A new edition of the industry ‘bible’ on fire protection for structural steel in buildings has been published by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP). The fourth edition of the Yellow Book contains fresh data on fire protection systems to allow better comparison and predictability of performance in a fire. It is included as a reference document in Approved Document B
Section one of the publication deals with fire protection, including protection methods and fire testing, the section factor concept, including A/V values, and the implications of BS 5950, Part 1. Section two contains a brief introduction to fire safety engineering, with specific reference and recommendations for the protection of composite beams. Section three provides details of fire resistance tests and assessment procedures using UK methods, while section four gives details of assessment methodology based upon the new European procedures. Section five carries material data sheets and provides application advice on the use of the individual data sheets for passive materials, such as spray coatings, boards, lined steel sheet casings and intumescent coatings. The final section contains material data sheets from which a specifier can obtain authoritative information on required thicknesses and the ranges of applications.
The new edition includes restructured and expanded content to deal with the new ‘Advance’ steel sizes of structural steel sections recently introduced by Corus. In addition, BS 5950 Part 8 has modified some of the traditional critical temperatures for steel in different building uses. Product tables have therefore been modified to include ‘limiting’ temperatures for ease of comparison.
The use of cellular beams with precut holes for services to pass through is becoming more popular. In the absence of any formal BSI or EN test protocol for the fire protection of cellular beams, a new section has been introduced as a basis for best practice when using reactive coatings for fire protection of cellular beams. The new protocol in the Yellow Book points out that the performance in fire will depend on the individual reactive paint system applied.
For copies of the new document, or more information, contact the ASFP on
01252 357832, email: [email protected] or visit www.asfp.org.uk
