FIRE SAFETY OF EXTERNAL BUILDING ELEMENTS - THE DESIGN APPROACH.

Abstract

The author states that the fire exposure of external structural elements cannot be simulated by the standard fire resistance test, but it can be calculated. The heat transfer to these elements depends on the flame trajectory and temperature, the temperature in the fire compartment, the position of the element, and the cooling of the element to the surroundings. As for internal elements, the structural performance depends on the steel temperature, and a calculation method for estimating the temperature rise is established. The method is based on comprehensive studies with models and on a number of large-scale experimental fire tests in realistic buildings. The calculated steel temperatures are in satisfactory agreement with values measured in the large-scale experimental fire tests.