Fire Protection for Structural Steel | Board Systems Explained
FGF Technical
Apr 21, 2026 6:20:33 AM
Skip to content
Technical Guidance
Structural steel is widely used in modern construction due to its strength and flexibility. However, in the event of a fire, steel can lose its load-bearing capacity at relatively low temperatures, making fire protection a critical part of building design.
Board-based fire protection systems are commonly used to protect structural steel, helping maintain stability and achieve required fire resistance periods in line with building regulations.
Steel begins to lose strength as temperatures rise, and without protection, it can deform or fail during a fire. This can compromise the structural integrity of a building and affect safe evacuation.
Fire protection systems are designed to:
Board-based systems use fire-resistant boards, typically calcium silicate or similar materials, to encase structural steel elements.
These boards act as a protective barrier, insulating the steel from heat and helping to delay temperature rise during a fire.
They are commonly used to achieve fire resistance periods such as 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes, depending on system design.
Board-based fire protection systems are used across a wide range of building types and structural elements, including:
They are suitable for both new build and refurbishment projects.
A typical board-based steel protection system includes:
Each component must be specified and installed correctly as part of a tested system to achieve the required performance.
Board systems provide a clean installation method compared to some alternative fire protection approaches.
Boards are manufactured to consistent dimensions, supporting predictable performance.
Suitable for environments where impact resistance or long-term durability is required.
Board systems can be coordinated with partitions, ceilings and service enclosures.
To achieve the required fire performance, board systems should be:
Attention to detailing, joints and penetrations is essential.
Board-based fire protection systems are tested to recognised standards, including BS EN 13381 and related fire resistance classifications.
Performance should always be confirmed through:
Fire protection must be considered as part of the overall building fire strategy.
Structural steel can be protected using several methods, including:
Board systems are often selected where durability, clean installation and consistent performance are required.
Board-based fire protection systems provide an effective solution for protecting structural steel in a wide range of construction projects. By insulating steel elements and maintaining load-bearing capacity, they play a key role in building safety and regulatory compliance.
Correct system selection, specification and installation are essential to achieve the required fire performance.
FGF supplies fire protection boards and associated materials for structural steel encasement, supported by technical guidance and nationwide delivery.
Talk to our team to discuss your project requirements.