Falls Church, Virginia, October 20, 2025 — The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) has released Technical Bulletin Vol. 2, No. 5, “Use of Steel Posts within the Cavity of Cold-Formed Steel Framed Walls,“ which clarifies the use of steel posts within cold-formed steel (CFS) framed walls.* The bulletin says that when designers embed structural steel posts within the cavity of a fire-resistance rated, cold-formed steel (CFS) framed wall individual column fire protection is not required.
SFIA’s Tech Bulletin Vol. 2, No. 5, “Use of Steel Posts within the Cavity of Cold-Formed Steel Framed Walls,” shows that individual column fire protection is not required when structural steel posts are embedded within the cavity of a fire-resistance rated cold-formed steel (CFS) framed wall.
“Use of Steel Posts within the Cavity of Cold-Formed Steel Framed Walls”
Tech Bulletin Vol. 2, No. 5 explores the code provisions and solutions for mid-rise CFS construction. It particularly addresses fire walls, fire barriers and fire partitions. Often, Authorities Having Jurisdiction require approval before building such structures.
Steel Posts Within Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Walls
Some cold-formed steel walls include structural steel posts. Steel posts can be used to create heavy headers, transfer beams or shear wall end posts. AHJs have asked designers of some projects to enclose these steel studs in their own column fire surrounds. But this interpretation conflicts with long-standing code provisions, the SFIA paper says.
“The code has, for some years, allowed the membrane protection of the CFS-framed wall to provide adequate fire protection for these posts,” says SFIA Tech Bulletin Vol. 2, No. 5.
Requiring separate fire-rated enclosures for these posts would add unnecessary complexity to the project. For example, fire surrounds on each steel post could:
- Reduce usable floor area due to thicker walls
- Disrupt project sequencing and scheduling
- Challenge the constructibility of the walls
- Increase project costs
Anyway, the International Building Code specifically permits the use of membrane protection for embedded posts.
What the Code Says
Section 704 of the IBC addresses fire-resistance ratings for structural members. Subsection 704.3.1 — Light-frame construction (subsection 704.4.1 in IBCs prior to 2024) states that:
“Studs, columns and boundary elements that are integral elements in walls of light-frame construction and are located entirely between the top and bottom plates or tracks shall be permitted to have required fire-resistance ratings provided by the membrane protection provided for the wall.” — 2024 IBC
The IBC defines light-frame construction as a system of repetitive framing members, such as wood or cold-formed steel. Within this context, structural posts embedded in wall cavities are considered integral to the wall assembly. Therefore, they are protected by the same membrane system that protects the studs.
SFIA Tech Bulletin Vol. 2, No. 5 explains that this concept is consistent with how structural beams enclosed within rated floor-ceiling assemblies are treated. Such assemblies do not require individual fire encasement because the wall membrane provides the necessary protection.
Key Takeaways
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Cold-formed steel framed walls qualify as light-frame construction under IBC Section 704.3.1
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Embedded steel posts, such as end posts or header supports, are adequately protected by the wall’s membrane fire-resistance system
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No separate column fire encasement is required if the post terminates within the wall cavity between the top and bottom tracks
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The framing must match or exceed the original tested assembly in size, thickness and spacing of its members
These interpretations, the SFIA paper says, have been consistently supported through multiple IBC editions since 2009.
“Use of Steel Posts within the Cavity of Cold-Formed Steel Framed Walls”
About SFIA
The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), a unique organization representing steel mills, coil coaters, stud and connector manufacturers, component fabricators, Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) members, suppliers/distributors, contractors and others, provides members with exclusive access to technical cold-formed steel (CFS) framing services, including CFS certification, environmental product declarations, market data and analysis, technical design guides, specification review services, architectural services, the Steel Framing Learning Portal , the SFIA Awards and more. SFIA is an accredited ANSI Standards Development Organization. Follow SFIA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Additional Resources
- FAQ: Where and How Do You Install Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Resilient Channels?
- FAQ: What Are Resilient Channels, and What Is Their Purpose?
- Designers: Update to SFIA’s 2024 Tech Guide for the Latest CFS Load and Span Tables