Performance Requirements for Fireproofing Materials

Methods of providing fire protection for structural steel usually involve the application of non-combustible heat-insulating materials such as gypsum, concrete, asbestos, brick, or tile. The material may be applied directly to the steel or it may be applied as a membrane spaced from the steel by means of some type of furring or suspension system. The degree of fire resistance achieved depends on the thermal and physical properties of the material as well as on the method of application and extent of coverage. Because neither thermal nor physical properties of many fireproofing materials are well known, especially at high temperatures when material performance is most important, there is need for improved test methods and standards to ensure reliable fire protection for structural members of buildings.