Frequently asked questions
What is the significance of ICC-ES reports?
International Code Council-Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) does technical evaluations of building products, components, methods and materials. The result of the evaluation process is the issuance of a report on code compliance. These reports are made public free of charge to contractors, specifiers, architects, engineers and other professionals with an interest in the building industry and construction.
The ICC-ES evaluation reports provide evidence that the products and systems meet code requirements. These reports insure code compliance, simplify the code approval process and may help to alleviate the liability burden on the local authority having jurisdiction to review and approve the submitted fire protection materials.
The official website of ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. is www.icc-es.org
What are industry standard temperature requirements?
It is an industry standard for Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Materials (SFRMs) that the temperature at the job site must be greater than 40°F (4°C). A minimum substrate and ambient temperature of 40°F (4°C) shall be maintained prior to, during, and for a minimum of 24 hours after the application.
For Intumescent Coatings, the minimum ambient temperature must be between 50°F (10°C) and 100°F (38°C). A minimum substrate and ambient temperature of 50° (10°C) shall be maintained prior to, during and a minimum of 72 hours after application.
If necessary, tarp enclosures and temporary heat may be utilized to maintain the proper temperature and humidity levels in the application areas. These are the standards called out and accepted by the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries - International (AWCI) as well as The National Fireproofing Contractors Association (NFCA).
How do I determine thickness?
Thickness of the fire protection material is dependent upon the assembly in which it is being applied. The following basic information is required for the estimator to determine the proper Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) assembly:
When is a sealer required?
In areas where there is expected to be a greater than normal amount of air movement such as elevator shafts or areas adjacent to exhaust fans, it is recommended that an approved sealer be applied. Otherwise, a sealer or topcoat is considered optional, as we do not require a sealer in maintaining the fire rating or physical properties of the SFRM.
Can fireproofing products be painted?
When applying paint as a top coat or color coat over a product, it is required that the paint be non-bridging water-based latex. The paint should be applied over the material with the minimum amount required so as to avoid saturating the material. UL has approved this application of painting SFRMs and confirms that it will not adversely affect the fire resistance rating.
What do I do if my roof deck is painted?
If a steel deck is to be painted/primed, it must be listed in the specified Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) Design as a classified painted deck for the particular fire protection product and certified for fire test compatibility by the deck manufacturer for the exact deck designation.
The deck manufacturer must provide written confirmation that the paint / primer and the deck supplied to the project are those which are classified by UL. In addition, the deck must be listed in the UL roof assembly being utilized and the fireproofing manufacturer must confirm paint / primer adhesion compatibility.
What do I do with painted/primed steel?
The coating must be identified prior to fire protection. Isolatek International has tested a wide array of paints / primers on wide flange beams and columns for compatibility with fireproofing products. A painted / primed beam or column must achieve 80% of the manufacturer's published bond strength on a clean uncoated 1/8 inch thick plate when tested in accordance with ASTM E736; the beam flange must not exceed 12 inches; the column flange must not exceed 16 inches; and the beams and column web must not exceed 16 inches. If the painted/primed members do not meet all of the above conditions, mechanical reinforcement (metal lath, steel studs) must be fastened to the substrate prior to fire protection.
How long does it take for the material to dry?
Depending upon thicknesses, environmental conditions (i.e. temperature, air-flow, moisture, etc.), the period required for Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Materials (SFRMs) to fully cure is 14 to 28 days or more.
Adequate ventilation must be provided, particularly when spraying in enclosed areas such as basements, stairwells, shafts and small rooms. A minimum of 4 complete air exchanges per hour is required until the material is dry.
What are patching / repair procedures?
When spray-applied fireproofing has been damaged or removed it may be repaired by spraying or hand troweling freshly mixed product to the affected areas. The maximum area that can be patched by hand troweling is 1 sq. ft.
Do your products contain asbestos?
All products manufactured by Isolatek International contain no detectable asbestos. Ensure that all fire protection material suppliers provide independent test verification per EPA/600/R-93/116.
Where should I use a commercial density material?
Commercial density materials are specified within the American Institute of Architects (AIA) MasterSpec-Section 07811 for concealed applications of Sprayed Fire Resistive Materials (i.e. above ceilings, behind walls, elevator shafts, etc.).
What is an intumescent coating?
Intumescent Fire Resistance Coatings are paint-like coatings that expand and char in a fire to insulate structural steel for up to 4-hours.
Thin Film Intumescent Coatings give Architects the ability to design using structural steel that can be decorative and aesthetically pleasing. Intumescent Coatings can be top coated to match their surroundings and allow steel to be left exposed to view while providing the necessary fire resistance ratings.
What is a Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Material (SFRM)?
In the past, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) defined product classifications as "Cementitious Mixtures" or "Sprayed Fiber" materials. These product classifications have been withdrawn and combined to form a new single product classification called Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Material (SFRM).
The term "cementitious" often misleads design professionals to believe that the product contains cement, when in fact, most commercial density fireproofing products called "cementitious" do not. Ironically, most of the materials that were included in the "Sprayed Fiber" category, actually do contain cement.
International Code Council-Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) does technical evaluations of building products, components, methods and materials. The result of the evaluation process is the issuance of a report on code compliance. These reports are made public free of charge to contractors, specifiers, architects, engineers and other professionals with an interest in the building industry and construction.
The ICC-ES evaluation reports provide evidence that the products and systems meet code requirements. These reports insure code compliance, simplify the code approval process and may help to alleviate the liability burden on the local authority having jurisdiction to review and approve the submitted fire protection materials.
The official website of ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. is www.icc-es.org
What are industry standard temperature requirements?
It is an industry standard for Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Materials (SFRMs) that the temperature at the job site must be greater than 40°F (4°C). A minimum substrate and ambient temperature of 40°F (4°C) shall be maintained prior to, during, and for a minimum of 24 hours after the application.
For Intumescent Coatings, the minimum ambient temperature must be between 50°F (10°C) and 100°F (38°C). A minimum substrate and ambient temperature of 50° (10°C) shall be maintained prior to, during and a minimum of 72 hours after application.
If necessary, tarp enclosures and temporary heat may be utilized to maintain the proper temperature and humidity levels in the application areas. These are the standards called out and accepted by the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries - International (AWCI) as well as The National Fireproofing Contractors Association (NFCA).
How do I determine thickness?
Thickness of the fire protection material is dependent upon the assembly in which it is being applied. The following basic information is required for the estimator to determine the proper Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) assembly:
- Type of deck and depth of metal deck
- Type of topping on deck (i.e. concrete or insulation type and thickness)
- Beam sizes supporting deck
- Type of column and column sizes
When is a sealer required?
In areas where there is expected to be a greater than normal amount of air movement such as elevator shafts or areas adjacent to exhaust fans, it is recommended that an approved sealer be applied. Otherwise, a sealer or topcoat is considered optional, as we do not require a sealer in maintaining the fire rating or physical properties of the SFRM.
Can fireproofing products be painted?
When applying paint as a top coat or color coat over a product, it is required that the paint be non-bridging water-based latex. The paint should be applied over the material with the minimum amount required so as to avoid saturating the material. UL has approved this application of painting SFRMs and confirms that it will not adversely affect the fire resistance rating.
What do I do if my roof deck is painted?
If a steel deck is to be painted/primed, it must be listed in the specified Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) Design as a classified painted deck for the particular fire protection product and certified for fire test compatibility by the deck manufacturer for the exact deck designation.
The deck manufacturer must provide written confirmation that the paint / primer and the deck supplied to the project are those which are classified by UL. In addition, the deck must be listed in the UL roof assembly being utilized and the fireproofing manufacturer must confirm paint / primer adhesion compatibility.
What do I do with painted/primed steel?
The coating must be identified prior to fire protection. Isolatek International has tested a wide array of paints / primers on wide flange beams and columns for compatibility with fireproofing products. A painted / primed beam or column must achieve 80% of the manufacturer's published bond strength on a clean uncoated 1/8 inch thick plate when tested in accordance with ASTM E736; the beam flange must not exceed 12 inches; the column flange must not exceed 16 inches; and the beams and column web must not exceed 16 inches. If the painted/primed members do not meet all of the above conditions, mechanical reinforcement (metal lath, steel studs) must be fastened to the substrate prior to fire protection.
How long does it take for the material to dry?
Depending upon thicknesses, environmental conditions (i.e. temperature, air-flow, moisture, etc.), the period required for Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Materials (SFRMs) to fully cure is 14 to 28 days or more.
Adequate ventilation must be provided, particularly when spraying in enclosed areas such as basements, stairwells, shafts and small rooms. A minimum of 4 complete air exchanges per hour is required until the material is dry.
What are patching / repair procedures?
When spray-applied fireproofing has been damaged or removed it may be repaired by spraying or hand troweling freshly mixed product to the affected areas. The maximum area that can be patched by hand troweling is 1 sq. ft.
Do your products contain asbestos?
All products manufactured by Isolatek International contain no detectable asbestos. Ensure that all fire protection material suppliers provide independent test verification per EPA/600/R-93/116.
Where should I use a commercial density material?
Commercial density materials are specified within the American Institute of Architects (AIA) MasterSpec-Section 07811 for concealed applications of Sprayed Fire Resistive Materials (i.e. above ceilings, behind walls, elevator shafts, etc.).
What is an intumescent coating?
Intumescent Fire Resistance Coatings are paint-like coatings that expand and char in a fire to insulate structural steel for up to 4-hours.
Thin Film Intumescent Coatings give Architects the ability to design using structural steel that can be decorative and aesthetically pleasing. Intumescent Coatings can be top coated to match their surroundings and allow steel to be left exposed to view while providing the necessary fire resistance ratings.
What is a Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Material (SFRM)?
In the past, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) defined product classifications as "Cementitious Mixtures" or "Sprayed Fiber" materials. These product classifications have been withdrawn and combined to form a new single product classification called Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Material (SFRM).
The term "cementitious" often misleads design professionals to believe that the product contains cement, when in fact, most commercial density fireproofing products called "cementitious" do not. Ironically, most of the materials that were included in the "Sprayed Fiber" category, actually do contain cement.
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