Can Concrete Really Catch Fire? (Video)

“Hi, my name is Greg Batista here to answer another question from the internet.

FireFearless asks: Can concrete actually burn?

Concrete itself doesn’t burn like wood, but under extreme heat it can spall and fail. When fire heats the moisture trapped in pores, it turns into steam, building pressure until the surface explodes off in flakes. The Portland Cement Association notes that at 1,100°F, concrete starts to lose significant strength, and at 1,800°F it may lose half its capacity. The steel inside also weakens, compounding the danger. That’s why building codes require fireproofing in high-rises and why engineers inspect fire-damaged structures carefully. Concrete is fire-resistant, not fireproof.

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Authoritative references: Portland Cement Association – Fire Resistance of Concrete; NFPA fire resistance data.

The author, Greg Batista, PE, CGC, SI is owner of G. Batista Engineering & Construction and is a nationally-recognized engineer and contractor with more than 35 years of experience and offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.