Why Fire Protection Matters | Structural Steel Safety by NuColour

Worker on an orange scissor lift dry ice blasting rusty steel beams inside a construction site with stacked drywall panels nearby.

Strength

How Steel Behaves in Fire

Structural steel loses approximately half its strength at 500°C. Without protection, failure happens fast. Fire protection buys the time needed for safe evacuation and structural stability.

Comparison of two steel beams in construction, one coated with rust and the other cleaned, with construction equipment and yellow ladder in the background.

protection

How Intumescent Coatings Protect Steel

Intumescent coatings expand when exposed to heat, forming a thick insulating char layer. This char slows the temperature rise of the steel beneath, allowing it to retain load-bearing capacity during the critical period specified by fire regulations.

obligation

Fire Protection is a Legal Requirement

UK Building Regulations demand fire-rated protection for structural steel. The required rating—30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes—depends on building use, height and occupancy. Compliance is not optional. It requires correct specification, proper application and complete documentation.

Interior of a construction site with exposed steel beams, scaffolding, and building materials. Ready for blasting

Construction worker in a high-visibility jacket and helmet holding a ladder inside an unfinished building site with scaffolding, tools, and building materials. Dry ice blasting phase

Execution

Application Quality Determines Fire Performance

The best products fail when applied poorly. Surface preparation, system adherence and precise wet film thickness control are non-negotiable. Shortcuts compromise fire performance and put lives and assets at risk.

Surface preparation ensures adhesion and durability

Accurate WFT delivers verified fire performance

Controlled application prevents system failure

Metrics

What Our Projects Deliver

Every project is measured against fire-rating requirements, WFT accuracy and regulatory compliance. These metrics reflect our methodology in practice.

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100%

First-pass WFT compliance

Measured at application and verified through environmental logging

All

Approved Document B alignment

All projects certified against building safety standards

150+

Projects completed since 2020

Across commercial, industrial and regulated sectors

12+

Accredited managment and applicators

Accredited through CHAS, CITB, NVQ and NEBOSH, with structured apprenticeship development

Expertise

Specialist Contractors Deliver Certainty

Fire protection for steel demands experience, accreditation and rigorous process. Only specialists can ensure compliant specification, methodical application, stringent quality assurance and proper certification. Your project deserves that standard.

Construction site interior with white steel beams after intumescent coating applied, red aerial work platforms, ladders, and building materials stacked on the floor.

eyebrow

"Thank you Myles and team for all your hard work on this one. It wasn't easy working around the schedule but you got it done without causing any further issues. It was a pleasure to work with you."

Chris

Project Manager, Millcroft Services

Interior view of a construction site featuring steel beams and columns painted with white protective coating and temporary support props.

eyebrow

"NuColour worked efficiently around our programme and delivered a on time at late notice. The team were organised, flexible, and professional throughout the works."

Ciprian

Site Manager, Principal Contractor – GEMCO