FRACOF: Observation of real fires and Cardington Fire test

Large-scale fire tests conducted in a number of countries and observations of actual building fires have shown that the fire performance of composite steel-framed buildings is much better than is indicated by fire resistance tests on isolated elements. It is clear that there are large reserves of fire resistance in modern steel-framed buildings and that standard fire resistance tests on single unrestrained members do not provide a satisfactory indicator of the performance of such structures.

Dr. Renata Obiala, ArcelorMittal

FRACOF: New Experimental Evidence and Fire test

The simple design method was developed mainly on the basis of full-scale natural fire. The design concept could also be applied in principle to fire design using the standard temperature-time curve. However, several questions require further investigation, such as the influence of long duration fires (up to 120 minutes) and different construction details. These considerations resulted in a furnace fire test being undertaken as part of the FRACOF project. The former was intended to provide experimental evidence about the behaviour of composite steel and concrete floors exposed to the standard temperature-time curve.

Dr. Olivier Vassart, ArcelorMittal

FRACOF: Simple design method

Prof. Colin Bailey (Building Research Establishment) developed a simple design method for composite steel concrete floor slabs following the experimental work at Cardington. Bailey’s method has been validated against the Cardington large-scale fire test results, previous experimental work conducted at room temperature and a new experimental campaign performed in furnaces with ISO fire. The simple design method differs from the simple design procedures provided in design codes, as it considers the behaviour of an assembly of structural members acting together, rather than individual elements.

Prof. Colin Bailey, University of Manchester

FRACOF : Design example and Fracof software

This presentation contains a worked example based on a realistic composite floor plate. The building considered is a 4-storey steel-framed office building. The building requires 60 minutes fire resistance. This example will show that a partially protected steel structure can fulfill the R60 requirement using the prescriptive ISO fire curve.

Riccardo Zanon, Ir. ArcelorMittal

Fire regulations in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg: current status

In the present regulations, the requirements are laid down in a prescriptive way and are expressed according to the ISO 834 nominal fire curve. Some of the ITM technical instructions currently being drawn up will soon allow, as an acceptable alternative, the use of a performance approach based on fire-safety engineering methods. The presentation will set forth these technical instructions, together with the conditions and procedures to be followed in order to apply them. In this context, the key points of the new national Luxembourg appendices to the Eurocodes will also be considered.

Robert Huberty, Assistant Director, Inspection of Work and Mines

Fire-safety of façades – Requirements and solutions

The façade is an important element of a building from the fire-safety point of view, because it can affect the spread of fires between storeys and between buildings. For this reason façades must show adequate performance regarding structural integrity and fire resistance. The presentation will outline the fire-safety requirements applicable to façades, together with the design solutions for making compliance possible.

Prof. Christoph Odenbreit and Dr. Oliver Hechler
ArcelorMittal Chair of Façade Engineering, University of Luxembourg

Passive protection of steel structures

In certain cases assessment by calculating fire resistance shows that thermal protection must be applied to steel structural elements. The variety of fire-protection solutions makes it possible to choose the most suitable systems, according to a series of criteria (rapidity of execution, visual aspect, ease of implementation etc.).The presentation will attempt to give an overall view of the fire-protection solutions available on the market with their inherent advantages, limitations and constraints.

Liesbeth Jacobs, PROMAT

Case Study: Swimming pool ‘Syrdall Schwemm’ in Niederanven (LU)

The municipal association C.N.I. Syrdall Schwemm has just opened a new swimming pool in Niederanven with a structure made of steel. The building includes, besides the swimming pool, a wellness center and an office area. The engineering company Schroeder & Associates has used the ‘natural fire-safety concept’ to assess the fire resistance of structural elements. This approach allowed to determine which parts of the structure require a fire protection. The presentation will outline the methodology used, the dialogue between the designers and public authorities, and technical solutions retained.

Robert Jeworowski, Associate Schroeder & Associés