Design boldly and build smart.
What is Structural Fire Engineering?
In most types of buildings, it is necessary to ensure that the core structure will remain in place for a reasonable period during a fire.
Structural Fire Engineering (SFE) ensures that a building’s core structure can withstand fire for a sufficient period, supporting safe evacuation and emergency response.
At Kiwa Fire Safety Compliance, our engineers use advanced modelling techniques to predict fire severity at critical locations and assess how structural elements -such as beams, floors, and walls – will respond over time. By applying Eurocode-based calculations and validated heat transfer analysis, we deliver precise, evidence-backed evaluations of structural fire performance.
This approach often leads to more efficient fire protection strategies, reducing unnecessary materials and costs while ensuring full regulatory compliance.
Specialist Support
At Kiwa Fire Safety Compliance, we offer a range of specialist services designed to help you assess, justify, and optimise the fire resistance of your building’s structure.
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Desktop Studies:
Assess non-tested or non-standard construction details using engineering judgement, tabulated data, and advanced modelling to determine fire resistance. -
Numerical Modelling:
Simulate fire scenarios using finite element analysis to predict how structural elements behave under thermal and mechanical stress. -
Site Inspections:
Evaluate the inherent fire resistance of existing structures during construction, refurbishment, or change of use, based on on-site observations and documentation. -
Third-Party Reviews:
Provide independent, expert review of fire engineering reports to support compliance, quality assurance, or regulatory approval. -
Technical Advice:
Offer tailored guidance to design teams, insurers, and regulators on fire resistance strategies, performance-based design, and compliance pathways.
Why Choose Us?
Our Structural Fire Engineering Team can confirm your building’s fire performance without over-specifying protection, using evidence-based analysis to confirm fire performance while supporting compliance, design freedom, and responsible cost management.
- Clear and timely answers grounded in engineering insight
- Performance-based design flexibility
- Enables architectural freedom
- Cost savings through reduced protection without compromising safety
- Robust evidence for compliance and risk management
When is SFE most valuable?
Structural Fire Engineering is essential when:
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Assessing Existing Buildings:
Evaluate the fire resistance of structures during refurbishment or change of use, identifying whether additional protection is needed to meet current standards. -
Non-Standard Materials or Mixed Systems:
When using hybrid or unconventional materials, SFE ensures fire performance is properly assessed beyond standard guidance. -
Non-Tested or Unusual Details:
For construction details not covered by existing fire test data, SFE provides engineering analysis to justify their use and performance. -
Performance-Based Design or Engineering Judgement:
When prescriptive codes don’t apply, SFE enables a flexible, evidence-led approach to demonstrate compliance through validated modelling.
Contact Form - Structural Fire Engineering
Please use this form to get in touch with us. If your enquiry is urgent please call the sales team on +44 (0)1844 275500.
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