A cast-in-place reinforced concrete structure is safer and stronger than any other commercial building types. According to researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, steel, when exposed to fire, loses its strength and stiffness much faster than high-strength concrete. High-strength concrete, which has a lower thermal conductivity, will maintain its structural integrity for a longer period of time in a fire situation.
Aware of the advantages of high-strength concrete over steel, owners today are looking at wider stairs for egress and concrete cores to ensure safety of their tenants’ workforce. Developers already use concrete as the material of choice for residential buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and all types of institutional buildings. Now, as a form of homeland security and as a means of providing greater protection for the workforce, cast-in-place reinforced concrete should be specified as the material of choice for the construction of all Class A high-rise office structures.
