Behavior of inorganic materials exposed to fire depends upon the time-temperature relationship during exposure. Exposing these materials to heat generally causes significant changes in strength, elastic, and thermal properties. Temperature-distribution information developed during exposure and changes in properties occurring over the exposure temperature range are essential for evaluating the behavior of a structure where these materials are used.

This report provides information on changes in strength, elastic, and thermal properties due to increasing temperatures for various concretes, steels, and concrete masonry. Also, some thermal-property information is given for common brick, gypsum, ceiling tile, plasterboard, and asbestos-board. Use of temperature distribution and property information in predicting the performance of fire-exposed structures is described.

Finally, information on some actual fires in structures is presented to demonstrate how a knowledge of the behavior of inorganic materials exposed to fire can be used to predict the performance of structures.