The Importance of Using a Steel Enquiry Form for Accurate Project Specifications
When undertaking any construction project involving steel, it’s crucial to fill out a detailed steel enquiry form. This form serves as a comprehensive document that gathers all necessary information about the steel, ensuring that the project is designed and executed with precision.
Let’s delve into why each aspect of this form is essential for successful project completion.
Fire Rating Requirements: Ensuring Safety and Compliance
What Fire Rating Do You Need to Achieve?
what are fire ratings
The fire rating indicates how long a steel structure can withstand fire exposure before losing its integrity.
Under heat steel will start to bend and warp before returning to its original shape. This occurs as low as 150C-200°C, and when temperature reaches around 593°C steel loses up to 50% of this elasticity and structural yield potential
how do intumescent paints help prevent this
Intumescent paints work by applying a layer of coating that will expand under heat and to create an insulation bubble to prevent the steel temperature from rising as quickly then if it were not present. It is not perfect however as some heat will still transfer, gradually increasing the temperature until the intumescent coating has been consumed or the steel reaches the point that it can not longer hold the structure it is supporting.
Because of this gradual continuous heat transfer, this means that just because you need X amount of paint for 30mins, you do not need X times 2 for 60mins, you would need slight more then twice as much and even more for 90 and so on.
It is vital we know what rating you need to achieve because:
- Safety: The Higher the fire rating the more time is given for structure to withstand fire long enough for safe evacuation and emergency response. This is dictated by different building fire safety codes, however the final say is determined by the Billing Control/Fire Officer who signs off on the use of the building.
- Compliance: Meeting fire rating requirements is often mandated by building codes and regulations.
- Insurance: Proper fire ratings can influence insurance premiums and coverage so if it is not met to the set standard your insurance may become invalid or premiums may increase significantly.
You should check with building control or fire officer for guidance on what fire rating your building requires.
Steel Size, Orientation, and Exposed Sides: Critical Design Parameters
Why Do We Need to Know This?
Every steel size is different in its load capacity and point if elasticity. This is because of the way the steel is designed to withstand the pressure of the load it is made to support varies from steel to steel.
When looking at steel sizes and dimensions there will usually follow the below pattern
###x###x## ***. For example lets use the steel size 152x152x23kg UC
The 152 x 152 are the dimensions in mm for the width and height of the steel (not the length). These (along with the length) will help us determine the total surface area that needs coating
The “23kg” is the weight of the steel per every 1m. So in this example if you has 2m of 152x152x23 it would weigh 46kg. Knowing the weight tells us how much physical steel there is making up the steel wall, and thus how much steel would have to deform for the steel to fail.
This helps us determine the thickness of the paint needed in accordance to testing for that sized steel and then we multiple this by the total surface area to give us the minimum paint requirement for that steel
The “UC” stands for the category of steel type. In this case UC stands for “Universal column”. other frequently seen categories are:
- UB= Universal beam
- CHS= Circular Hollow Section
- SHS= Square Hollow Section
- RHS= Rectangular Hollow Section
- PFC= Channel
- RSA= Angle
- Load Bearing Capacity: The size and orientation of the steel affect its ability to support loads.
- Structural Integrity: Understanding exposed sides helps in calculating the steel’s resistance to environmental factors and potential stress points.
- Design Accuracy: Accurate specifications ensure we calculate the correct amount of intumescent steel paint required, so it can accurately cover the whole surface of the steel.
Steel Location: Context Matters
Why Does the Steel Location Matter?
Intumescent Paint for Steel can be affected by environmental factors. The most common situation is when water pools on the surface of the Intumescent. When water pools on painted steel it will slowly seep through water based paint and cause the paint to blister or steel to rust if it doesn’t evaporate quick enough. This can result in blistering, peeling, rust and cracks. All of these outcomes nullify the protection rating of the steel
Needing to know the location of the steel is important as steels located in a warm dry/temperature regulated environment will normally only require a water based paint. However steels located in a bathroom will be exposed to a higher humidity and have a far higher chance of water pooling on the steel so a solvent based intumescent will be needed as well as a topcoat to ensure this wont happen
- Environmental Exposure: Steel in different locations (internal, external, underground) faces varying environmental conditions affecting the paint and its durability, maintenance needs.
- Structural Function: Location determines the type and amount of load the steel will bear, influencing the spec we could supply.
- Accessibility: Location may impact application and future maintenance of the steel.
Building Usage: Tailoring the Design
Why Does the Use of the Building Matter?
- Load Requirements: Different building uses (residential, commercial, industrial) have distinct load and usage patterns as well as different environmental factors.
- Safety Standards: building Usage can dictate specific safety and compliance requirements, such as fire safety, load-bearing capacities, and environmental considerations.
The Importance of the Corus Guide
Why Is the Corus Guide Important?
The Corus Guide, now part of Tata Steel, provides essential guidelines for selecting, designing, and using steel intumescent. As mentioned above, providing the wrong environmental category results in supplying the wrong intumescent, leading the paint to fail sometime after application.
- Best Practices: It ensures adherence to industry standards and best practices.
- Material Selection: Provides insights into the best steel grades and profiles for various applications.
- Design Efficiency: Helps in optimizing designs for cost-effectiveness and performance.
- Longevity: Correct application of suitable products will reduce likelihood of product failure and need for reapplication.
Steel Design Codes: Foundations of Structural Integrity
What Are Steel Design Codes, and Why Do They Matter?
When testing intumescent paint, engineers use steel design codes. In Basic terms different design codes means different requirements and ways of testing. Resulting in a potential different Quantity of paint for the same steel. There are 2 main ones are the BS5950 default and the Eurocode 3-4 (EN1993) default, however there are subcategories of each.
- Standardization: Design codes ensure uniformity and consistency across projects.
- Safety: They set minimum safety standards, reducing the risk of structural failures.
- Regulatory Compliance: Following design codes is often a legal requirement, ensuring that structures meet both local and international regulations.
You should check your building design codes with building control or your architect if unsure.
Existing Coatings on Steel: Essential for Planning
Why Does It Matter What Coatings Are Already on the Steel?
Intumescent paint is notorious for not being then best at adhering to some surfaces for the lifetime of a building. This is combated by applying a layer of primer first for the intumescent to bind to.
Primers for steel must be applied to bare, non-rusted surfaces to ensure optimal adhesion for the intumescent coating. If the steel is already coated with existing paint or intumescent, these layers must be sanded back, and the surface must be re-prepared for fresh primer and intumescent application.
Most steels if purchased new will come with a pre-existing coating of primer on the steel to prevent rusting. This usually comes in a red or grey colour. These are typically compatible with Intumescent and do not require stripping however if you happen to know the existing coating it is always good to check
- Compatibility: Ensures new coatings or treatments will adhere properly and perform as expected.
- Corrosion Protection: Existing coatings influence the steel’s resistance to environmental factors, impacting its longevity.
- Maintenance Planning: Understanding current coatings helps in planning future maintenance and re-coating.
Desired Finish: Achieving Aesthetic and Functional Goals
Why Should We Know What Finish You Are After?
- Aesthetics: Different finishes affect the visual appeal of the steel structure, crucial for architectural projects.
- Durability: Specific finishes provide added protection against corrosion, wear, and environmental damage.
- Cost: The choice of finish impacts the overall project budget, with some finishes being more costly due to their materials or application processes.
Conclusion
Filling out a steel enquiry form with detailed and accurate information is critical for the success of any construction project involving steel. It ensures that the materials and design meet safety standards, regulatory requirements, and project-specific needs.
By addressing each of these key areas—fire rating, steel size and orientation, location, building use, design codes, existing coatings, and desired finishes— our team can create structures that are safe, durable, and visually appealing.
The Corus Guide and standardized design codes actively support these efforts by providing essential guidance and ensuring the industry follows best practices.
If you have any further queries do not hesitate to call us on 01752 690997 to speak to an expert for technical advice
You can watch how Fill out steel enquiry form here:
Or to see how we use your enquiry on our steel calculator watch here: