ENGINEERING
ETN-B-2-16
Fire Resistance of Flat Plate
Voided Concrete Slab Systems
Technical Note Introduction
Concrete and steel are noncombustible
materials; that is, they will not ignite or burn
when subjected to fire or heat. Because
reinforced concrete assemblies and sys-
tems are inherently fire resistant, no ad-
ditional fire protection is required to meet
common minimum fire ratings prescribed
in the building codes. These inherent mate-
rial properties reduce fire risk and require
minimum ongoing maintenance over the
lifetime of a building.
Flat plate voided concrete slab systems,
which have been used for many years in
Europe and other parts of the world, are
becoming increasingly popular in the U.S.
because of many inherent benefits that
can be provided. Descriptions of the vari-
ous types of flat plate voided concrete
slab systems are given in the next section.
Information and guidelines on how to deter-
mine the fire resistance for these systems
are also provided as are results from fire
tests. The data shows that the design of
flat plate voided concrete slab systems for
fire protection is the same as that for other
reinforced concrete structures and that a ¾
in. cover to the bottom reinforcing bars will
provide a minimum 2-hour fire-resistance
rating, which meets minimum required fire-
resistance ratings for floor assemblies in
common occupancies.
Flat Plate Voided Concrete Slab
Systems
Various types of voided concrete slabs
have been used throughout the years,
including one-way Sonotube systems
and two-way joist (waffle slab) systems
that are constructed using dome forms.
Contemporary systems, pioneered primar-
ily by BubbleDeck® and Cobiax®, utilize hol-
low, plastic balls made out of high-density,
recycled polyethylene (HDPE), which are
commonly referred to as void formers (see
Figure 1). These are usually spherical or el-
lipsoidal in shape and are positioned within
wire support cages to create modular grids
(cage modules), which are locked between
the upper and lower reinforcement layers
in the concrete slab (see Figure 2). The void
formers reduce the weight of the slab sig-
nificantly compared to a solid slab of the
same thickness; they are judiciously locat-
ed in zones where concrete is not needed
and where the flexural strength and load
transfer to supports are not compromised.
Typical site installation of a cast-in-place,
flat plate voided concrete slab is as follows
(Figure 1b):
1. Formwork is erected and bottom rein-
forcing bars are placed.
2. Cage modules that contain the void
formers are placed and tied perpen-
dicular to the top layer of bottom rein-
forcing bars.
3. Top reinforcing bars are placed directly
on and tied to the cage modules.
4. First layer of concrete is cast, which
covers the bottom reinforcing bars
and the lower portion of the cage
modules. This layer of concrete es-
sentially anchors the cage modules
and prevents possible upward move-
ment due to buoyancy when the sec-
ond layer of concrete is placed.
5. Second layer of concrete is cast to the
required overall thickness of the slab
system.
Another type of voided slab system uti-
lizes a reinforced precast concrete layer,
which essentially replaces the horizontal
formwork of the cast-in-place system de-
scribed above. Installation of this system is
as follows (Figure 1a):
1. Cage modules with top and all of the
bottom structural reinforcement are
precast into 3-in.-thick panels.
2. The panels are set on shoring that is
spaced 7 ft on center.
3. On site, a layer of concrete is cast to
the required overall thickness.
In applications where 30 to 50 foot spans
are required, the overall depth of the slab
can range from 10 to 21.5 in. It is common
at column locations that void formers are
omitted so that a solid concrete section is
 (a)
Figure 1 – Void formers (a) BubbleDeck® and (b)Cobiax USA® (photos courtesy of BubbleDeck and Cobiax USA).
available to resist two-way shear stresses (see Figure
3). Where additional shear strength is required, shear re-
inforcement, such as headed shear stud reinforcement,
can easily be accommodated, as shown in the Figure.
Flat plate voided concrete slabs systems are designed
and detailed in accordance with requirements of ACI 318
(ACI 2014) just like any other two-way slab system. It is
important to note that the void formers do not contribute
to the nominal flexural and shear strengths of the slab
system; their only role is to provide voids in the slab.
Stiffness and shear modification factors are provided for
deflection and shear strength calculations, respectively,
which are used in design to take into account the pres-
ence of the voids within the slab. No modification factors
are required for flexure because the voids do not have an
impact on flexural strength; nominal flexural strength is
based on compression in the concrete and tension in
the reinforcing bars, just as in any other two-way slab
system. Additional design and detailing information, in-
cluding a worked-out design example, can be found in
CRSI (2014).
In addition to reduction in dead load, there are other
noteworthy benefits that can be realized by utilizing a
voided slab system, including economical long spans
without forming and casting of beams, low floor-to-floor
heights, and vibration resistance. See CRSI (2014) and
manufacturers’ literature for more information.
Fire-Resistance Ratings
In general, fire-resistance rating (or, fire rating), is the
period of time (usually expressed in hours) a building ele-
ment, component, or assembly maintains the ability to
contain a fire, continues to perform a given structural
function, or both. Fire ratings are determined by tests
2 Fire Resistance of Flat Plate Voided Concrete Slab Systems [ETN-B-2-16]
(b)
or by the methods prescribed in Section 703.3 of the
International Building Code (IBC) (IBC 2015).
Required Fire-Resistance Ratings
Required fire-resistance ratings for elements in build-
ings are given in Table 601 of the IBC based on the
construction type (I though V). Types I and II are types
of construction where the building elements are of
noncombustible materials, which includes reinforced
concrete. The minimum fire-resistance rating for floor
elements in Type I construction is 2 hours.
Test Methods to Determine Fire-Resistance Ratings
IBC Section 703.2 permits the test procedures in
ASTM E119 (ASTM 2016a) and UL 263 (UL 2015) for de-
termining fire-resistance ratings of building elements,
components, and assemblies. Standard fire tests are
conducted by placing an assembly in a furnace and
subjecting it to a fire that follows a standard time-tem-
perature curve. Fire-resistance rating of an assembly is
determined by the duration of the test until one of the
following end-points is reached:
• F
 ire passage end-point (Walls, partitions, floors, and
roofs)
Cotton waste ignites as a result of flames or hot
gases passing through holes, cracks, or fissures in
the assembly.
• H
eat transmission end-point (Walls, partitions,
floors, and roofs)
Temperature of the unexposed surface of the as-
sembly rises an average of 250°F above its initial
temperature.
Figure 2 – Flat plate voided concrete slab system.
• S
 tructural end-point (All assemblies and members)
Test specimen is unable to sustain the applied load-
ing (collapse).
The results from fire tests on flat plate voided concrete
slabs systems are summarized below.
Reinforced concrete meets the requirements of being
a noncombustible material that are set forth in ASTM
E136 (ASTM 2016b), and reinforced concrete assem-
blies are generally classified as restrained assemblies
in accordance with ASTM E119. Restrained assemblies
perform better during a fire compared to assemblies that
are unrestrained.
Calculations to Determine Fire-Resistance Ratings
Section 703.3 of the IBC permits the use of calcula-
tions performed in accordance with Section 722 as one
of the acceptable ways of determining fire-resistance
ratings for structural members. The fire-resistance rat-
ings provided in that section are based on ASTM E119
fire tests. For reinforced concrete, values of minimum
member thickness/size and minimum concrete cover
over reinforcement are provided for various fire-resis-
tance ratings. Thus, in order to satisfy a required fire-
resistance rating based on Type I or II construction,
reinforced concrete thickness/size and cover to the re-
inforcement must be specified that are at least equal to
the values in the appropriate tables in Section 722.
Requirements for minimum thickness of reinforced
concrete floor and roof slabs and for minimum con-
crete cover over reinforcement in slabs are given in IBC
Sections 722.2.2 and 722.2.3.1, respectively. Generally,
reinforced concrete slab systems that are proportioned
in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 8 of ACI
318 and that have minimum cover to the reinforcement
Figure 3 – Void formers omitted at column locations (photo cour-
tesy of Cobiax Technologies AG).
as specified in Section 20.6 easily satisfy minimum fire
resistance requirements.
The minimum slab thicknesses provided in IBC Table
722.2.2.1 are for slabs with a uniform thickness, such as
a typical one-way or two-way slab system. A method to
determine the thickness of slabs with ribbed or undulat-
ing soffits to be used for fire-resistance ratings is given
in IBC Section 722.2.2.1.3. This method is applicable for
systems with the cross-sectional profiles illustrated in
IBC Figure 722.2.2.1.3 (see Figure 4).
The slab thickness for this type of construction to be
used in determining the fire resistance ratings in accor-
dance with IBC Table 722.2.2.1 is determined as follows:
For s ≥ 4t, thickness = t
For s ≤ 2t, thickness = te
For 4t > s > 2t, thickness = t + (4t/s-1)(te-t)
where
s = spacing of ribs or undulations
t = minimum thickness
te = equivalent thickness of the slab calculated as the
net area of the slab divided by the width, in which
the maximum thickness used in the calculation
shall not exceed 2t.
In the case of hollow core prestressed slabs where
the cores are of constant cross-section throughout the
CRSI Technical Note 3
 t d

(a) s s s

Calculation Per 1 Square Grid of Void Formers

Center To Center Measures:

(b) Floor Area = s2

Figure 4 – Equivalent thickness for (a) ribbed construction and Solid Slab Volume = t × s2
(b) undulating construction.
3
4 d d3
Void Former Volume = =
3 2 6
length, the equivalent thickness shall be permitted to
be obtained by dividing the net cross-sectional area of
d3
the slab including grout in the joints, by its width (see ts 2
6 =t d3
IBC Section 722.2.2.1.1). Equivalent Thickness = 2
s 6s 2
In a similar fashion, an equivalent thickness for a
voided slab system can be determined by dividing the
net volume of concrete by the respective floor area. Samples:
Figure 5 shows examples of such calculations for both VOID FORMER ID
BubbleDeck® and Cobiax® systems with spherical void VOID FORMER
formers. The overall slab thicknesses t in the figure are DIMENSIONS BUBBLEDECK COBIAX
the minimum available for both systems. Equivalent (in.) BD 230 CBM-E-225
thicknesses obtained by this method are greater than 5 t 9.00 13.5
in., which is the minimum slab thickness that provides a
d 7.08 8.875
2-hour fire-resistance rating for concrete mixes with si-
liceous aggregate (see IBC Table 722.2.2.1). Equivalent s 7.87 9.875
thicknesses for voided slab systems with overall slab
Equivalent Thickness 5.97 9.75
thicknesses greater than the minimum thicknesses
considered here are greater than the corresponding
values in the figure. It is shown below that concrete Figure 5 – Sample calculations for equivalent thickness of voided
cover to the reinforcing bars on the the fire side is the slabs.
controlling parameter in the determination of the fire
resistance for voided slab systems. The calculations
presented here support those findings.
Fire-Resistance Tests on Flat Plate Voided
The minimum thickness of concrete cover to the posi- Concrete Slab Systems
tive flexural reinforcement of reinforced concrete slabs
with flat undersurfaces is given in IBC Table 722.2.3(1). Numerous fire tests have been performed on
This table is applicable for (1) solid or hollow core one- BubbleDeck® systems and Cobiax® systems in accor-
way slabs or two-way slabs and (2) slabs that are either dance with the provisions in DIN 4102-02 (DIN 1977).
cast-in-place or precast. It is evident from the table that The time-temperature curve used to test specimens in
a typical concrete cover of ¾ in. provides a fire resis- the DIN requirements is the same as that prescribed
tance of 4 hours for restrained assemblies regardless in ISO 834 (ISO 1999). A comparison of the ISO 834
of the unit weight of the concrete or the type of aggre- and ASTM E119 time-temperature curves is given in
gate used in the concrete mixture. Figure 6. It is evident from this figure that there are
some differences in the curves. However, it has been
determined that the differences in severity between
the two tests are negligible (Harmathy 1987). Criteria
to determine the fire-resistance rating are also basically

4 Fire Resistance of Flat Plate Voided Concrete Slab Systems [ETN-B-2-16]

Figure 6 – Comparison of ISO 834 and ASTM E119 time-temperature curves.

the same. Therefore, it follows that the results obtained Summary

from specimens tested in accordance with the DIN re-
quirements would essentially be the same as those that It is evident from the findings of fire tests that con-
would be obtained if the specimens were tested in ac- crete cover to the reinforcing bars on the side of the
cordance with ASTM E119 requirements. fire is the controlling parameter in the determination of
the fire resistance for flat plate voided concrete slab sys-
The fire tests have revealed that the concrete cover tems. A ¾ in. cover to the bottom reinforcing bars will
to the reinforcing bars on the fire side is the controlling provide a minimum 2-hour fire-resistance rating, which
parameter in the determination of the fire resistance in meets minimum required fire-resistance ratings for floor
all of the tests. It was found that the voids act as a ther- assemblies in common occupancies.
mal isolator: the heat from the fire is dammed below
the void. This leads to slightly higher temperatures in the
reinforcing bars positioned below the voids. A cover of
¾ in. to the main flexural reinforcing bars resulted in a
fire resistance rating of at least 2 hours. The fire ratings
obtained from the Cobiax® tests have been verified by
finite element analyses.

The void formers were found to be intact after the

fire tests. The internal temperature remained below the
melting temperature of the HDPE, which is approximate-
ly between 200 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

CRSI Technical Note 5

References
ACI (American Concrete Institute). 2014. “Building Code Require-
ments for Structural Concrete and Commentary.” ACI 318-14,
Farmington Hills, Michigan.
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). 2016a. “Stan-
dard Test Method for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Ma-
terials.” ASTM E119 – 16, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). 2016b.
“Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical
Tube Furnace at 750°C.” ASTM E136 – 16, West Conshohocken,
Pennsylvania.
CRSI (Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute). 2014. Design Guide
for Voided Concrete Slabs, Schaumburg, Illinois.
DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung). 1977. “Fire Behavior of
Building Materials and Building Components; Building Compo-
nents; Definitions, Requirements and Tests.” DIN 4102-2, German
Institute for Standardization, Berlin, Germany.
Harmathy, T.Z., Sultan, M.A., and MacLaurin, J.W. 1987. “Com-
parison of Severity of Exposure in ASTM E119 and ISO 834 Fire
resistance Test,” Journal of Testing and Evaluation, ASTM, 15(6),
371-375, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
ICC (International Code Council). 2015. International Building
Code, ICC, Washington, D.C.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization). 1999
(Amended 2012). “Fire-resistance Tests - Elements of Building
Construction - Part 1: General Requirements.” ISO 834-1, Geneva,
Switzerland.
UL (Underwriters Laboratories). 2015. “Standard for Fire Tests of
Building Construction and Materials.” UL 263, Northbrook, Illinois.

Contributors: The primary contributors to this publication are: David A. Fanella, PE, SE, FACI,
FASCE and Mike Mota, PhD, PE, FACI, FASCE

Keywords: empirical design, fire rating, fire resistance, fire test, non-combustible, rational design,
restrained, structural integrity, unrestrained.

Reference: Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute – CRSI [2016], “Fire Resistance of Flat Plate Voided 933 North Plum Grove Rd.
Concrete Slab Systems,” CRSI Technical Note ETN-M-9-16, Schaumburg, Illinois, 4 pp.
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4758
Historical: None p. 847-517-1200 • f. 847-517-1206
www.crsi.org
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