Civil Engineering Association

This report summarizes activities, conclusions and recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sponsored study on fire protection of structural steel in highrise buildings. The report includes an overview of existing, new, and potential materials, systems, and technologies for fire protection of structural steel. We provide an overview of the current requirements and a review of the evolution of these performance requirements for building construction, and a discussion of appropriate test methods and procedures to evaluate fire endurance performance of structural steel. These objectives were addressed in a two-day (by invitation) experts workshop, with the development and priority ranking of recommendations to improve upon the status quo. The top three recommendations are to develop: an improved structural design methodology; improved testing procedures for fire resistive materials, technologies, and systems, and; an acceptance of increased responsibility by building operations and maintenance personnel for sustaining the technologies, systems, and materials that constitute the fire protection system.