COMNIIl'11E OFCALFORNIA
TECHNICAL INFORMATION & PRODUCTSERVICE
FIREPROOFING
OPEN-WEB JOISTS & GIRDERS
Due to the increased usage of open-web joists and
truss girders in the design of larger, taller buildings,
their fireproofing requirement data is increasingly
sought by the architect and engineer. This paper
outlines a few of the major points the designer should
consider when fireproofing of these members is
required.
Use of a fire-rated ceiling will generally give an
economical solution if the requirement is just for a
protective envelope.1 But since each penetration of
the ceiling must take extra protection, such as fire
dampers, this Iow first-cost is often offset by the
added cost of the dampers.
Occupancy will influence the decision on whether
to use a fire-rated ceiling. For example, offices have
many penetrations for H.V.A.C., whereas residen-
tial has relatively few requirements for ceiling
penetrations.
Spray-on fireproofing of open-web joists and truss
girders is done with the same crews and equipment
employed in fireproofing wide flange structural
shapes. However, some variations in methods and
techniques must be used.
"LH" Series joists and "G" Series girders are
generally made of angles with flat surfaces. The
fireproofing is sprayed on directly in the same man-
ner as with structural steel beams. While it is gener-
ally preferred that the joists or truss girders not be
painted when they are to be fireproofed, this is not
as critical as for wide flange shapes since there are
no large flat areas to create adhesion problems. The
individual members are small, and as applied the
fireproofing actually wraps the member and creates
its own adherence. Generally it is the adherence of
the paint to the steel that governs not the adherence
of the fireproofing to the paint, therefore, do not
specify paint where fireproofing is required.
SEPTEMBER 1985
For the minimum insulating material thickness re-
quirement for a particular fire-resistive period (hour-
rating) contact the fireproofing manufacturer2 or con-
sult the latest issue of the U.L. Fire Resistance
Directory.3 The thickness required for wide flange
structural shapes cannot be used in every case as
a direct comparison to joists and truss girder con-
struction. Consideration must be given as to whether
the member is a primary or secondary structural
member. Requirements for roofs are different than
for floors. 1,4
For members of equal vertical load carrying capac-
ity, an open-web joist or truss girder will generally
be deeper than a wide flange structural shape.
However, since the joist or truss girder has very
little web surface there is a tendency to over-spray.
The total effect is that the cost per square foot of
floor area for spray-on fireproofing of joists and
truss girders will be approximately the same as with
wide flange structural shapes.
Due to the thickness of the fireproofing there is
some reduction in the available open space within
the webs for utility ducts and pipes, and should be
taken into consideration by the design engineer.
Another fireproofing option is intumescent mastic
(swells or expands with heat). Required thick-
nesses range up to 1/2". Generally, the greater cost
of this type fireproofing tends to limit its use.
References:
Uniform Building Code (1982 Edition), Chapter 43, Fire-Resistant
Standards, Table No. 43-C.
2 Most manufacturers have a research report or product evalua-
tion for their fireproofing material on file with a City or the Interna-
tional Conference of Building Officials, Whittier, California.
3 Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., 333 Pfingsten Rd., Northbrook,
IL 60062
4 Designing Fire Protection for Steel Trusses, Second Edition, 1981,
American Iron & Steel Institute, Washington, D.C.
 THE STEEL COMMITTEE OF CALIFORNIA

Ace & Stewart Detailing, Inc. Kaiser Steel Corporation

Allied Steel Co., Inc. Lee & Daniel
Artimex Iron Co., Inc. McLean Steel, Inc.
Bannister Steel, Inc. Martin Iron Works, Inc.
Baresel Corporation Nelson Stud Welding Co.
Bethlehem Steel Corporation Palm Iron & Bridge Works
C. A. Buchen Corporation Pascoe Steel Corporation
Butler Manufacturing Co. Pittsburgh-Des Moines Corporation
Central Industrial Engineering Co., Inc. Riverside Steel Construction
Cochran-lzant & Co., Inc. H.H. Robertson Co.
Dovell Engineering, Inc. Ross-Carter Corporation
The Herrick Corporation Schrader Iron Works, Inc.
Hoertig Iron Works Stockton Steel
Hogan Mfg., Inc. Stott Erection, Inc.
Industrial Steel Corp. USS Fabrications
Inland Steel Company United States Steel Corporation
Inryco, Inc. Verco Manufacturing, Inc.
Junior Steel Co. Western States Steel, Inc.

Northern California Southern California

1250 Pine St. No. 301 9440 Telstar Ave. No. 103
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 El Monte, CA 91731
(415) 932-0909 (818) 444-4519

Funding for this publication provided by the California Field Iron Workers Administrative Trust.