One stop shop

This document has explained the fundamental principles of structural fire engineering, a discipline which is developing at a significant pace. New design methods are continually being developed based on theoretical and experimental research and designers and clients are increasingly aware of  the potential contribution of fire engineering to the construction of economical, robust and innovative buildings.

To assist UK industry in the procurement of efficient and economical construction projects, and to support the application of the latest technology associated with structural fire engineering, the One Stop Shop web site (www.structuralfiresafety.org) has been developed at the University of Manchester, supported by the Department of Trade & Industry. Support was also provided by twelve industrial partners as well as representatives from leading design consultancies, approving bodies, the fire brigade and professional institutions.

The web site provides free practical and impartial advice on all aspects of structural fire engineering allowing the full benefits of previous research, development and experience to be utilised in practice. The information on the site includes sections on how to design for fire, quick solutions for the non-expert, case studies, material behaviour, references and test data.

A design section covers both prescriptive and performance-based approaches. Available design methods for the performance based approaches are explained for the three components of structural fire engineering: modelling the fire; determining the heat transfer to the structure; and high temperature structural analysis. The background research supporting the design methods is presented and explained.

The web site also contains test data supporting current code provisions for fire resistance. This includes all tests carried out in the UK and the full data set from the Cardington fire tests.

The web-site also provides electronic CPD courses to educate designers in the use of structural fire design codes (including the new Eurocodes) for all the common framing materials.