Steel frame

The frame needs to be protected from fire because steel softens at high temperature and this can cause the building to partially collapse.

In the case of the columns this is usually done by encasing it in some form of fire resistant structure such as masonry, concrete or plasterboard.

The beams may be cased in concrete, plasterboard or sprayed with a coating to insulate it from the heat of the fire or it can be protected by a fire-resistant ceiling construction.

Bricks, stone, reinforced concrete, architectural glass, sheet metal and simply paint have been used to cover the frame to protect the steel from the weather.

Thermal bridging can be protected against by installing a layer of externally fixed insulation along the steel framing – typically referred to as a 'thermal break'.

The spacing between studs is typically 16 inches on center for home exterior and interior walls depending on designed loading requirements.

[4] The distinctive feature of hot formed frames is their substantial beam thickness and larger dimensions, making them more robust compared to their cold rolled counterparts.

This inherent strength makes them particularly well-suited for application in larger structures, as they show minimal deformation when subjected to substantial loads.

This is because hot rolled steel frames require fewer components to span equivalent distances, leading to economic advantages in bigger projects.

The Royal Insurance Building in Liverpool designed by James Francis Doyle in 1895 (erected 1896–1903) was the first to use a steel frame in the United Kingdom.