How to Fireproof a Steel Building
Fireproofing a steel building means making it resistant to fire. It doesn't mean the structure will not ever burn, but instead that it can withstand specific testing in terms of fire exposure at a certain intensity for a specific amount of time. While designing a fire-safe steel building won't absolutely ensure occupants' safety, it will certainly help in the event of an incident, hopefully leaving enough time for help to get to the scene before anyone gets seriously hurt.
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Instructions
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Draw up a building plan, noting which parts of the construction will be fireproofed and where potential fire hazards could be. For example, if there is a part of the building with excessive wires or if the building has a kitchen, these areas are more prone to fires.
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Apply a few coats of intumescent paint to steel supports, waiting for each coat to dry before applying the next one. This type of paint is fire retardant and will help to put out a fire.
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Encase and insulate the steel using products that are designed for this purpose. While steel itself can withstand fire to a certain degree, once the fire reaches an extremely high temperature, the steel structure will not be able to support as much weight as normal.
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Utilize materials inside the building that have performed well under fire testing. For example, there are specific floor and wall boards, doors and windows that have higher fire ratings than others. These items are designed to resist fire exposure, and they will also help to contain a fire.
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Tips & Warnings
Since fireproofing isn't 100 percent reliable, install fire alarms throughout the building.
