Fire Rating

[strucguy]

For a steel framed building that uses braced bays as lateral system, is it fair to assume that the braces are not part of primary structural system from fire-rating perspective. My argument is based on the assumption that during a fire event, the building can rely on the restraint in beam-beam and beam-column connections for it's lateral stability even if the braces had been compromised. Is that a reasonable argument? Appreciate your input. Thanks.

 

[TLHS]

I don't know what your code says, but I wouldn't just ignore it.

Have you actually checked your system and connections to prove that it holds up under the load it would see during fire without the braces?

 

[strucguy]

TLHS, I am using IBC 2009. Couldn't find anything in there that backs my argument. Thanks for you input though.