Abstract This paper investigates the influence of gap size (openings/spaces between two structural members) on mass timber beam-column concealed hanger connections in fire. The presence of an intumescent sealant, and how it can influence the temperature development in a concealed connection with a small gap, is also analysed. The experimental results of sixteen concealed connections manufactured with a proprietary aluminium concealed connector are presented. The connections were exposed with a 0 mm, 3 mm, 6 mm and 10 mm gap to the ISO 834 standard fire for 60 min. Half of the samples in each sample group were protected with an intumescent fire protection sealant. The temperatures in the timber were measured at various locations around the gap and directly at the location of the aluminium bracket. These results show that unprotected 6 mm and 10 mm gaps should be avoided. The intumescent sealant performed well and limited the temperature development in the aluminium bracket significantly. When compared to the bracket temperatures of the 0 mm samples, the increase in temperatures in the unprotected samples (on average at 60-min) ranged between 62 and 258% depending on gap size, while in the protected samples temperatures were limited to between − 4% to 21%. The application of an intumescent fire sealant also improved the predictability of the thermal development in the connections and in the 3 mm gap protected samples the lowest temperatures were recorded.

Abstract Frequent wildfires increasingly impact tourist populations, yet there is a shortage of evidence-based, human-centered tools for wildfire risk reduction tailored to these areas. Most current tools focus primarily on assessing and reducing physical vulnerabilities, overlooking human aspects. While some community wildfire management guidelines exist, actionable strategies for disaster managers to address tourist-specific vulnerabilities are absent. This study aligned with existing vulnerability assessment methodologies, utilizing qualitative interviews, site visits, and literature review to identify key characteristics of tourist vulnerabilities and develop effective mitigation strategies. As a result, we developed TOURSAFE—a freely accessible tool for disaster risk managers in tourist areas. Based on human behavior in fire scenarios, expected evacuation decisions, and key actors’ expertise, TOURSAFE assists in identifying tourism-related wildfire vulnerabilities and offers relevant, adaptable mitigation strategies. This tool is easy to use, accessible, and provides actionable advice for short-, medium-, and long-term planning.

Abstract The high thermal conductivity of steel, combined with its rapid degradation in mechanical properties with increasing temperature, makes it vulnerable to fire. Fire protection materials are effectively designed to control the temperature rise within steel members. This paper is a companion to a previous numerical analysis study on protected square hollow section (SHS) steel columns using thermally enhanced gypsum-based mortars. It offers a more detailed numerical investigation into the thermal performance of different gypsum-based mortar compositions used as a passive fire protection material for different types of steel columns. Firstly, finite element models for SHS steel columns were developed and verified against data from previous fire resistance tests. Then, a parametric study was conducted to explore how factors like fire protection thickness and composition, cross-section (square, rectangular, and H-shaped sections), steel tube thickness, column slenderness, and applied load level (serviceability load states) affect their fire performance under the ISO-834 standard fire curve. Comparisons were made between numerical results and current design methods from Eurocodes. It was observed that existing design methods excessively underestimate the actual fire resistance of protected columns, particularly for class-4 cross-sections especially when mortars with highest thermal insulation capacity are used. Moreover, the thermal properties of fire protection mortars should be considered in the structural steel temperature prediction as a function of temperature during fire conditions. Based on the study’s findings, modifications to current design methods for predicting the temperature evolution of columns as a function of the cross-sections and fire protection compositions, were presented with enhanced accuracy. These proposed modifications can potentially contribute to future development in Eurocode and improved fire resistance predictions.