Self-compacting concrete (SCC) generally experiences considerable deterioration in its mechanical properties during fire exposure because of its dense microstructure and low permeability. This study investigates the influence of different fire-protective coatings on SCC reinforced with 1% glass fiber and evaluates their ability to preserve its residual mechanical properties after fire exposure. Four fire-protective coatings were evaluated: SiO₂ aerogel plaster, gypsum plaster, Paris plaster, and intumescent paint. The furnace temperature followed the initial portion of the ASTM E119 standard fire curve until the target temperature of 600 °C was reached. Coated and uncoated SCC specimens were exposed to fire in a steel furnace for 60, 90, and 120 min. Following fire exposure, the specimens were gradually air-cooled. Residual mechanical performance was assessed through compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength tests. The uncoated specimens exhibited severe fire-induced strength degradation, which increased with exposure duration. After 120 min, the SiO₂ aerogel coating demonstrated high efficiency, with retention of 87.78%, 76.32%, and 81.75% of the compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strength, respectively. The gypsum and Paris plaster coatings resulted in moderate protection, whereas the intumescent paint showed limited performance. The findings indicate that fire-protective coatings remarkably enhance the residual mechanical performance of glass-fiber-reinforced SCC at a high temperature and after prolonged fire exposure.
