MBMA Releases Fire Resistance Design Guide for Metal Building Systems

CLEVELAND, OH, September 26, 2010 (Press-News.org) The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces the release of the 2010 Fire Resistance Design Guide for Metal Building Systems. The guide provides building owners, architects, engineers, specifiers, fire marshals, building code officials, contractors, product vendors, builders and metal building manufacturers information on how to effectively meet fire resistance requirements of a project with metal building systems. Complete details can be found at http://www.mbmamanual.com.

"MBMA has consistently been at the forefront of design and testing the fire resistive properties of metal building systems," says MBMA chairman Chuck Haslebacher. "This new guide brings the available information together in a handy reference guide for anyone who works with metal buildings or needs information on their fire-resistance properties."

This design guide was commissioned by the MBMA to consolidate and present the available information on common fire-resistant construction practices for metal building systems and the twelve existing MBMA sponsored fire-resistive rated assemblies. It has been developed in the context of the relevant provisions of the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and its typical applications in the United States. The guide provides up-to-date information on passive forms of fire resistant systems, codes, detailed explanations of specific fire protection materials and ways to provide one- and two-hour fire rated assemblies for walls, columns, roofs, floors and ceilings.

The Fire Resistance Guide has 8 chapters plus appendices. It includes both broad background information for practitioners not familiar with the subject as well as advanced guidance and insights for more experienced users. The guide specifically addresses the steel-fire protection for low-rise metal building systems, also referred to as passive protection. There are chapters on gypsum board, spray-on materials and other fire protection materials. Additionally, there is a comprehensive list of resources for fire resistive design, and appendices with both MBMA sponsored and other fire-resistive assemblies.

MBMA Fire Resistance Design Guide for Metal Buildings
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Fire Resistance and Safety
Chapter 3: Prescriptive Fire Protection Practice
Chapter 4: Metal Building Systems
Chapter 5: Gypsum Board Fire Protection
Chapter 6: Spray-On Fire Protection Materials
Chapter 7: Other Fire Protection Materials
Chapter 8: Available Resources for Fire Resistive Design
Appendix A: MBMA Fire-Resistive Assemblies
Appendix B: Additional Fire-Resistive Assemblies
Appendix C: Addressees of Organizations
Appendix D: Bibliography

MBMA has served metal building systems manufacturers and suppliers since 1956. Its membership represents more than $1.9 billion in annual steel shipments and accounts for approximately 39% of the total non-residential low-rise construction market in the United States. MBMA provides engineering leadership through the many research programs that it sponsors annually, often in coordination with major universities and engineering schools throughout North America. This research is used to improve the performance, efficiency and quality of metal building systems and to elevate the technology used to produce them.