Structural Steel Fireproofing Ireland

Steel is a non-combustible material. It does not burn. But it loses its mechanical properties, specifically its yield strength and stiffness, very rapidly when its temperature rises in a fire. Most structural steel sections reach their critical temperature, the point at which they can no longer support their design load, within 15 to 30 minutes of exposure to a standard fire. Without protection this leads to structural failure, progressive collapse, and catastrophic consequences for occupants and emergency responders.

Building regulations in Ireland and Northern Ireland require structural steelwork in commercial buildings to achieve a specified fire resistance period, typically 30, 60, or 90 minutes depending on the building type, height, occupancy, and compartment size. The steelwork must maintain its load-bearing capacity for this period under standard fire exposure conditions.

Fireproofing the steel with an approved system is the standard method of achieving this requirement.

Spray-applied fireproofing is the most efficient method for protecting structural steel on large commercial projects and in locations where the steelwork will be concealed above ceilings or within service voids where an aesthetic finish is not required.

Monokote is the spray-applied system we use on Irish projects. As the only licensed Monokote applicator in Ireland, we carry out Monokote spray application across all 32 counties. The product is mixed with water on site and applied directly to the steel surface using specialist equipment. It is fast to apply on large areas, covers complex geometries including connection details and haunched ends effectively, and provides certified fire resistance for a wide range of section sizes and fire resistance periods.

Full details are on our Monokote spray application page.

Intumescent coatings are applied where the structural steel is exposed as part of the building's architectural design and where the finish of the fireproofing is important. They are specified in offices, retail spaces, sports facilities, and all building types where exposed steel is part of the design intent.

Intumescent coatings are applied in one or more coats by brush, roller, or airless spray to achieve the required dry film thickness. When exposed to heat during a fire the coating expands, forming an insulating char layer many times the original thickness that protects the steel from temperature rise. At ambient temperatures and before any fire event, the coating looks similar to a conventional paint finish and can be topcoated with a decorative finish in any specified colour.

Full details are on our intumescent coatings page.

The choice between Monokote spray and intumescent coating depends on several factors.

Exposed or visible steelwork requires an intumescent system because the finish quality of a spray-applied system is not suitable for architectural applications. Concealed steelwork, such as columns and beams above a suspended ceiling, is better suited to Monokote spray because it is faster to apply and more cost-effective on large areas.

Programme is also a consideration. Monokote can be applied and dried quickly and typically allows follow-on trades to work in the area within 24 to 48 hours. Intumescent coatings require more preparation, multiple coats in some specifications, and longer drying times between coats.

Cost varies by project. On large commercial projects with extensive concealed steelwork, spray-applied systems are generally more cost-effective. On projects with significant exposed structural steel requiring a quality finish, intumescent coatings are the appropriate system regardless of cost comparison.

We advise on the most appropriate approach for each project at the quotation stage and can provide indicative pricing for both options where the choice is not yet determined at the time of enquiry.

We carry out structural steel fireproofing on commercial construction projects of all types across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Office buildings in Dublin, Belfast, Cork, and all major Irish cities where steel-frame construction requires fireproofing to the fire resistance period specified by the building regulations.

Schools and educational facilities where building regulations requirements for fire resistance are set by the height and occupancy of the building and where the programme for the fireproofing work must be carefully co-ordinated with other trades.

Apartment buildings and residential developments where elements of structure must achieve fire resistance periods of 60 or 90 minutes depending on the building height.

Retail and mixed-use developments where large roof spans and extensive column grids require efficient, programme-friendly fireproofing solutions.

Industrial and warehouse buildings where fire resistance requirements are set by occupancy and compartment size and where the exposed steelwork environment suits spray-applied systems.

We provide full documentation for every structural steel fireproofing installation including product data sheets, fire resistance calculations confirming the specified system and thickness achieves the required fire resistance period for the member sizes on the project, installation records confirming applied thickness and density where applicable, and a completion certificate for building control.

This documentation is a standard deliverable on every project and is essential for building control sign-off in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.