Steel beam and plasterboard

[snapfish]

I’ve just installed 4 steel beams in my house, do I still need to box them in with plasterboard if they are at joist level (the ceiling will be flush).
The structural calculations only say 30 mins fire proof. If I were to use the fire retardant board on the bottom of steel, would that be enough?

 

[^woody^]

The ceiling is 30 minutes

 

[snapfish]

I think I follow. So if the whole ceiling is rated at 30mins, there is no need to put plasterboard on the sides of the beam?

 

[^woody^]

The idea is to protect the beam from a fire in the room below it, so if there is a ceiling between the room and the beam, that is normally sufficient.

 

[domdee]

intumescent paint might be an option

 

[Leofric]

I’ve just installed 4 steel beams in my house, do I still need to box them in with plasterboard if they are at joist level (the ceiling will be flush).
The structural calculations only say 30 mins fire proof. If I were to use the fire retardant board on the bottom of steel, would that be enough?

Didn't the person who did the structural calculations advise you that structural alterations such as installing 4 steel beams require building regulations approval ? Building Control would then see what fire protection was being proposed to achieve 30 minutes fire resistance !

 

[snapfish]

Yes, we had building control out end of last week, to check the beams. Only thing he picked up on, was the joist hangers didn’t have a screw in every single hole. Which is easily fixed. We ask about the plasterboard, and he said standard 12.5mm is rated at 30 mins so is happy for us to single lay board and skim the whole ceiling.

 

[Notch7]

Yes, we had building control out end of last week, to check the beams. Only thing he picked up on, was the joist hangers didn’t have a screw in every single hole. Which is easily fixed. We ask about the plasterboard, and he said standard 12.5mm is rated at 30 mins so is happy for us to single lay board and skim the whole ceiling.

I always thought it was 2 layers of standard or one of 'pink board'.......

 

[23vc]

I always thought it was 2 layers of standard or one of 'pink board'.......

Me too

 

[John D v2.0]

Our se specified double board but the builder did pink board which was fine and saved some space.