Why Structural Steel Needs Fire Protection

Structural steel is non-combustible, but its strength and stiffness reduce as its temperature rises. Fire protection slows this heating and helps the structure perform for the period required by the project design.

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

Steel in Fire

How Structural Steel Behaves in Fire

Steel does not need to burn to be affected by fire. As its temperature increases, its ability to carry load and resist deformation reduces. How quickly this becomes critical depends on the member, loading, exposure and structural fire design.

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

Intumescent Protection

How Intumescent Coatings Slow Steel Heating

Intumescent coatings react when exposed to sufficient heat, expanding to form an insulating char around the steel. This slows the rise in steel temperature. The required coating thickness is selected from the accepted system documentation for the individual steel members and project requirement.

Project Requirements

How Fire-Resistance Requirements Are Determined

Building Regulations set functional fire-safety requirements for applicable building work. The required fire-resistance period and the elements requiring protection should be defined through the accepted fire strategy, structural design and project information. FireCoatings applies the selected system to that defined requirement.

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

Application Control

Correct Application Supports the Designed Performance

A suitable product still depends on compatible substrates, correct preparation, controlled application and inspection against the accepted system requirements.

Surface preparation supports coating adhesion and system durability

WFT readings help control wet coating build during application

Final DFT checks assess the dry coating against the member schedule

Project Controls

How We Control Our Application Scope

Our work is planned against the accepted project information and selected coating system. Application checks and records are then completed for the agreed FireCoatings work scope.

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Defined

Accepted Project Requirements

Fire-resistance periods, member information and system requirements reviewed before application.

Monitored

Application Conditions and WFT

Relevant site conditions and wet coating build recorded during the agreed application scope.

Checked

Dry Film Thickness

DFT assessed after sufficient drying against the accepted member-specific schedule, where included in our scope.

Documented

Project QA and Handover

Records prepared to show the materials, checks and work areas covered by the agreed FireCoatings scope.

Specialist Delivery

Why Specialist Application Matters

Intumescent application requires suitable preparation, product knowledge, controlled coating build and clear records. We work from the accepted project information and selected system requirements, giving the project team a defined and traceable application process.

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

Client Feedback

"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 of a construction site with white-painted steel beams and yellow support poles.

Client Feedback

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

Ciprian

Site Manager, Principal Contractor – GEMCO