| One major question that arises when | | | | additional fireproofing to meet fire codes. |
| constructing a new building is whether to use | | | | That said, a steel building in its most basic |
| steel or concrete. Both materials have | | | | form will not protect against a fire, |
| inherent positives and negatives. They differ | | | | explosion or earthquake as well as a concrete |
| in terms of cost, ease of use, the amount of | | | | building. |
| time required to use them, availability and | | | | |
| many other factors. | | | | However, advanced engineering and protections |
| | | | such as spray-on fireproofing, and |
| When you are constructing a new building, | | | | high-quality sprinkler systems can greatly |
| safety issues are one of the most important | | | | increase a steel building's ability to |
| considerations. You will want to be confident | | | | withstand a fire. Also, the choice of other |
| that the structure you are creating can | | | | materials used when constructing a steel |
| withstand natural disasters, floods, or even | | | | building can make a big difference. For |
| terrorist attacks. You will also want to know | | | | example, a steel building that was built with |
| how well your building will fare in a fire, | | | | a large amount of wood will be more |
| which begs the question: will concrete or | | | | susceptible to fire. |
| metal buildings fare better in a fire? | | | | |
| | | | Steel is non-combustible, but can potentially |
| In a fire, how well a building maintains its | | | | bend in a hot fire, putting the structural |
| structural integrity is crucial. Obviously, a | | | | integrity of the building at risk. |
| burning building is a big problem. A burning | | | | Conversely, steel's ductility can be a |
| building that partially collapses is a total | | | | benefit to safety. In an earthquake zone, |
| disaster. One of concrete's main benefits is | | | | steel buildings are more common because they |
| that it can endure fire for a long time | | | | can better withstand massive shock. In an |
| without losing its structural integrity. | | | | earthquake or a large explosion, stiff |
| Concrete's thickness and lack of ductility | | | | concrete walls are more likely to fall than |
| make it a good safeguard that can keep a fire | | | | concrete. |
| from becoming worse. Thick concrete walls are | | | | |
| also able to withstand very high temperatures | | | | Steel is often used to build rigid frame that |
| without deforming or cracking. They can also | | | | allow builders to cover large spans with less |
| potentially block explosions. | | | | support. This is a very beneficial |
| | | | characteristic in many ways, but it can |
| Concrete walls and partitions effectively | | | | increase fire risk by creating a large, open |
| split a building into compartments, | | | | space for a fire to spread throughout. It |
| separating different areas from each other, | | | | seems as though a basic, concrete structure |
| reducing property damage and making it easier | | | | will hold up better in a regular, high-heat |
| for firefighters to contain a fire. Concrete | | | | fire than a steel structure. However, if the |
| buildings generally are less expensive to | | | | fire is more complicated, (such as it has |
| insure because of this. | | | | experienced earthquake aftershocks or has |
| | | | been affected by explosions), perhaps a steel |
| Steel buildings almost always require | | | | structure would be the better option. |