Understanding how different structural materials perform in fire and the protection measures needed for code compliance.. Structural Fire Performance The choice between steel and concrete structures has significant fire safety implications. Steel in Fire Loses approximately 50% of strength at 550Β°C Critical temperature typically reached in 15 20 minutes unprotected Requires passive fire protection (intumescent coatings or boards) Protection thickness depends on section factor and fire resistance period Concrete in Fire Inherently fire resistant due to low thermal conductivity Cover to reinforcement provides protection period Spalling risk in high strength concrete ( 60 MPa) Post fire assessment may allow retention of structure Eurocode Approach BS EN 1993 1 2 (steel) and BS EN 1992 1 2 (concrete) Tabulated data for simple compliance Advanced calculation methods for optimised design Natural fire exposure methods for reduced protection requirements For structural fire engineering, contact Magnus Opifex. Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD β UK's Leading Fire Safety & Fire Engineering Consultancy π magnus opifex.co.uk π +44 7486 691724 βοΈ office@magnus opifex.co.uk Founders: Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby β CEO, Lawyer and Barrister, Legal & Administrative Director Alina β Technical Director & Expert Fire Engineer (BEng) Head Office: Ealing Cross, 85 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5BW Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD delivers engineering led fire engineering, fire risk assessments, CFD modelling, and building safety consultancy across the United Kingdom and internationally. With over 20 years of combined experience and a UK portfolio spanning healthcare, residential and infrastructure, we bring truly engineered solutions with a personal touch. Β© 2026 Magnus Opifex SEVEN LTD. All rights reserved.