What is BS EN 13381-8 - Steel member fire resistance protection about?
BS EN 13381-8 is the eight-part of the multiple series document that specifies a test method for determining the contribution made by applied reactive fire protection systems to the fire resistance of structural steel members, which can be used as beams or columns.
Note 1: BS EN 13381-8 considers only sections without openings in the web. BS EN 13381-8 is not directly applicable to structural tension members without further evaluation. Results from the analysis of I or H - sections are directly applicable to angles, channels and T-sections for the same section factor, whether used as individual elements or as bracing.
Note 2: BS EN 13381-8 does not apply to solid bar or rod.
Note 3: BS EN 13381-8 covers fire protection systems that involve only reactive materials and not passive fire protection materials as defined in this document.
Who is BS EN 13381-8 - Steel member fire resistance protection for?
BS EN 13381-8 on fire resistance of timber structures is useful for: 
- Architects 
- Real estate developers 
- Civil engineers 
- Construction industries
- Contractors
- Builders
Why should you use BS EN 13381-8 - Steel member fire resistance protection?
The fire test procedures in BS EN 13381-8 specify the tests that will help you determine the ability of the fire protection system to remain coherent and attached to the steelwork, as well as provide data on the fire protection system's thermal characteristics when exposed to the standard temperature/time curve specified in EN 1363-1.
BS EN 13381-8 also includes an assessment that will assist you in analysing the test results and provides instructions on how to perform the interpolation.
Overall, BS EN 13381-8 help you to establish:
- On the basis of temperature data derived from testing loaded and unloaded sections, a correction factor and any practical constraints on the use of the fire protection system under fire test conditions, (the physical performance)
- On the basis of the temperature data derived from testing short steel sections, the thermal properties of the fire protection system, (the thermal performance)
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13381-8:2013 supersedes BS EN 13381-8:2010 which is withdrawn.
With respect to the BS EN 13381-8:2010, the following changes have been made:
- A change has been made to the test method to introduce of a means allowing loaded beams to reach a deflection of L/30
- In addition, the graphical assessment method now includes a point-to-point method of constructing lines and a new virtual data point related to furnace temperature
