Description of BS EN 13381-8:2013 2013

This European Standard specifies a test method for determining the contribution made by applied reactive fire protection systems to the fire resistance of structural steel members, which can be used as beams or columns. It considers only sections without openings in the web. It is not directly applicable to structural tension members without further evaluation. Results from analysis of I or H - sections are directly applicable to angles, channels and T-sections for the same section factor, whether used as individual elements or as bracing. This standard does not apply to solid bar or rod.

It covers fire protection systems that involve only reactive materials and not to passive fire protection materials as defined in this document.

The evaluation is designed to cover a range of thicknesses of the applied fire protection material, a range of steel sections, characterised by their section factors, a range of design temperatures and a range of valid fire protection classification periods.

This European Standard contains the fire test procedures, which specifies the tests which should be carried out to determine the ability of the fire protection system to remain coherent and attached to the steelwork, and to provide data on the thermal characteristics of the fire protection system, when exposed to the standard temperature/time curve specified in EN 1363-1.

In special circumstances, where specified in National Building Regulations, there can be a need to subject reactive protection material to a smouldering curve; the test for this and the special circumstances for its use are described in Annex A.

The fire test methodology makes provision for the collection and presentation of data, which can be used as direct input to the calculation of fire resistance of steel structural members in accordance with the procedures given in EN 1993-1-2 and EN 1994-1-2.

This European Standard also contains the assessment, which prescribes how the analysis of the test data shall be made and gives guidance on the procedures by which interpolation should be undertaken.

The assessment procedure is used to establish:

1. on the basis of temperature data derived from testing loaded and unloaded sections, a correction factor and any practical constraints on the use of the fire protection system under fire test conditions, (the physical performance);

2. on the basis of the temperature data derived from testing short steel sections, the thermal properties of the fire protection system, (the thermal performance).

The limits of applicability of the results of the assessment arising from the fire test are defined, together with permitted direct application of the results, to different steel sections and grades and to the fire protection system.

The results of the test and assessment obtained according to this standard are directly applicable to steel sections of I and H cross sectional shape and hollow sections.

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