Is Fire Protection Required for Loft Steel?

[TheScullster]

Hi all

If I have a steel beam installed in a loft space, for suspending ceiling joists from, does this require fire protection. Is the plasterboard ceiling below it protection enough? Location is single storey kitchen extension loft.

TIA

Phil

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Don't think they require fire protection - none of mine have. And the BCO was creeping round plenty when I had the job done.;-)

[River Tramp]

A beam supporting the roof only doesn't need fire protecting (exception some portal frames).

See Approved Document B Section 8 paragraph 8.4 Exclusions from the provisions for

elements of structure

8.4 The following are excluded from the definition

of element of structure for the purposes of these

provisions:

a. structure that only supports a roof, unless:

i. the roof performs the function of a floor,

such as for parking vehicles, or as a

means of escape (see Sections 2 - 6), or

ii. the structure is essential for the stability of

an external wall which needs to have fire

resistance;

b. the lowest floor of the building;

c. a platform floor; and

d. a loading gallery, fly gallery, stage grid, lighting

bridge, or any gallery provided for similar

purposes or for maintenance and repair

(see definition of "Element of structure" in

Appendix E).

IanC