Frequently Asked Questions

A Fire Trol Column is a prefabricated, fire rated structural steel column designed to provide passive fire protection while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing finish.  Unlike field applied fireproofing systems, Fire Trol Columns are manufactured in a controlled facility and arrive on-site ready for installation.

Intumescent coatings are field applied that expand when exposed to high temperatures, insulating the steel during a fire.  They preserve the original shape of the structural member, but require careful surface preparation, controlled environmental conditions during application, inspections and ongoing maintenance.   Fire Trol Columns are factory-manufactured fire rated assemblies that arrive at the jobsite with the fire protection already incorporated.  Because the fire protection is completed in a controlled environment, these columns can help improve quality consistency, reduce field labor and minimize weather related installation delays.

Exposed structural steel can be fire-rated using several passive fire protection systems approved by building codes and tested assemblies including: Fire Trol Columns, Intumescent coatings, spray applied fire proofing, dry wall and concrete encasements.

There is no single solution that is the most cost effective for every project.  You should consider the following while you evaluate your options: the desired appearance of your fire rated steel, the projects schedule, labor availability & maintenance expectations.

Yes.  Fire Trol Columns are designed to provide a finished architectural appearance suitable for projects where exposed structural steel is a key design feature.

Both systems provide passive fire protection, but they differ significantly in appearance, construction and installation.  Concrete encasements are poured onsite, increase the overall size of the column considerably, add weight and don’t tend to be aesthetically pleasing.  Fire Trol columns are fabricated off site, are slim in appearance, reduce field applied fireproofing and simplify coordination during construction.

Architects typically specify Fire Trol Columns by identifying the required fire resistance rating, structural requirements (along with the structural engineer), finish, dimensions and applicable performance criteria within the project specifications and drawings. 

Prefabricated systems arrive at the jobsite with the fire protection already incorporated into the assembly.  This can help reduce field applied fireproofing, improve quality control through factory manufacturing, minimize weather related installation delays, decrease waste and simplify coordination between trades.   Field applied systems, including spray applied coatings and intumescent coatings are installed after the steel is erected and may require additional inspections, environmental controls and extra coordination during construction.

The earlier the better.  Early coordination allows the architect, structural engineer and steel fabricator to integrate the required fire rating, structural design, connection details and architectural finish into a single coordinated solution.  This approach can reduce redesigns, minimize field modifications and improve constructability during installation.  Engaging the Fire Trol team during schematic design or design development can help identify the most efficient solution before construction documents are finalized.

Typical applications include: airports, healthcare facilities, K-12 & Higher Education facilities, government buildings, courthouses, museums, prisons, corporate offices, mixed use facilities, convention centers ~ any place where your structural steel is architecturally exposed and requires a fire rating.

Yes.  Manufacturers such as Fire Trol produce UL-certified assemblies that meet required fire-resistance ratings.

Yes.  The finished steel shell is intended to provide an architectural appearance suitable for exposed conditions.

Yes.  Because the fire protection is incorporated into the assembly, significantly less field-applied fireproofing is required.

Yes – only the connection and the structural column at the connection site will receive field applied fireproofing.   The structural steel fabricator will apply this when they fire rate their decking, joists, etc.

Fire Trol offers Wide Flange, HSS and Pipe sections.

No, changing the required rating after fabrication will require a new column.  Early coordination is very important.

The building code and project design team determine the required fire-resistance rating based on occupancy, construction type and location of the building.

Yes. In many cases, the same WF, HSS or Pipe structural steel shape can be incorporated into different UL-certified fire-rated assemblies.  The required fire rating is achieved by the tested assembly design, not simply by the steel shape itself.

Selecting the correct fire-resistance rating during schematic design helps avoid redesigns, specification changes and coordination issues later in the project.  Early coordination also improves constructability and helps keep projects on schedule.

Not necessarily.  The required fire rating is based on the tested UL assembly rather than the size of the structural steel alone.  Prefabricated fire-rated columns are engineered to provide the required fire resistance while maintaining a clean architectural appearance.