Abstract Fire resistance is one of the most enduring ideas in fire safety design. This paper charts the emergence of fire resistance, and its rise to ubiquity – with a focus on British codes and standards. Beginning as a method for independent testing of ‘fireproofing’ systems, fire resistance was formalised in the USA, and subsequently in the UK. Minimum fire resistance periods were defined that would allow a structure to resist burnout of the fuel in a compartment; these minimum periods became legislatively empowered in the 1950s. Over subsequent decades the required periods of fire resistance evolved in response to uncertainties and competing motives. It is shown that within UK guidance, where statutory guidance recommends 30 min as a period of fire resistance, such buildings are not expected to resist burnout. Where guidance recommends more than 30 min fire resistance (for offices or residential buildings), it is intended that such buildings should resist burnout. This paper aims to assist those with responsibility for meeting the requirements of the building regulations to consider for themselves whether following the guidance in the approved documents (or technical handbooks in Scotland) is likely to be sufficient to discharge their responsibilities as construction professionals.

中文翻译：

---

耐火性的兴起与兴起

摘要 耐火性是消防安全设计中最经久不衰的理念之一。本文描绘了耐火性的出现及其普及——重点关注英国规范和标准。最初作为独立测试“防火”系统的方法，耐火性在美国正式化，随后在英国正式化。定义了最小耐火期，使结构能够抵抗隔间中的燃料燃尽；这些最短期限在 1950 年代获得立法授权。在随后的几十年中，由于不确定性和竞争动机，所需的耐火时间不断发展。结果表明，在英国指南中，法定指南建议将 30 分钟作为耐火期，但预计此类建筑物不会被烧毁。如果指南建议耐火性超过 30 分钟（对于办公室或住宅建筑），则此类建筑应能耐烧毁。本文旨在帮助那些负责满足建筑法规要求的人自行考虑遵循批准文件（或苏格兰的技术手册）中的指导是否可能足以履行他们作为建筑专业人士的责任。