In order to foresee the response during the fire of a real symmetrical structure (prototype), nowadays engineers apply methods which involve the associated reduced-scale model’s behaviors, mainly dimensional analysis behaviors. Between the dimensional analysis methods, the so-called Modern Dimensional Analysis (MDA), developed by Szirtes, fulfills all engineering requirements compared with the classical one. The authors used this new proposed method to describe their original electric fire simulation testing bench, as well as the Model Law (using MDA) for the heat transfer in tubular rectangular bars. So, a validation of the Model Law was performed based on several scrupulous experimental investigations both on a real column’s segment and its associated reduced-scale models manufactured at 1:2; 1:4, as well as 1:10 scales. The original heating system, the elaborated protocol, the deduced Model Law, and the results of the experimental investigations represent the contributions of the authors in the field of metallic structures subject to fires. The results validate the possibility of using MDA in the case of heat transmission.

Nowadays, the real structures (considered as prototypes) subjected to fire are analysed by means of the behaviours of some reduced scale structures (defined as models). These prototype–model correlations are governed by the so-called dimensional analysis (DA) methods. These methods, starting from the Buckingham theorem, offer several dimensionless variables and based on them is the so-called Model Law (ML), which is able to foresee the predictable prototype’s answer based on the results of the experimental investigations performed exclusively on the model (usually manufactured at a reduced scale). Based on the MDA principles, in a previous paper the authors elaborated the complete ML for the heat transfer in beams with rectangular-hole cross-sections, considering unprotected as well as thermally protected structural elements. The authors, based on meticulous experimental investigations, obtained the validation of this ML for the unprotected steel members. In this contribution, the authors offer in a similar manner the ML validation for intumescent paint-protected steel members and thus the complete validation of their original ML. In their theoretical and experimental investigations, the authors involved both a real column’s element combined with its models manufactured at 1:2 and 1:4, as well as 1:10 scales too. Consequently, the obtained ML can be considered as generally valid, involving a real structural element and its model manufactured at the desired scale.