Bare and Rusted Steel Beams

[Peter W. Bennett]

Is there a requirement for protecting steel beams from corrosion/rust?

[dbucknavich]

That looks normal to me. No protection needed unless flammable or exposed to elements I believe.

[Peter W. Bennett]

It's in a crawlspace, which is exposed to the elements, i.e. moisture.
Normal? Maybe in your area, but the salt air at the Jersey Shore will deteriorate the steel.
Like the question states "Is there a requirement for protecting steel beams from corrosion/rust?"

[ckratzer]

Some builders have them painted some don't.Depends on the PF(prettyness factor) one is needing.
It's actually bolted to it's piers and plate.That's a plus.

How could you possibly work in such a clean crawl space??!!??
You could lick molasses of of that floor and feel like you ate at a 5 star resturaunt

[dbucknavich]

No. No requirements in my area. Yours might be different though, with all the salt and what not. I will say again the visible corrosion on that beam looks very normal to me though. They often show up to the job site looking like that. I wouldn't be concerned about it, but that's me. I'm not even sure what recommendation you could make for protection other than paint. Foam maybe? But's that a little overboard I think, and typically for fire protection only.

I would believe the exposed TGI's are more susceptible to moisture damage than the I-beam is. It could be a can of worms you're opening there.

[iniquette]

That IS the nicest looking crawl space I have ever seen. We don't see too many, so I don't know about any requirements for beam covering. I have never seen them covered though. Always open to the air when I do see them.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by pbennett1

Is there a requirement for protecting steel beams from corrosion/rust?

Yes, there is;


R505.2.3 Corrosion protection.

Load-bearing steel framing shall have a metallic coating complying with one of the following:

1. A minimum of G 60 in accordance with ASTM A 653.
2. A minimum of AZ 50 in accordance with ASTM A 792.
3. A minimum of GF 60 in accordance with ASTM A 875.

[Peter W. Bennett]

I was sure, and want proof, but couldn't find it.
Thanks Jeff, you da man.

[iniquette]

Thanks Jeff

[dbucknavich]

Originally Posted by jpope

Yes, there is;


R505.2.3 Corrosion protection.

Load-bearing steel framing shall have a metallic coating complying with one of the following:

1. A minimum of G 60 in accordance with ASTM A 653.
2. A minimum of AZ 50 in accordance with ASTM A 792.
3. A minimum of GF 60 in accordance with ASTM A 875.

I have a question about that. That section refers to cold formed steel floor framing, specifically sheet steel. Would the I-beam not fall into a different category, and wouldn't all structural steel framing members arrive already coated by the manufacturer? I think the I-beam may fall into a different section.

Section R407.2 Columns/Steel Column Protection- states " All surfaces (inside and outside) of steel columns shall be given a shop coat of rust-inhibitive paint, except for corrosion-resistant steel and steel treated with coatings to provide corrosion resistance.


Translate that how you may, but just another side of the coin to examine. Sorry for the delayed response, I took the afternoon off to go to the Phoenix Open where I proceeded to sun burn only the left side of my face.

[Doug Edwards]

Looks normal to me as well. I know in many applications the iron is allowed to rust forming basically a protective layer known as passivation, preventing any further rusting.

Iron metal is relatively unaffected by pure water or by dry oxygen. As with other metals, a tightly adhering oxide coating, a passivation layer, protects the bulk iron from further oxidation. Thus, the conversion of the passivating iron oxide layer to rust results from the combined action of two agents, usually oxygen and water.

[dbucknavich]

Originally Posted by dedwards

Looks normal to me as well. I know in many applications the iron is allowed to rust forming basically a protective layer known as passivation, preventing any further rusting.

Iron metal is relatively unaffected by pure water or by dry oxygen. As with other metals, a tightly adhering oxide coating, a passivation layer, protects the bulk iron from further oxidation. Thus, the conversion of the passivating iron oxide layer to rust results from the combined action of two agents, usually oxygen and water.

What he said.

[jkogel]

Originally Posted by dbucknavich

What he said.

Agreed. Check it agin in 5 yrs, it'll look the same.

John Kogel
www.allsafehome.ca

[dbucknavich]

..................

[Peter W. Bennett]

So, let's use a little common sense.
Why are steel bridges, ships and other structures painted?
Regards,
Peter