Fire resistant rating of materials
By
Midhila.D
Fire Resistance
Ability of an element of building construction, component for structure
to fulfill, for a stated period of time, the required stability, fire integrity and/or
thermal insulation and/or other expected duty in a standard fire resistance test
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
General The design of any building and the type of materials
used in its construction are important factors in making the building resistant to a
complete burn-out and in preventing the rapid spread of fire, smoke or fumes, which
may otherwise contribute to the loss of lives and property.
The types of construction according to fire resistance are
classified into four categories, namely, Type I, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4 construction.
The fire resistance ratings for various types of construction
for structural and non-structural members should be as given in Table 1
For buildings above 15 m in height noncombustible materials
should be used for construction and the internal walls of staircases should be of brick
work or reinforced concrete or any other material of construction with min-i mum of
2 hours rating. The walls for the chimney shall be of Type 1 or Type 2 construction
depending upon whether the gas temperature is above 200 “C or less.
The fire resistance of an element of structure or combination of
elements is determined from one of the following three methods.
The fire ratings of some types of constructions for walls are given in Tables 2 to 7. The
specifications of materials should be so selected as to give these ratings.
• TYPE1. FIREPROOFCONSTRUCTION (Fire ResistiveConstruction)
Construction of buildings that resist fire damage and prevent the
spread of fire.
Fireproof building containing only no burning components,
Such as steel, terra-cotta, plaster, and concrete
Fire-resistance requirements can range from 3 to 4 hour.
Buildings may be used as high-rise office buildings, shopping
centers, or residential units.
For buildings 15 m in height or above.
Buildings may be used as high-rise office buildings, shopping
centers, or residential units.
• Fire-resistance requirements have the following ratings as a
range.
Exterior bearing walls: 3 to 4 hours.
Interior bearing walls: 2 to 4hours.
Columns: 2 to 4 hours.
Beams, girders, trusses, and arches: 2 to 4 hours.
Floors: 2 to 3 hours.
Roof: 1-1/2 to 2hours
TYPE2. NONCOMBUSTIBLECONSTRUCTION
Construction using masonry materials, Brick or concrete, on the outside walls of the
structure,
And noncombustible materials for the roof andfloor.
For buildings 15 m in height or above
Fire-resistance requirements can range from 2to 3 hour.
Construction using masonry materials, Brick or concrete, on the outside walls of the
structure, And
noncombustible materials for the roof andfloor.
Buildings may be used as office buildings.
Fire-resistance requirements shall have, as a minimum, the followingratings:
Exterior bearing walls: 0 to 2hours.
Interior bearing walls: 0 to 2hours.
Columns: 0 to 2 hours.
Beams, girders, trusses, arches: 0 to 2 hours.
Floors: 0 to 2 hours.
Roof: 0 to 1 hour.
TYPE3. EXTERIOR PROTECTEDCONSTRUCTION (OrdinaryBuilding)
Construction in which all structural elements of exterior walls are of non-combustible materials
Fire-resistance requirements for all elements can range from 0 to1 hour.
Buildings may be retail stores, mixed occupancy, dwellings, and apartment buildings.
Only the exterior load-bearing walls shall be noncombustible or limited combustible, and shall
have as a minimum a 1-hour rating.
They also may be required to be protected and to have the following fire-resistance
ratings:
Interior bearing walls: 0 to 1hour.
Columns: 0 to 1 hour.
Beams, girders, trusses, arches: 0 to 1 hour.
Floors: 0 to 1hour.
Roof: 0 to 1 hour.
TYPE4. WOODCONSTRUCTION
The construction in which the exterior wall or bearing wall, roof and floor wholly or partially of
wood
Structural members are entirely or partially made from wood orother approved combustible
material.
Fire-resistance requirements for all elements can range from 0 to1 hour.
Exterior and interior bearing walls shall have, as a minimum, the following fire-
resistanceratings:
Exterior bearing walls: 2 hours.
Interior bearing walls: 1 to 2hours
