planningportal.gov.uk
Approved Document B: 2006 – Fire safety. Volumes 1 and 2
The Building Regulations 2000 [SI 2000/2531] for England and Wales
The Regulatory Reform [Fire Safety] Order 2005: ISBN 0 11072 945 5
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS www.dfes.gov.uk
Building Bulletin [BB] 100
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH www.dh.gov.uk
HTM 05-02 Guidance in support of functional provisions for healthcare premises
EUROPEAN COMMISSION www.ec.europa.eu
Construction Products Directive: CPD 89/106/EC
Commission Decision 2000/553/EC of 6th September 2000 implementing Council Directive 89/106/EC
Commision Decision [European tests] 2000/367/EC of 3rd May 2000 implementing Council Directive 89/106/EC
The European CE Marking Directive [93/68/EC]
Construction Products Regulations 1991 [SI 1991 No 1620]
Construction Products [Amendment] Regulations 1994 [SI 1994 No 3051]
FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION www.thefpa.co.uk
The LPC design guide for the fire protection of buildings 2000
Essential principles
FOOTBALL LICENSING AUTHORITY www.flaweb.org.uk/home.php
Concourses: ISBN 0 95462 932 9
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSION www.hse.gov.uk
The Workplace [Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992
Construction [Design and Management] Regulations 2007 : Managing health and safety in construction
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANISATION www.iso.org
ISO / IEC 17025: 2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and claibration laboratories
ISO 9000: 2005 Quality management systems – Fundamentals and vocabulary
NORTHERN IRELAND www2.dfpni.gov.uk/buildingregulations
The Building Regulations [Northern Ireland] 2000
DFP Technical Booklet E – Fire safety 2005
th
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION www.pfpf.org.uk
Ensuring best practice for pasive fire protection in buildings; ASFP ISBN 978 1 870409 19 3
STEEL CONSTRUCTION INSTITUTE [SCI] www.steel-sci.org
SCI 288 Fire safe design: A new approach to multistorey steel framed buildings [ 2nd Edition]
ISBN 1 85942 169 5
SCI P313 Single storey steel framed buildings in fire boundary conditions ISBN 85942 135 0
SCI P109: 1991 The fire resistance of composite beams –Lawson R.M and Newman G.M
SCI P109: 2nd Edition The fire resistance of composite floors with steel decking [2nd Edition] – Newman GM
SCI RT 1085v04: 2007 Guidance on the use of intumescent coatings for the fire protection of beams with web openings
SCOTLAND www.infoscotland.com/firelaw
The Building Scotland Regulations 2004
Technical Handbook [Fire] 2005 for domestic and non-domestic buildings
THE FIRE TEST STUDY GROUP [UK] [FTSG] www.warringtonfire.net
UKAS www.ukas.com
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service
th
10. LIST OF PRODUCT DATA SHEETS
BOARDS...........................................................................................................................................................Vol 2: Part 1
British Gypsum Gyplyner Encase ................................................British Gypsum Ltd
ColumnClad .................................................................................Rockwool Ltd
FirePro Beamclad Systems .........................................................Rockwool Ltd
Glasroc Firecase S ......................................................................British Gypsum Ltd
Knauf Fireboard ...........................................................................Knauf Insulation
Intutec ..........................................................................................Firetherm
Promat TD Board .........................................................................Promat UK Ltd
Promatect 250..............................................................................Promat Ltd
Rocksilk FireTech Slab & Rocksil Dry Fix Noggin Slab................Knauf Insulation
Supalux........................................................................................Promat UK Ltd
Vermiculux ...................................................................................Promat UK Ltd
CASINGS / BLANKETS ...................................................................................................................................Vol 2: Part 2

Firemaster 607 Blanket................................................................Thermal Ceramics Ltd
CIRCULAR PRE-FORMED PRODUCTS .........................................................................................................Vol 2: Part 2

FirePro Fire Tube.........................................................................Rockwool Ltd
Vicutube.......................................................................................Promat UK td
SPRAYED NON REACTIVE COATINGS .........................................................................................................Vol 2: Part 3

Cafco 300 ....................................................................................Cafco International
Cafco Blazeshield II .....................................................................Cafco International
Cafco Mandolite CP2 ...................................................................Cafco International
Cafco Mandolite HS3 ...................................................................Cafco International
Cafco Mandolite TG .....................................................................Cafco International
Monokote MK6.............................................................................Grace Construction Products
Monokote Z106 ............................................................................Grace Construction Products
Monokote Z146 ............................................................................Grace Construction Products
Steelguard CM4703 .....................................................................PPG Industries
Steelguard CM4704 .....................................................................PPG Industries
SPRAYED REACTIVE INTUMESCENT COATINGS .......................................................................................Vol 2: Part 4

3M Scotchkote SPX 710 ..............................................................3M E Wood
Firesteel 47-4 ...............................................................................Firetherm
Firesteel 47-4 EXT .......................................................................Firetherm
Firesteel Classic 120....................................................................Firetherm
Firetex FX1000 / FX2000.............................................................Leighs Paints
Firetex FX5000 ............................................................................Leighs Paints
Firetex FX5002 ............................................................................Leighs Paints
Firetex M95 ..................................................................................Leighs Paints
Interchar 212................................................................................International Paint Ltd
Intusteel WB ................................................................................Bollom Fire Protection
Nullifire System S605...................................................................Nullifire Ltd
Nullifire System S707-60 .............................................................Nullifire Ltd
Nullifire System S707-120 ...........................................................Nullifire Ltd
Sika Unitherm Safir ......................................................................Sika Korrosionsschutz GmbH
Sika Unitherm 38091 ...................................................................Sika Korrosionsschutz GmbH
Sprayfilm WB3 .............................................................................Cafco International
Steelguard FM549 .......................................................................PPG Industries
Steelguard FM2570 .....................................................................PPG Industries
Steelguard 551.............................................................................PPG Industries
Steelguard 561.............................................................................PPG Industries
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Fire Protection For Structural Steel in Buildings

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Fire Protection For Structural Steel in Buildings

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YELLOW BOOK

Fire protection for structural steel

Association for Specialist Fire Protection

DATE SECTION AMENDMENT SUMMARY SOURCE

© 2007 Association for Specialist Fire Protection

Profile Box Solid

Profile Box Solid

Limiting temperature [degrees C] at a load ratio of

Fast Heating Slow Heating

Table 2: Assessment of fire protection requirements for bracing

1.6.5 Section Factor (A/V) for tees, angles, channels

Steel section Profile protection

Universal beams, universal 4 sides 3 sides 3 sides 2 sides 1 side

t Partially exposed Partially exposed

2B + 2D + 2(B - t) B + 2D + 2(B - t) B + 2d + (B - t) B + D + 2(B - t)/2

4 sides 3 sides 3 sides

t Flange to soffit Toe of web to soffit

4 sides 3 sides 3 sides

4 sides 3 sides 3 sides

Hollow sections, 4 sides 3 sides

Example a) Profile protection - 4 sided exposure b) Profile protection - 3 sided exposure

Steel section Box and solid protection

Universal beams, universal 4 sides 3 sides 3 sides 2 sides 1 side

Partially exposed Partially exposed

4 sides 3 sides 3 sides

Flange to soffit Toe of web to soffit

4 sides 3 sides 3 sides

Flange to soffit Toe of flange to soffit

4 sides 3 sides 3 sides

Web to soffit Flange to soffit

Hollow sections, 4 sides 3 sides

Example continued c)c) BoxBox

Dimensions to BS4 Part 1:2005

Dimensions to BS4 Part 1:2005

Dimensions to BS4 Part 1:2005

Dimensions to BS4 Part 1:2005

Dimensions to BS 4 Part 1:1993

Table 6: October 2006 Section factor A/V (Hp/A)

Dimensions to BS4 Part 1:2005

Dimensions to BS4 Part 1:2005

TABLE 11: July 06

Dimensions to EN 10210 Dimensions to

Dimensions to EN 10210 Dimensions to

Dimensions to EN 10210 Dimensions to

Dimensions to EN 10210 S355J2H

Dimensions to EN 10210 S355J2H

Dimensions to EN 10210 S355J2H

Dimensions to EN 10210 S355J2H

Dimensions to EN 10210 S355J2H

Serial size Serial size Serial size

2.2 Load ratio

Table 17: Limiting temperature for columns and beams

2.3 Composite beams and voids

Table 18: Recommendations for beams assessed at 550°C or 620°C

Trapezoidal Deck Dovetail Deck

K = thickness factor = (dp - dpmin) / (dpmax - dpmin), where

Fire resistance time (minutes) t = a0 + a1 dp V/A + a2 dp

Permitted extended use of data

Table 23: data for example

LB loaded beam. Ref B equivalent short beam

* obtained by linear interpolation between kmax and kmin as follows:

Table 24: Permitted extended use of data

Limiting Steel Temperature: 550 Deg C