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24 June 2002

This shows that fire resistance requirements for building structural members have been substantially reduced in most building codes since 1927, in some cases up to 50%. It was presented today at the NIST public hearing in New York City on the WTC towers collapse.

Fire resistance is the duration in hours of fire-resistance of protective material applied to steel structural members.

Testimony of some three dozen speakers at today's hearing:

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/Event/2002/jun/nist/agenda.htm

A slide from a presentation by Joseph J. Messersmith, Jr. P.E., Coordinating Manager, Regional Code Services, Portland Cement Associaton, Telephone: 804-749-3584. jmessersmith@portcement.org

Required Fire Resistance of Structural Members

Code and Edition

First (Latest)

Structural Element

Columns

Beams

Floors
National Building Code - 1931 (1976)

4(3)

3(2)

3(2)
Uniform Building Code - 1927 (1997)

4(3)

3(2)

3(2)
Standard Building Code - 1950 (1997)

3(3)

2(2)

2(2)
Basic Building Code - 1950 (1999) Apartment

4(2)*

3(2)

3(2)
Basic Building Code - 1950 (1999) Office

3(2)*

2(2)

2(2)
International Building Code - 2000

2*

2

2
National Fire Protection Association 5000 - 2003

2*t

2

2

* Includes one hour reduction for sprinklers

t 3 hours if building greater than 420 feet in height (added after 9/11)

Caveat: The Portland Cement Association is composed of members who sell cement and concrete products, including those for fire protection. However, it is the premier cement research and standards organization and highly reputable. Concrete construction is a prime competitor of steel construction.

It still amazes this architect that in a slew of hearings no architects have testified or have even been mentioned as primarily responsible for fire protection requirements of buildings. It is architects, not engineers, who specify fire protection requirements for structure, stairs, exits and the host of building elements, including the building as a whole.

A bevy of reports on the WTC collapse claim it was not the aircraft attacks which caused the collpase but the fire afterward. There is silence on who specified fire protection for the towers and designed the exit systems. It was not engineers or owners but architects.

It is strange indeed that architects are not being held accountable for the WTC disaster, and are not primarily involved in its investigation. Except for the fact that architects hire the design team, assuage property owners, caress building officials and present happy faces to the public about the glory of architecture.

This parallels the exculpation of intelligence agencies and their overseers when disaster strikes almost as if unpredictable.