ASCE/SEI 7 appendix e proposal: Performance-based design procedures for fire effects on structures

The ASCE/SEI Technical Committee on Fire Protection was formed to support professional structural engineers conducting performance-based design of structural systems for fire effects with guidance documents. The Committee saw a need for an ASCE/SEI Standard 7 Appendix on fire effects on structures, and the authors led the development of a performance-based design method to support alternative approaches to prescriptive design methods. The use of performance-based design procedures for fire effects on structures is permitted by the alternative materials, design, and methods of construction provision in the building codes. The proposed Appendix fills a long-standing need within the industry to foster improved design and approval procedures for structural performance under fire conditions. The Appendix addresses fire, thermal, and structural topics that the structural engineer may need to understand or perform during a performance-based design, including general requirements, performance objectives, thermal analysis of fire effects, and structural analysis of fire effects.