Evaluation of Innovative and Sustainable Fire Protection Systems for Reinforced Concrete Structures

This study presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in fire protection technologies for reinforced concrete (RC) structures, with a focus on sustainable and high-performance solutions. As climate change and urban densification continue to shape modern construction, the need for fire-resilient and environmentally responsible building systems has never been more urgent. This study examines traditional fire protection practices and contrasts them with emerging innovations. Emphasis is placed on their thermal performance, structural integrity post-exposure, and long-term durability. Case studies and laboratory findings highlight the effectiveness of these systems under standard and severe fire scenarios. This paper will present the results of a research study on the assessment of different fire protection systems for RC columns retrofitted with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) jacketing. To quantify how insulation can preserve confinement, three commercial fire protection schemes were tested on small-scale CFRP- and GFRP-confined concrete cylinders: (i) a thin high-temperature cloth + blanket (DYMAT™-RS/Dymatherm), (ii) an intumescent epoxy-based coating (DCF-D + FireFree 88), and (iii) cementitious mortar (Sikacrete™ 213F, 15 mm and 30 mm). Specimens were exposed to either 60 min of soaking at 200 °C and 400 °C or to a 30 min and 240 min ASTM E119 standard fire; thermocouples recorded interface temperatures and post-cooling uniaxial compression quantified residual capacity. All systems reduced FRP–interface temperatures by up to 150 °C and preserved 65–90% of the original confinement capacity under moderate fire conditions (≤400 °C and ≤30 min ASTM E119) compared to 40–55% for unprotected controls under the same conditions. The results provide practical guidance on selecting insulation types and thicknesses for fire-resilient FRP retrofits.