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When it comes to building safety, fire protection is critical. There are two main types of systems: active fire protection (AFP) and passive fire protection (PFP). Both are essential, but they work in different ways.

Active Fire Protection (AFP)

Active systems need to take action to fight a fire. They detect, alert, or suppress flames.

Examples:

• Fire alarms & smoke detectors
• Sprinkler systems
• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency lighting
• Smoke control systems

Passive Fire Protection (PFP)

Passive systems are built into the structure of a building. They don’t move or activate, but they contain fire and slow its spread.

Examples:

• Fire-resistant walls, floors & doors
• Firestopping around pipes and cables
• Fireproof coatings
• Building compartmentalization

Why Both Matter

• Active protection detects and fights the fire.
• Passive protection holds it back and buys time.

Together, they create a safer environment, protect escape routes, and give firefighters more time to respond.

Structural steel is strong and durable, but in a fire, it weakens quickly. At around 550°C, steel can lose half of its strength, which may cause buildings to collapse. That’s why fire protection for steel structures is essential.

Common Types of Steel Fire Protection

1. Intumescent Coatings – Paint-like layers that expand into an insulating char when exposed to heat.
2. Board Systems – Fire-resistant boards fixed around steel beams and columns.
3. Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM) – A cement-like spray that slows heat transfer.
4. Concrete Encasement – Steel surrounded by reinforced concrete for fire resistance and strength.
5. Fire-Resistant Casings/Cladding – Prefabricated panels that combine protection with aesthetics.

Why Steel Protection Matters

• Prevents structural collapse in a fire.
• Provides more time for evacuation and firefighting.
• Meets building regulations and safety codes.
• Reduces damage and repair costs.
• Improves insurance compliance.

Key Takeaway

Steel fire protection systems—like intumescent paint, board encasement, and spray coatings—are vital for building safety. They slow down heat damage, save lives, and protect investments.

Cementitious fire protection is a spray-applied coating made from lightweight cement-based materials. It is applied directly onto structural steel, concrete, or other building elements. Once hardened, it creates an insulating layer that slows the rise in temperature during a fire.

This type of fireproofing is especially common in:

• High-rise buildings
• Warehouses
• Stadiums and airports
• Industrial facilities

How It Works

• The coating is sprayed onto steel surfaces.
• In a fire, it absorbs and resists heat, keeping steel below critical failure temperatures.
• This gives building occupants more time to evacuate and firefighters more time to respond.

Benefits of Cementitious Fire Protection

• Proven performance: Widely used and tested across industries.
• Cost-effective: Often cheaper than other steel fire protection methods.
• Versatile: Can be applied to beams, columns, decks, and walls.
• Lightweight: Adds little extra load to the structure.
• Regulation compliant: Meets most fire safety codes and standards.

Things to Consider

• Requires professional application to ensure thickness and coverage are correct.
• Surface preparation is important for good adhesion.
• Not always the most attractive finish — sometimes covered with cladding for aesthetics.

Final Thoughts

Cementitious fire protection is one of the most practical and effective ways to protect steel structures from fire. By slowing heat transfer, it prevents steel from losing strength too quickly, helping safeguard both people and property.

If you’re planning a construction project, talk to a fire protection specialist about whether cementitious coatings are the right choice for your building.

Structural steel is widely used in UK construction due to its strength and versatility. However, steel loses strength quickly in a fire, making fire protection critical. Intumescent paint is one of the most effective solutions, providing a protective layer that expands when exposed to heat and insulates steel from fire. But in the UK, its use is governed by strict regulations and standards.

What Is Intumescent Paint?

Intumescent paint, also called intumescent coating, is a fire-resistant material applied to steel structures. When exposed to high temperatures, it expands into a thick char, delaying structural failure and giving occupants and firefighters more time to respond.

Key UK Regulations and Standards

1. Building Regulations Approved Document B

• The main legal framework for fire safety in UK buildings.
• Requires structural elements, including steel, to achieve specified fire resistance periods (e.g., 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes) depending on the building type and occupancy.
• Intumescent coatings must be applied in a way that ensures compliance with these ratings.

2. BS 476 Series

• British Standard BS 476 specifies fire resistance testing for building materials.
• Intumescent paints are tested under BS 476 Part 20/21 (non-loadbearing elements) and Part 22 (loadbearing steel elements) to confirm fire performance.

3. BS EN 13381-8

• A European standard adopted in the UK for structural steel fire protection.
• Provides test methods for intumescent coatings, ensuring that the applied thickness achieves the required fire resistance.

4. Certifire and Third-Party Certification

• Products should be third-party certified (e.g., Certifire, LPCB).
• Certification ensures the paint has been tested for fire resistance and meets UK building safety standards.

5. Application and Maintenance Regulations

• Must be applied by trained and certified applicators.
• Surface preparation, coating thickness (DFT), and environmental conditions must meet manufacturer and regulatory standards.
• Coatings must be inspected and maintained to ensure continued fire protection.

Why Compliance Matters in the UK

• Life Safety: Provides critical extra time for evacuation in high-rise and commercial buildings.
• Legal Requirements: Non-compliance can lead to fines, insurance issues, and enforcement action by building control.
• Insurance & Liability: Certified fire protection is often required by insurers and for liability protection.
• Building Longevity: Maintains structural integrity and reduces fire-related damage costs.

Final Thoughts

Intumescent paint is an effective fire protection solution for steel buildings in the UK, but it must meet strict regulatory standards. From Approved Document B and BS testing to certified application and ongoing maintenance, compliance is key to ensuring safety, legality, and long-term building performance.

Working with certified suppliers and professional applicators is essential for meeting UK fire protection requirements and safeguarding both people and property.