Steel Structure Fire Protection

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BEAMCLAD System

Many large structures – such as apartment blocks, high-rise offices and hotels – are built using a steel frame. This offers a cost-effective and stable construction option. 

However, steel structure fire protection is an essential aspect to consider when designing or renovating such a project. 

If steel is exposed to temperatures of 500°C and above, the structural integrity and stability is at risk, which could result in loss of strength of the structural steel supporting the building construction and result in collapse in the event of a fire.

An effective fire safety strategy can reduce this risk, including the installation of fire protection to steel beams and columns. 

Learn more about the benefits of ROCKWOOL products today – and how they can safeguard your project. 

Table of contents

  1. Why do we need steel structural fire protection
  2. Calculator and savings
  3. Why choose ROCKWOOL solutions
  4. Case studies
  5. Installation
  6. Downloads and resources
  7. Financial support
  8. FAQ
  9. Other relevant applications
Find inspiration, guides and reports

Steel Structure Fire Protection Products

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Fire Protection Solutions

BeamClad® System insulation for structural steel, concrete and timber constructions

Structural steel and cellular sections of a build require the most robust, durable fire resistant insulation to combat the wide variety of site, mixed trade and climatic conditions. The ROCKWOOL BeamClad® System provides a complete ‘tool-box’ of fire protection options, catering for the diversity of modern steel construction.

Why do we need steel structure fire protection?

As steel frames often form the ‘backbone’ of buildings with a high number of occupants, keeping them safe is a high priority. Structural steel fire protection can help ensure this. 

Exposure to fire can seriously damage the frame and lead to building collapse. While it may not melt until reaching more than 1,300°C1, structural steel will begin to weaken at about 300ºC and increases rapidly after 400ºC.  At 550ºC steel loses approx. 40% of its load bearing strength.

Frequently, building fires can reach temperatures exceeding 800°C. Fire protection for steel beams and columns reduces the risk of the frame weakening and slows down the spread of fire, protecting occupants. 

Relevant resources
Why stone wool?
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FIREPRO Solution Finder
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BEAMCLAD Contractors Fixing Guide
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1.6 MB

Calculator and savings

Safeguarding steel buildings with effective insulation and other products is designed to save lives, as well as limiting thermal bridging and reducing acoustic transfer via vibrations through the structure. This is an invaluable addition to any construction. 

The right amount and thickness of insulation will depend on the size and specifics of the building, the load bearing requirements for the steel beams and frame.

To ensure the most effective and safe protection, our tested fire protection products can assist in specifying the correct solutions to meet your specific requirements. 

Visit our FIREPRO resource hub
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Why choose ROCKWOOL solutions?

All our insulation products are made from robust and durable stone wool. Its fire resilient properties mean it can withstand temperatures above 1000°C. 

ROCKWOOL products will also retain their shape, strength and performance levels when exposed to high temperatures. 

Our fire protection solutions can provide up to 4 hours fire resistance to structural steel  -enough time for occupants to safely evacuate and hopefully bring the fire under control and avoid a building collapse.  

In addition, stone wool does not release any significant toxic smoke when exposed to fire, which is a dangerous risk to occupants2.  

Our range of non-combustible steel frame insulation includes various products suitable for application in structures of different shapes and sizes. 

 

Key benefits of ROCKWOOL steel structure fire protection include3:

  • Fire resilience
  • Adaptable to frame design
  • Easy to install 
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Installing our specifically developed and tested fire resistance solutions will significantly reduce the amount of risk that there is not enough time for occupants to leave the building, and allow the fire brigade to control the fire without the building collapsing.

Rob Kooiker

ROCKWOOL Group Product Manager

Case studies

The challenge

The Port of Antwerp in Belgium4 expanded its head office, with the aim of building a sustainable, safe and future-proofed construction.

The solution

Designed by Zaha Hadid, the quayside project included innovative and sustainable features, such as a borehole system for water cooling and heating. ROCKWOOL stone wool was also used to protect against fire risks by insulating the steel construction.

The results

Installing ROCKWOOL Conlit Steelprotect boards helped meet the highest A1 Fire Class rating, protecting employees and improving fire safety.

Find more case studies
Havenhuis/ Port House - Acoustic Capabilities
The highly detailed cut-to-fall plan designed by ROCKWOOL helped us a great deal.

Gert Biebauw

Engineer Architect and project leader at Bureau Bouwtechniek

Installation

All of our structural steel fire protection solutions offer a choice of fixing methods with installation guidance to assist third party approved contractors.

 

Installation tips5:

  • Check your measurements – To ensure you have the right quantity of insulation, double check frame, beam and building measurements.
  • Use professionals – Expert installers can advise on the best products, and install fire protection to steel beams effectively. 
  • Follow the guidelines – For the best performance and safety, use experienced third party approved contractors and refer to the technical guides. 
Guides for professionals

Downloads and resources

To be updated
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FIREPRO Book

Download
To be updated
PDF
11.2 MB

ROCKWOOL Red Book

Download
To be updated
PDF
1.6 MB

Beamclad Contractors Fixing Guide

Download

Download our FIREPRO Book

FirePro Book.pdf
PDF
10.3 MB
16 Feb 2024

FirePro Book Feb 2024

Passive fire protection is a critical component of any fire safety strategy. In the FirePro® Book you can find products for a range of specialist passive fire protection applications.

FAQs

Is stone wool fire resilient?
What is fire blocking?
When will ROCKWOOL products melt?

Other relevant applications

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Insulation

Structural Protection

ROCKWOOL structural protection products are built to withstand extreme heat, making them an essential addition to fire safety strategy.

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Insulation

Fire Stopping

ROCKWOOL fire stopping products are designed to protect every joint, imperfection and opening that could otherwise potentially allow the passage of fire, smoke and hot gases.

References

[1] https://education.jlab.org/qa/meltingpoint_01.html

[2] https://www.rockwool.com/group/why-stone-wool/fire-resilience/

[3] https://www.rockwool.com/group/why-stone-wool/

[4] https://www.rockwool.com/group/why-stone-wool/case-studies/case-study-the-havenhuis/ 

[5] https://www.rockwool.com/group/our-thinking/renovation/craftsmen-renovation/tips-and-tricks-installation/

[6] https://www.rockwool.com/group/why-stone-wool/circularity/

[7] https://www.rockwool.com/group/why-stone-wool/

ROCKWOOL Group