Steel Structure Fire Protection

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

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Steel Structure Fire Protection

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 the building collapsing.

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.

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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 can start to soften at around 425°C, and lose half of its strength as it reaches 650°C².

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 workers and residents.

Relevant resources

5 considerations for a more resilient home

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Safeguarding steel buildings with effective insulation and other products is designed to save lives, rather than reduce energy consumption and associated costs. 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, its steel beams and frame.

To ensure the most effective and safe protection, our detailed fire resistance and application reports outline the best options for different builds. Contact your local office for further details. For more details on technical specifications, visit our ROCKSPEC Specification Toolkit.

Learn about energy efficiency

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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 are especially effective. Slowing the spread of fire can offer increased fire safety of up to 180 minutes – 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 toxic smoke when exposed to fire, which is a dangerous risk to occupants³.

Our fire stopping solutions 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 include⁴:

Fire resilience
Adaptable to frame design
Easy to install

Find ROCKWOOL products

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 Belgium⁵ 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

Applications

Insulation

Fire Stopping | ROCKWOOL Asia

ROCKWOOL fire stopping products act to slow and prevent the spread of a fire in a building. Find out how our range achieves this vital goal.

Insulation

Passive Fire Protection | ROCKWOOL Asia

Fire protection solutions can help secure occupant safety and raise buildings’ fire resilience.

Insulation

Fire Penetration Test

Fire penetration products can prevent flames and smoke spreading through gaps and unsecured elements in your building.

Installation

All of our structural steel fire protection solutions are easy to apply, and come with a clear instruction manual to assist professional installers.

Installation tips⁶:

Check your measurements – To ensure you have the right quantity of insulation, double check frame, beam and building measurements or speak to one of our team.
Use professionals – Expert installers can advise on the best products, and install fire protection to steel beams
Follow the guidelines – For the best performance and safety, use the installation manual for each step.

Inspiration and guides for professionals

Get 16 renovation cases

This case study bundle includes:

29 pages of our best 2018-19 projects
Acoustic renovation in both public buildings and private
Bringing new life into old buildings with facade panels
Improving fire safety and wellbeing in high-rises and historical buildings
Reducing noise and flooding with innovative stone wool solutions

Sustainability and energy efficiency

The building industry produces a third of all waste, but ROCKWOOL insulation products offer a sustainable solution. They can be removed from a building when it is renovated or demolished, and recycled into new stone wool insulation products indefinitely⁷.

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This circularity removes the amount of waste heading to landfill, while the natural fire resilient properties remain intact, ensuring continued high-performance levels.

In addition, stone wool’s thermal regulating and acoustic absorption capabilities further enhance indoor standards. Combined with fire protection for structural steel, it can help create a comfortable and safe living or working environment.

8 facts about the circularity of stone wool

Downloads and resources

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Specification Tool for Building Products and Systems

Rockspec Specification Tool

Rockspec enables you to find and select different options of products and systems based on your projects technical specification requirements.

Energy Efficiency

Welcome to the zero-energy house

Built with the right techniques, a home can produce as much energy as it uses.

Indoor Health, Safety & Wellbeing

Non-combustible building facades

Every medium- and high-rise building should only be clad and insulated with non-combustible materials

Sustainability & Circularity

Saving energy forever

The solution to saving energy is here, today. Insulation is an easy, cost-effective way to make buildings sustainable.

Indoor Health, Safety & Wellbeing

Getting fresh air inside

We spend a lot of time inside, so it’s important that the environment within our homes is healthy.

Financial support

There may be financial support available for fire safe constructions and renovations in your country. Contact your local offices for more information.

Find your local ROCKWOOL office