TG1: Accelerating Key Actions on Reactive Coatings for Structural Steel

The ASFP’s Task Group 1 (TG1) is making strong progress in updating guidance, improving testing protocols, and addressing key technical challenges relating to reactive coatings for structural steel fire protection.

At their recent meeting, TG1 confirmed a series of targeted actions to ensure that industry practices remain current, clear, and aligned with the evolving regulatory landscape.

Outdated Guidance Withdrawn

TG1 has agreed to withdraw several superseded advisory notes to streamline ASFP’s technical resources:

·       Advisory Notes 3, 4, 5, and 14 will be withdrawn, having been superseded by more recent publications such as Advisory Note 12, BS EN 13381-9, and the latest Yellow Book editions.

This action will help ensure that specifiers and applicators are working from the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.

“It’s vital we remove outdated documents to avoid confusion and to maintain best practice across the reactive coatings sector,” said Andrew Taylor, TG1 Convener.

Yellow Book 6th Edition Volume 2: Nearing Completion

Finalising Yellow Book 6th Edition Volume 2 remains TG1’s top priority. The updated draft will be circulated within the group for peer review, with a commenting deadline of 8 August 2025. A final drafting session is scheduled for 18 August 2025, with the aim of progressing the document for wider review in September.

No further technical changes will be accepted to prevent delays, though minor editorial adjustments are still welcome.

Critical Temperatures: A Design Responsibility

TG1 reaffirmed that building designers should determine the critical temperatures used in fire protection calculations for steel structures. The group’s guidance will recommend designing to the latest available guidance, with no transition period for older temperature selections.

A new Advisory Note will include clear wording to reflect this requirement and prevent misinterpretation.

Best Practice Guide: Installation Focus

TG1 identified the need to update the Best Practice Guide for the application of reactive coatings following installer feedback. Due to current commitments on the Yellow Book, this work will be revisited at the group’s September meeting.

Engineering and Testing: Faster Collaboration

Regulatory Developments: Key Changes for Reactive Coatings

TG1 is actively tracking major regulatory changes that will impact the reactive coatings sector:

·       The UK is replacing ‘Safety Critical’ with ‘Products Critical to Safe Construction’, potentially expanding manufacturers’ responsibilities beyond the factory gate.

·       Under new European CPR rules, technical assessments must now be revalidated every five years from January 2026.

Supporting Research and Industry Competence

TG1 welcomed international collaboration opportunities, including research from the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS) on localised fire scenarios. Members have been invited to contribute data to support this work.

Progress also continues on the development of a competence framework for reactive coatings professionals, though this remains a long-term industry goal.

TG1’s next meetings are scheduled for 9 July and 15 October 2025, as the group continues to lead advancements in reactive coatings guidance, testing, and best practice. 

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