Abstract: A fire protective system and method for a support structure such as a truss having top and bottom chord members, web members extending between the top and bottom chord members and connector plates for connecting the respective ends of the web members to the top and bottom chord members. Fire protection is provided by an elongated metal member having a base portion and a pair of flanges projecting upwardly from the base portion to form a channel. The bottom chord member is received within the channel so that the flanges extend at least partially upwardly along respective opposite sides of the bottom chord member and are in contact therewith. The web members are preferably comprised of V-shaped metal webs having a central toothed connector plate, a pair of elongated arms diverging outwardly from the central connector plate and a pair of toothed connector plates integrally formed on respective ends of the arms opposite the central connector plate.