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