Fire Safety Analysis to Minimize Risk in Buildings with the Steel Framing System

Abstract

In Ecuador, a large part of the structural components of constructions and buildings do not have effective mechanisms for protection against fires. For its part, the Steel Framing construction system, which is one of the most beneficial and innovative because it provides high thermal, acoustic and fireproof resistance, in addition to being lightweight, quick to implement and environmentally friendly, lacks credibility in the national and local market, having low demand and being limited to the reach of consumers, who are mainly professionals involved in real estate projects. In this descriptive research, with an exploratory scope and mixed approach, the difference between Steel Framing constructions and traditional constructions in their exposure to fire is compared; The fire resistance of the different materials used in the Steel Framing system is analyzed, and their overall response during a fire, and the variations in the mechanical properties of galvanized steel and its coatings under fire exposure conditions are identified. It is concluded that this type of construction has a lower risk of fire and greater fire resistance compared to traditional construction systems, favoring the safety of its occupants.