This Information Paper discusses the performance in fire of light steel-framed (LSF) buildings constructed from cold-formed steel. It highlights areas where designers and manufacturers may need to look beyond a simple reliance on standard fire test data and consider issues of detailing which may be critical to the performance of the building system in a real fire. Sources of design guidance are identified and the literature on LSF structures in fire is summarised. The paper aims to give designers, insurers and regulators a better understanding of the important considerations when LSF systems are used in the construction of buildings.

Contents

Properties of light-gauge steel at elevated temperatures

Fire protection

Detailing of passive fire protection

System behaviour

Summary

References

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TITLE WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ON OR AFTER 24/6/2011.