CHAPTER 4

DESIGN FIRE RESISTANCE OF STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAMING IN

PROPOSED BUILDING
4.1. General

The functional abilities of all conventional structural materials begin to degrade

when subjected to the elevated temperatures of building fires. Therefore, the proper
selection and arrangement of fire protective materials are essential to preserving the
integrity of the structure for fire-fighting operations and building evacuation.
Historically, this protection has been provided through the use of hollow clay tile, brick,
and concrete masonry blocks. Currently, newer methods and materials, such as spray-
applied fire resistive materials (SFRM) and intumescent coatings, are more commonly
used. The focus of this chapter is to highlight the thermal properties and insulating
mechanisms of frequently used fire protection materials.

4.2. Determination of Required Fire Resistance Rating of Proposed Building

(1) According to building code, use and occupancy classifications, propose

building is residential group (R-2). [Appendix Table B.1.]
(2) Proposed building data are area = 7000 ft2, story = 15 no, total height =
159.5 ft and non-combustible materials. So, the proposed building is Type
IA Construction. [According table of allowable building heights and areas.
Appendix Table B.2.]
(3) Required fire resistance rating of Type IA construction (our proposed
building), according to fire-resistance rating requirements for building
elements (hours) [Appendix Table B.3., B.4.].
(1) Primary structural frame = 3 hours
(2) Bearing walls Exterior, Interior = 3 hours
(3) Nonbearing walls and partitions Exterior = 1 hours
(4) Nonbearing walls and partitions Interior = 0 hours
(5) Floor construction and associated secondary members = 2 hours
 64

(6) Roof construction and associated secondary members = 1.5 hours

Design only primary structural frame – columns and beams in this study (3 hours
rating).

4.3. Fire Protection for Steel Columns

The performance criterion for a column exposed to fire is that it remains

functional for a specified duration when subjected to a temperature rise caused by fire.
Since mechanical properties decrease at elevated temperatures, the length of time the
column can continue to function can be extended by retarding the rate of heat transfer
to the steel. The rate of heat transfer to the steel can be reduced by providing a means
for absorbing the thermal energy.

The usual approach for effecting the heat transfer delay is to protect the column
with an insulating material. Using this method, adequate fire endurance for a steel
column is produced by applying the appropriate amount of insulating material. The
thickness of protection that extend the time before a limiting temperature is reached.
It can be determined analytically or by referencing test data.

Table 4.1. Design of Steel Column Sections for Proposed Building

Column Sections

Story Level

C1 C2

Story 1 to 4 W14×176 W14×159

Story 5 to 8 W14×159 W14×132

Story 9 to 12 W14×120 W14×109

Story 13 to 15 W14×99 W14×82

Stair Roof W14×68 -

 65

Table 4.2. Types of Mineral Board for Column Designs [03Tho]

Mineral Board Column Designs

Equation or
Designation Rating Hours Section Types
Explicit
W,
1, 12, Equation and
X307 Tubular,
2, 3, and 4 explicit
Angles, Pipe
1, 12,
X309 W Equation
2, and 3

1, 12,
X310 W Equation
2, and 3

1, 12,
X311 Pipe or Tubular Explicit
2, and 3

X312 3 W Explicit

X313 1, 12, and 2 W Explicit

X314 1, 2, 3, and 4 W Explicit

Calculate required thickness of mineral boards. Use Design No.X307 and Case
D is considered.
(1) Design for W14×176 for 3 hours Rating
1.08R
h
W
1.13( )  0.47
D

where,
h = Board Thickness (in.)
R = Fire Resistance Rating (hours)
W = Column weight (lbs per ft)
D = Inside perimeter of the mineral board (in.)
W/D = 2.85 (Table B.6.)
h = 0.88 in
 66

(2) Design for W14×159 for 3 hours Rating

1.08R
h
W
1.13( )  0.47
D

where,
h = Board Thickness (in.)
R = Fire Resistance Rating (hours)
W = Column weight (lbs per ft)
D = Inside perimeter of the mineral board (in.)
W/D = 2.6 (Table B.6.)
h = 0.95 in
(3) Design for W14×132 for 3 hours Rating
1.08R
h
W
1.13( )  0.47
D

where,
h = Board Thickness (in.)
R = Fire Resistance Rating (hours)
W = Column weight (lbs per ft)
D = Inside perimeter of the mineral board (in.)
W/D = 2.2 (Table B.6.)
h = 1.08 in
(4) Design for W14×120 for 3 hours Rating
1.08R
h
W
1.13( )  0.47
D

where,
h = Board Thickness (in.)
R = Fire Resistance Rating (hours)
W = Column weight (lbs per ft)
D = Inside perimeter of the mineral board (in.)
W/D = 2.0 (Table B.6.)
 67

h = 1.16 in
(5) Design for W14×109 for 3 hours Rating
1.08R
h
W
1.13( )  0.47
D

where,
h = Board Thickness (in.)
R = Fire Resistance Rating (hours)
W = Column weight (lbs per ft)
D = Inside perimeter of the mineral board (in.)
W/D = 1.89 (Table B.6.)
h = 1.24 in
(6) Design for W14×99 for 3 hours Rating
1.08R
h
W
1.13( )  0.47
D

where,
h = Board Thickness (in)
R = Fire Resistance Rating (hours)
W = Column weight (lbs per ft)
D = Inside perimeter of the mineral board (in.)
W/D = 1.72 (Table B.6.)
h = 1.34 in
(7) Design for W14×82 for 3 hours Rating
1.08R
h
W
1.13( )  0.47
D

where,
h = Board Thickness (in.)
R = Fire Resistance Rating (hours)
W = Column weight (lbs per ft)
D = Inside perimeter of the mineral board (in.)
 68

W/D = 1.68 (Table B.6.)

h = 1.37 in
(8) Design for W14×68 for 3 hours Rating
1.08R
h
W
1.13( )  0.47
D

where,
h = Board Thickness (in.)
R = Fire Resistance Rating (hours)
W = Column weight (lbs per ft)
D = Inside perimeter of the mineral board (in.)
W/D = 1.42 (Table B.6.)
h = 1.56 in

Table 4.3. Summary Result for Mineral Board Thickness

Mineral boards
No. Sections
Thickness (in)
1 W14×176 0.88

2 W14×159 0.95
3 W14×132 1.08

4 W14×120 1.16

5 W14×109 1.24

6 W14×99 1.34

7 W14×82 1.37
8 W14×68 1.56

Among them, three types of board thickness are used to control result (½ in ×
2-layer = (1in), ½ in × 3-layer = (1.5 in), ½ in × 4-layer = (2in).

Table 4.4. Estimation of Mineral Board

Ite Length Total Sheet

Section No Width (ft) Unit
m (ft) (Sft) (nos)
 69

W 14×176
1 1st layer
(w) 26 2 12 1.4 842.40 Sft 26.33
(f) 26 2 12 1.3 816.40 Sft 25.51
Table 4.4. Continued-
Length Total Sheet
Item Section No Width (ft) Unit
(ft) (Sft) (nos)
2nd layer
(w) 26 2 12 1.4 894.40 Sft 27.95
(f) 26 2 12 1.391667 868.40 Sft 27.14
W 14×176
1st layer
2 (w) 78 2 10 1.4 2106.00 Sft 65.81
(f) 78 2 10 1.3 2041.00 Sft 63.78
nd
2 layer
(w) 78 2 10 1.4 2236.00 Sft 69.88
(f) 78 2 10 1.4 2171.00 Sft 67.84
W14×159
1st layer
3 (w) 26 2 12 1.3 832.00 Sft 26.00
(f) 26 2 12 1.3 811.20 Sft 25.35
nd
2 layer
(w) 26 2 12 1.4 884.00 Sft 27.63
(f) 26 2 12 1.4 863.20 Sft 26.98
W 14×159
1st layer
4 (w) 274 2 10 1.3 7306.67 Sft 228.33
(f) 274 2 10 1.3 7124.00 Sft 222.63
nd
2 layer
(w) 274 2 10 1.4 7763.33 Sft 242.60
(f) 274 2 10 1.4 7580.67 Sft 236.90
W14×132
1st layer
5 (w) 92 2 10 1.3 2407.33 Sft 75.23
(f) 92 2 10 1.2 2254.00 Sft 70.44
2nd layer
(w) 92 2 10 1.4 2560.67 Sft 80.02
(f) 92 2 10 1.3 2407.33 Sft 75.23
W 14×120
1st layer
6 (w) 104 2 10 1.2 2513.33 Sft 78.54
(f) 104 2 10 1.2 2548.00 Sft 79.63
nd
2 layer
(w) 104 2 10 1.4 2860.00 Sft 89.38
(f) 104 2 10 1.3 2721.33 Sft 85.04
rd
3 Layer
(w) 104 2 10 1.5 3033.33 Sft 94.79
(f) 104 2 10 1.4 2894.67 Sft 90.46
 70

W14×99
7 1st layer
(w) 78 2 10 1.3 1976.00 Sft 61.75
(f) 78 2 10 1.2 1898.00 Sft 59.31
Table 4.4. Continued-
Sheet
Item Section No Length (ft) Width (ft) Total S Unit
(nos)
2nd layer
(w) 78 2 10 1.4 2106.00 Sft 65.81
(f) 78 2 10 1.3 2028.00 Sft 63.38
rd
3 layer
(w) 78 2 10 1.4 2236.00 Sft 69.88
(f) 78 2 10 1.4 2158.00 Sft 67.44
W 14×82
1st layer
8 (w) 69 2 10 1.3 1759.50 Sft 54.98
(f) 69 2 10 0.8 1161.50 Sft 36.30
nd
2 layer
(w) 69 2 10 1.4 1874.50 Sft 58.58
(f) 69 2 10 0.9 1276.50 Sft 39.89
rd
3 layer
(w) 69 2 10 1.4 1989.50 Sft 62.17
(f) 69 2 10 1.0 1391.50 Sft 43.48
W 14×109
1st layer
9 (w) 92 2 10 1.3 2346.00 Sft 73.31
(f) 92 2 10 1.2 2238.67 Sft 69.96
nd
2 layer
(w) 92 2 10 1.4 2499.33 Sft 78.10
(f) 92 2 10 1.3 2392.00 Sft 74.75
rd
3 layer
(w) 92 2 10 1.4 2652.67 Sft 82.90
(f) 92 2 10 1.4 2545.33 Sft 79.54
W 14×68
1st layer
(w) 8 2 7.5 1.3 150.00 Sft 4.69
10 (f) 8 2 7.5 0.8 100.00 Sft 3.13
nd
2 layer
(w) 8 2 7.5 1.3 160.00 Sft 5.00
(f) 8 2 7.5 0.9 110.00 Sft 3.44
rd
3 layer
(w) 8 2 7.5 1.4 170.00 Sft 5.31
(f) 8 2 7.5 1.0 120.00 Sft 3.75
th
4 layer
(w) 8 2 7.5 1.5 180.00 Sft 5.63
(f) 8 2 7.5 1.1 130.00 Sft 4.06
Total 847 8554 108989.67 Sft 3405.9
 71

Total Number of board (with 10% waste) Sft 3747

Total No. of C channel (with 10% waste) 1.1×4×8554 37637.6 Rft 1882
4.3.1. Mineral Board Attachment for fire Resisting Column
(1) Steel Column
(2) Mineral board
(3) Galvanized Steel C-channel
(4) Galvanized Steel Angle
(5) Screw

Figure 4.1. Mineral Board Attachment for Fire Resisting Column [03Tho]

4.4. Fire Protection for Steel Beams

The capacity for a building to remain functional for a specified length of time
during a fire is of utmost importance for life safety and fire department access.
However, all conventional construction materials begin to degrade when exposed to
elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of time.
Therefore, it is often necessary to provide means of fire protection to the
building structural elements in order for them to properly carry load during this
important time period. Building fire protection may be categorized into two main
systems, active and passive. Active protection relies on devices requiring external
 72

activation to alert occupants of a fire and to control building fire conditions. Automatic
sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and fire department suppression are all examples
of active systems.
Alternatively, passive protection provides fire protection by relying on in place
elements, and requires no external activation. Examples of passive protection include
fire-rated ceilings, gypsum board or lath and plaster systems, spray-applied fire resistive
materials (SFRM), and mastic coatings. Designing passive protection systems for steel
roof and floor assemblies that adequately meet building code requirements is the focus.

Table 4.5. Summary Result for SFRM Thickness

D-902 CEMENTITIOUS

1, 1½ & 2 Hours 3 Hour

W8×28
Test Beam W/D Cellular Cellular
Fluted Deck Fluted Deck
Section Deck Deck

NW or LW NW or LW NW or LW NW or LW
Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete

W12×19 0.53 7/16 7/16 5/8 3/4

W12×35 0.79 3/8 3/8 9/16 5/8

W12×40 0.85 3/8 3/8 1/2 9/16

Among them, SFRM thickness uses ⅝ in for 3 hours rating.

d tw d

bf bf
 73

D=3bf + 2d – 2tw D=2d + bf

Figure 4.2. Cross-Section View
SFRM Applied for Fire Resisting Beams [03Tho]

Table 4.6. Estimation of SFRM

Length Perameter Total
SFRM Total US Total
Ite of of Square ft
Member W/D thicknes gallon per require Unit
m Menber Member per
×10-3 in sqft gallon
(ft) (ft) Menber
W12×19
0.53 40 3 120 625 1.795 66.8 gal
1 10 ft
W12×19
0.53 36 3 108 625 1.795 60.2 gal
9 ft
W12×35
0.79 2400 3.67 8808 625 1.795 4906.4 gal
2 20 ft
W12×35
0.79 300 3.67 1101 625 1.795 613.3 gal
10 ft
W12× 40
0.85 6900 3.94 27186 625 1.795 15143 gal
20 ft
W12× 40
0.85 4950 3.94 19503 625 1.795 10864 gal
3 15 ft
W12× 40
0.85 810 3.94 3191.4 625 1.795 1777.7 gal
9 ft
W12× 40
0.85 360 3.94 1418.4 625 1.795 790.1 gal
12 ft
W12× 40
0.85 180 3.94 709.2 625 1.795 395.1 gal
6 ft
W12× 40
0.85 4350 3.94 17139 625 1.795 9547.1 gal
10 ft
Total required gallon 44164.44 gal
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Figure 4.3. 3D View of SFRM Applied for Fire Resisting Beams [03Tho]