Today, 26th September 2025, our Steve Napper will be presenting to the I Struct E Structures in Fire Forum on "Calculating capacity of Light Gauge Steel under fire load (and why testing is inadequate)"
Copies of the presentation will be made available next week, but a copy of the worked examples to BS and EC's is available to download here:
The worked examples refer to various papers by leading experts in the field of fire testing including researchers at OFR, and builds upon a decade or so of research by the practice working with Academics and other professionals from across the globe.
It uses existing, 'ambient' temperature section properties and reduces the yield strength and Yong's modulus according to factors based on heat the metal is exposed to stated in the two relevant BS and EC standards, as well as reduced load factors.
We also include design checks at:
Zero Load Factor
Ambient temperature member checks (regular checks used daily by engineers)
This is to allow comparison of load, checks and results.
These loads come from actual live fire load tests - referenced in the worked examples - to enable comparison and confirmation.
The calculations are not something we 'own' or have 'developed', outside of the fact that our sister company Modern Engineered Software Solutions Ltd has used Tedds and the MESS plug in for LGS to automate the calculation's.
Are publicly available, and based on existing standards.
Satisfy part A of the Building Regulations by designing from 1st principles AND to recognised standards
Peer reviewed - see today's forum and others.
Offer UNLIMITED LOAD APPLICATION
Offer limited height options
Are quick, easy and repeatable
Available in minutes
Low cost
Require tested insulation values for the boards protecting
DO NOT REQUIRE TEST DATA FROM MANUFACTURERS - But would be great if board manufacturers volunteered to offer data
The tool can offer 'fire rating' via the tested board insulation under fire load. This HAS to be tested as it's impossible to calculate the 'U value' of boards under fire due to many factors, but in short the amount of heat transfer through the boards depends on the evaporation of water from the boards due to the heat, and in turn is affected by the size of the stud behind and how much heat is 'sucked out'. of the system.
The paper / worked examples and Forum will be discussing in greater technical detail, however this is intended to give a 'high level' overview in Lay Language to non specialists.
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