ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the building frame elements, cladding and roofing and examines how these elements behave in an explosion. Most buildings consist of a frame either of steel, concrete or wood which is then covered with a cladding. The most economical building in terms of construction materials is a steel frame with a cladding system. The frame is relatively blast resistant and the building elements will not burn; however, they can be severely weakened by fire. As a result most structural elements in a steel frame are treated with a fire retardant material to protect the metal from extreme fire temperatures. Because wood is combustible, it can be treated to make it fire resistive, but this treatment is expensive causing designers to opt for the metal frame instead. The method of installing a window into a wall fabricated of these metal panels is slightly complex and more complex than installing a window in a wood cladding.
