Design & Build

Passing Building and Fire Codes:

Fireproofing has been used in construction related industries for decades. From design and build phases through daily operation, these products play an important role in achieving successful fire code approvals, enabling a wide variety of materials to be utilized in builds, meeting LEED initiatives, and maintaining personnel and public safety.

Common Problem Areas:

• Cementitious replacement, repair and patching
• Achieving fire rating following asbestos-abatement
• Designing 1- or 2-hour separation wall, floor, ceiling assemblies
• Upgrading the fire rating in existing building
• Engineered lumber (Truss, Joist, I-Beam (Open & OSB web)) – insurance and fire liability
• Exposed floor/ceilings
• Any wood, steel, or concrete that must be fire rated

Each of these scenarios are difficult problems to solve; however, new developments (and time-tested traditional methods) in fireproofing deliver great success and beautiful results.

Non-fireproofing solutions are messy, expensive, time-intensive, and either unsuccessful or short-term fixes…

• Install drywall and/or mineral wool
• Demo/Rebuild
• Install Active Fire Prevention Systems

Passive Protection, Inc. solutions:

• 1-hour, 2-hour, or Class A fire ratings- UL & accredited lab test designs
• Cementitious or gypsum fireproofing
• Formally recognized Flame Certificates/Affidavits
• ICC-certified application, inspection, and results
• Non-toxic and eco-friendly
• Quick and clean application
• Aesthetically-pleasing finish
• Long-lasting durability
• Load and space reduction
• Cost and time savings
• Address difficult existing materials, limited-access spaces, occupied and operational locations…

Fireproofing has seen an enormous amount of R&D effort over the last decade. Environmental and health concerns, stricter building and fire codes, detrimental interactions with other materials (i.e. metal hangers), etc. forced manufacturers to formulate products which excelled in their performance while being cognizant of the negative effects of their legacy products. The result is a broad range of products that, when applied and maintained properly, provide exceptional performance in any setting.

When utilizing these products, Passive Protection considers multiple factors (outside of the chemistry) in designing a truly comprehensive solution:

Direct Factors

Indirect Factors

Page Jumps:

• Design & Build Application Table
• Passive Protection, Inc. Services Table

Where this impacts your project…

Fireproofing and flame retardant treatments are only of value if they save time and/or money.  These benefits are realized at many stages (design through operation), substrates range from rough lumber through delicate textile finishes, products may be transparent, colored or opaque – the combinations are difficult to summarize.

As a quick reference, click for a summary of materials to which fireproofing applications:

CSI Divisions

Value to your project…

Whether part of the initial programmatic and conceptual budget, or as a design and engineering equivalency, passive fireproofing solutions offer a value-added alternative to project teams at all stages.

Project Benefits

• Use conventional lumber, fabric, materials
• Eliminate cut-off excess, scrap, or waste expense
• NO special site-storage requirements vs. factory treated materials
• Omit sprinklers in concealed spaces with fire-resistant construction
• Complete coverage – one treatment for cut ends, rips, holes, surfacing, etc.

Converting Specs to Value Propositions…

The Return on Investment (ROI) and cost justification will will vary for each engagement depending specific project details.  Example reduction scenarios include:

• 25% savings vs. Sprinkler Installation in concealed spaces (per NFPA 13)
  • Indirect benefits: avoid accidental activation, compressor failure/power outage, water damage risks

• 40-80% savings vs. Inherently Flame Resistance Textiles
  • Indirect benefits: IFR may still fail tests, difficult to maintain and retain fire-rating

• 5-15% savings vs. Pressure Treated FR wood
  • Indirect benefits: avoid toxic chemicals, FRT wood incurs substantial structural damage to resist fire

• 75% less downtime and labor on retrofit, renovate, reclassify occupancy
  • Indirect benefits: minimal demolition, waste removal, decreased load, decreased materials/sf. to achieve hourly fire rating

Fireproofing Application Table

Passive Protection, Inc. Services