Fire Resistance of Steel Girders

Steel as structural material has excellent mechanical properties at ambient temperatures, but also one major drawback, which is low fire resistance. However, there are methods for increasing fire resistance of steel structures and members, like gypsumen casing, intumescent coatings, and spray-applied, fire-resistant materials (SFRMs). In addition, mandatory and carefully selected application of the active and passive fire protection measures can significantly contribute to the fire resistance to all buildings. This paper analyzes the fire resistance of main girders of skeleton structural system subjected to the permanent and variable actions, but also contribution of the of the spray-applied, fire-resistant materials to the fire resistance of steel beams based upon the critical temperature method according to Eurocode 3 when subjected to Standard ISO 834-1 fire curve. Qualitative Research method, based on empirical analysis of different beams with different geometrical properties, was used in this paper. This research highlights specific aspects to designers and engineers in selection of structural materials depending on the type of structures to be designed and constructed, as well as building life and its exploitation.