What term describes steel beams that are covered with spray-on fireproofing or encased in a UL-designed system to provide fire protection?

What term describes steel beams that are covered with spray-on fireproofing or encased in a UL-designed system to provide fire protection?

• A. Nonload-Bearing-Wall
• B. Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
• C. Protected Steel
• D. Fire Load

Answer: (C)

Protected steel refers to structural steel members that are safeguarded from heat in a fire by applying fireproofing materials, such as spray-applied fire-resistive materials or encasing the member in a UL-listed protective system. This protection keeps the steel from losing strength quickly, helping the structure maintain its fire-resistance rating long enough for occupants to evacuate and for firefighters to respond. The protection is specified to meet the building’s required fire-resistance rating, and is part of why steel beams can be relied on during a fire. Nonload-Bearing-Wall is not about protecting steel members; it describes a wall that doesn’t carry structural loads. OSB is a wood-based sheathing material, not fireproofing for steel. Fire Load refers to the amount of combustible energy in a space, not to protective coverings on steel.

Protected steel refers to structural steel members that are safeguarded from heat in a fire by applying fireproofing materials, such as spray-applied fire-resistive materials or encasing the member in a UL-listed protective system. This protection keeps the steel from losing strength quickly, helping the structure maintain its fire-resistance rating long enough for occupants to evacuate and for firefighters to respond. The protection is specified to meet the building’s required fire-resistance rating, and is part of why steel beams can be relied on during a fire.

Nonload-Bearing-Wall is not about protecting steel members; it describes a wall that doesn’t carry structural loads. OSB is a wood-based sheathing material, not fireproofing for steel. Fire Load refers to the amount of combustible energy in a space, not to protective coverings on steel.