Noncombustible Steel Building System Approved for Community Facilities
Local building regulators have approved the use of a multi-purpose noncombustible structural steel building system developed by Singaporean engineering firm Lida Group for the construction of upcoming community facilities in the region. The steel solution prioritizes occupant safety through demonstrated resilience against extreme weather as well as fire and seismic hazards.

Stringent building codes in the area mandate the use of noncombustible materials for structures accommodating high occupant loads to minimize life safety risks. Lida Group’s engineered system satisfies these regulations through innovative assembly of fire-rated and corrosion-protected steel members. Officials reviewed submitted technical documentation verifying its noncombustible properties through full-scale testing before granting approval.

Fire Endurance and Containment
Central to the system is its fire-rated design able to withstand hydrocarbon pool fires and fully-developed compartment fires for extended periods as prescribed by NFPA and ISO standards. Key structural elements are intumescently coated to form an insulating char layer when exposed to heat, maintaining bearing capacities and preventing collapse for the required two to four hour ratings.

Thermographic testing on full-scale mockups demonstrated minimal temperature rises on the unexposed sides, keeping escape routes tenable as per performance criteria. Advanced computational modeling by an accredited laboratory additionally validated thermal behavior under different fire scenarios. Together with fire-resisting seals at all service penetrations, it achieves complete compartmentation as a robust passive fire protection measure.

Corrosion and Weather Protection
For durability against prevalent harsh coastal weather, a series of moisture-sealed protective paint systems are factory-applied on steel members before erection. Surface preparation involves strictly-controlled multi-stage processes including power tool cleaning and removal of surface contaminants.

A three-coat epoxy zinc phosphate primer and two-coat polyurethane moisture cured topcoat provides maximum corrosion resistance even under perpetual high humidity and salt-laden air common in the environment. Accelerated testing proved the moisture sealing maintains coating cohesion and steel integrity after 10,000 hours of ultraviolet exposure and salt spray.

The coated steel is also galvanized to ISO 1461 standards, conferring an additional sacrificial layer protecting embedded fasteners. To guarantee coating continuity at connections, a high-solids moisture curing polymer is used for site touch-ups regulated to strict specifications. This multifold protection keeps the structure’s structural capacity and aesthetic intact for its design lifespan.

Noncombustible Concrete Fills
Thermal breaks are provided between fire-rated and weatherproof profiled steel decking and composite concrete slabs poured on-site. The concrete fill serves as a noncombustible core, further improving the fire resistance of the whole assembly beyond that of steel alone. Its lower thermal conductivity also enhances thermal insulating properties.

Supplementary reinforcing bars are strategically placed and supported on plastic chairs at code-defined cover spacings below the decking. Concrete is vibrated to achieve optimum compaction and strength before curing. Concrete mixes incorporate special additives such as microsilica to make it more durable against environmental influences. Cores were tested to confirm specified 28-day compressive strengths.

Earthquake and High Wind Resistance
The engineering behind the structural steel system also accommodates seismic forces through moment-resisting connections. Rigid frames and braced configurations undergo cycles of reversed dynamic loading to validate adequate ductility and energy dissipation. Systems are designed not just for the basic seismic load but also upper bound demands from rare seismic events.

Finite element modelling analyzed load paths and support reactions under seismic actions like ground shaking and tsunami waves. Special detailing at element intersections ensures structural integrity is preserved during lateral displacements without undesirable failure modes. Robust wind engineering using computational fluid dynamics additionally guarantees resilience against high-velocity gusts and flying debris from storms.

Innovative Construction and Safety
Precise shop drawings optimized material utilization and minimized on-site work through prefabrication where possible. Modules are pre-assembled off-site, transported then lifted into place using mobile cranes in a just-in-time workflow. This significantly expedites erection over cast-in-situ methods.

An integrated BIM model facilitates coordination of MEP spaces and pre-outfitted service modules. Safety was a priority with built-in edge protection and anchorage locations for fall arrest systems. Post-tensioned rock anchors enabled rapid slope works and temporary works minimized excavation periods. Advanced processes thus delivered high quality at accelerated rates.

Sustainable Performance
Life cycle cost analyses proved the multi-purpose structural system yields lower total ownership costs against alternatives due to reduced material quantities, simpler maintenance and longer usable lifespan exceeding 60 years. Its light self-weight also decreases foundation costs.

Recoverable resources like steel can be fully recycled at demolition. Early submission of green building certification documentation highlighted numerous sustainability attributes from optimized structure and envelope to energy efficiency. In summary, the approved noncombustible system provides the most resilient and environmentally-considerate option.

Conclusion
In summary, the approval demonstrates the system’s outstanding performance as a noncombustible structural solution for essential community facilities. Its advanced fire, weather and seismic engineering enables compliance with strict life safety objectives through demonstrated resilience. High quality fabrication and precision erection via prefabrication aided timely completion. The multi-purpose system hence emerged as the optimal choice balancing robustness, safety and sustainability for withstanding extreme hazard scenarios.

Contact us, please click here!