Introduction: The demand of structural steel has significantly increased owing to factors, such as the increasing demand from the manufacturing sector, the rising preference toward pre-engineered buildings and components, and government initiatives for infrastructure development activities.

Additionally, the booming commercial building sector, along with government’s initiatives, such as increasing the construction of green buildings, and smart cities, is expected to boost the structural steel fabrication market across the globe.

With growing steel structure infrastructure, it is important to ensure that all the steel structures must comply the building regulation fire norms for sustainable and safe infrastructure.

Why fire resistance to steel structures?

Steel Structure members when exposed to Cellulosic fire (ISO 834), it reaches the critical temperature within seventeen minutes and its load bearing strength decreases drastically. The critical temperature is defined as the temperature at which the load-bearing capacity becomes equal to the effect of the applied loads (so the steel element is very close to collapse). Critical temperature of steel can vary from 350 °C to 750 °C, depending mainly on the loading scheme, but in most of the cases between 500 °C and 620 °C.   So, steel structure members must be protected to increase the intended fire resistance time to reach critical temperature.

FEUKEM provides fire retardant Intumescent coating (water-based, Epoxy based, Acrylic PU based) that reacts to heat by swelling in a controlled manner to many times its original thickness, producing a carbonaceous char formed by a large number of small bubbles that act as an insulating layer to protect the substrate. 

The purpose of FEUKEM fire retardant intumescent is the prevention of the structural collapse of the building, which can occur if load-bearing steel elements reach a critical state.

FEUKEM FRC  is an Intumescent coating (water-based, Epoxy based, Acrylic PU based)  formulated with special binders and fillers to provide 120 minutes of fire resistance to steel structural elements. FEUKEM FRC has an intumescent property that provides an excellent insulation barrier to Cellulosic fire (ISO 834). It is tested and conforms to the requirement of BS 476 Part 6 & 7, BS 476 Part 20-21 to analyze stability, integrity, load-bearing capacity, and insulation performance criteria for 120 minutes under load conditions.

FEUKEM has a dedicated team of structural and passive fire engineers to work on the structural drawings and recommend you the best possible economical fire protection solution for steel structural elements.