METAL BUILDINGS MEET & EXCEED VARIED BUILDING CODES
Building codes require metal building construction to be fire rated in certain situations. To address these requirements, MBMA conducted fire tests at Underwriters Laboratory (UL), Intertek, and FM Global that showed metal buildings can easily comply with one- and two-hour fire-rating requirements. Use the table below to find fire protection details that meet your needs.
Fire Protection by Construction Type
Click on the UL Rated Assembly numbers below to go to the UL website page for that detail. If you do not already have a free UL account, you will be prompted to create one to access the details.
CONSTRUCTION TYPE | UL RATED | HOURS | DESCRIPTION | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Column | Built-up I-shape | 1, 2 | Gypsum Board | |
Light-gauge channel | 1, 2 | Gypsum Board | ||
Pipe | 1.5 | Gypsum Board | ||
Roof | Ceiling | 1 | Gypsum Board | |
1, 1.5 | Acoustical Tile | |||
1, 1.5 | Acoustical Tile | |||
Wall | Load Bearing | 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2 | Gypsum board | |
1, 1.5, 2 | Gypsum board | |||
Non-Load Bearing | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Gypsum board | ||
1, 2 | Gypsum board with girts at 48-in. max o.c. spacing | |||
1 | Gypsum board with girts at 90-in. max o.c. spacing and mineral wool, option for rigid foam board | |||
2 | Gypsum board with girts at 90-in. max o.c. spacing, option for rigid foam board | |||
1, 2 | Gypsum board with girts at 48-in. max o.c. spacing | |||
Joints, Compressed Insulation System | Purlin - Inside Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with rated roof ceiling | |
Purlin - Perpendicular to Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with rated roof ceiling | ||
Purlin - Parallel to Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with rated roof ceiling | ||
Joints, Cavity Filled Insulation System | Purlin - Inside Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with rated roof ceiling | |
Purlin - Perpendicular to Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with rated roof ceiling | ||
Purlin - Parallel to Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with rated roof ceiling | ||
Purlin - Perpendicular to wall | 2 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with rated roof ceiling | ||
Wall Continuity-Joint, Compressed Insulation System | Purlin - Inside Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with non-rated roof | |
Purlin - Perpendicular to Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with non-rated roof | ||
Purlin - Parallel to Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with non-rated roof | ||
Wall Continuity-Joint, Cavity Filled Insulation System | Purlin - Inside Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with non-rated roof | |
Purlin - Perpendicular to Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with non-rated roof | ||
Purlin - Parallel to Wall | 1 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with non-rated roof | ||
Purlin - Perpendicular to Wall | 2 | Gypsum board and fire caulk with non-rated roof | ||
Fire Resistance
The MBMA Fire Resistance Design Guide for Metal Building Systems is a comprehensive resource for fire protection issues related to metal building systems. For more information about this guide, please click here.
Fire Protection Alternatives for Metal Buildings
MBMA Fire Protection Videos
A series of five YouTube videos is available on fire resistance design for metal building systems on the MBMA Media site, https://www.youtube.com/@MBMAMEDIA.
Part 1 - Fire Resistance Design Basics
Part 2 - Basics of Fire-Resistance Rated Assemblies
Part 3 - Metal Building System Fire-Resistance Rated Assemblies - Columns and Roof-Ceiling
Part 4 - Metal Building System Fire-Resistance Rated Assemblies - Walls
Part 5 - Metal Building System Fire-Resistance Rated Assemblies - Continuity Joints
Note - these videos were created in 2017 so there are some changes that have occurred since then in terms of fire-resistance technology, research, products, and code requirements.