Rautaruukki launches safe, effective performanc...

Press release, 29 September 2008

Rautaruukki is improving the fire safety of steel construction and
now presents a new solution for performance-based fire design. Major
benefits of the solution include ensuring the fire safety of
buildings in all fire conditions and choice of the most
cost-efficient fire protection method in each case.


Ruukki's design solution carries out fast, efficient
performance-based fire design simulations that can be used more often
than earlier in construction projects. Technically, the new solution
combines structural analysis and the product model and fire
simulation software used in building design into a seamless solution
that eliminates the risks arising from manual data exchange between
software.

"We aim to further increase construction speed, efficiency and
safety," says Saku Sipola, President of Ruukki Construction. "All
construction project partners benefit from this innovation. The
behaviour of buildings and structures can be carefully designed to
meet official safety standards, thus ensuring safety for building
users in all conditions. In addition, designers save time, while
investors and construction companies benefit financially from optimal
fire protection methods. With this solution we can draw on our
long-term work in improving and the optimal choice of different
structural fire protection methods and increase our competitive edge
in many challenging types of building."

Structural fire protection methods include normal and high-pressure
sprinklers for which Ruukki has certified product declarations, as
well as fire protection with intumescent coating and structural
overdimensioning. Thorough analysis often reveals that a building
contains structures that do not require separate fire protection at
all. Choosing optimal fire protection methods in accordance with the
fire protection requirements of a building has a significant impact
on the competitiveness of the structural solution.

Ruukki's solution is based on Ruukki's own and commercial 3D design
software programmes, which exchange data automatically. The solution
can also be integrated into design software for non-residential
construction launched by Ruukki earlier. Ruukki's solutions enable
the customer to quickly implement design in tandem with Ruukki's
experts or other design partners. The new design solution is
initially being launched in Finland.

Further information is available from: Saku Sipola, President, Ruukki
Construction, tel: [phone]

Rautaruukki supplies metal-based components, systems and integrated
systems to the construction and mechanical engineering industries.
The company has a wide selection of metal products and services.
Rautaruukki has operations in 25 countries and employs 14,990 people.
Net sales in 2007 totalled EUR 3.9 billion. The company's share is
quoted on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki (Rautaruukki Oyj: RTRKS).
The Corporation has used the marketing name Ruukki since 2004.
www.ruukki.com