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Structural Fire Protection

A key area of expertise for FireBig is structural fire protection.

Fire protection refers to the safeguarding of a building's steel, concrete, wood, or other structures from fire. The load-bearing structures of a building must withstand the minimum time required during a fire event.

The fire resistance requirements for structures are influenced by the building’s fire classification and fire load. The fire resistance requirement is expressed in minutes, ranging from 15 to 240 minutes. The required fire resistance times for structures are specified in building regulations. These requirements depend on factors such as the building’s height, type, and the number of occupants. The required fire resistance times ensure that the building’s load-bearing capacity is maintained long enough to allow the evacuation of people in the event of a fire.

Concrete, known for its excellent fire-resistant properties, must withstand collapse even when rising temperatures weaken the strength and elasticity of both the concrete and the reinforcing steel. Despite its popularity, steel has a limited resistance in a fire situation. For this reason, fireproofing of load-bearing steel structures is essential.

The Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association has approved various fireproofing materials under common standards. Fire protection can be implemented using different methods, such as fire-resistant coatings or fireproof cladding. FireBig collaborates with the contractor to implement a cost-effective solution while considering the architectural values of the project. We also provide fire protection for electrical grids in emergency exit routes.