In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire burned a third of the city, killed 300 people, and reportedly left 90,000 people homeless. Forty years earlier, the New York Fire of 1835 destroyed 17 city blocks and even set the East River aflame when turpentine leaked into the water. 200 years before that, The Great Fire of London wreaked havoc during the years of the bubonic plague, turning 13,000 homes to ash and leaving their 100,00 collective residents without homes. 

The massive scale of destruction caused by these fires and many others over human history has ultimately led to the creation and regulation of modern fireproofing methods for residential, industrial, and commercial buildings.

For industrial and commercial buildings, where sites of commerce must be protected along with inventory and human capital, a variety of international, federal, state, and local laws and building codes govern the regulatory standards for fireproofing. 

Why Fireproofing Matters

As highlighted by the historical disasters above, fireproofing matters. At their most basic level, industrial and commercial fireproofing methods protect against loss of life and property. Even if lives aren’t directly lost to a fire, replacing lost property is expensive, and witnessing a traumatic event can cause lasting negative impacts to a person’s psyche. Because of this, legal compliance exists for protection. Adhering to fireproofing regulations not only protects life and property, but also reduces legal liability, such as charges related to professional negligence or wrongful death. When adequate fireproofing is established in industrial and commercial properties, this also reduces the potential cost for insurance claims or post-disaster restorations.

Common Fire Hazards in Commercial & Industrial Buildings

The regulations set by the International Building Code protect against many common fire hazards in commercial and industrial buildings. Faults in electric wiring can be a major fire hazard, so it’s important to utilize fire-resistant cables and fire-rated enclosures. Similarly, heating and ventilation systems can cause hazards. The dangers of electrical and HVAC fires can be compounded when surrounded by combustible building materials. Wood-frame and timber materials are the most combustible construction types, whether the entire structure is made of wood, or whether the wood frame is surrounded by other materials, like brick.

Even if proper building materials are used, electrical wiring is protected, and HVAC systems are built up to code, it is essential to consider the fire hazards of items brought into the building, such as chemicals. Improper storage and processing of chemicals can be major hazards in commercial and industrial environments. Protections against these types of hazards are governed in the United States by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

Choosing the Right Fireproofing Method

Fireproofing commercial and industrial buildings is essential, and there are many different methods to choose from. The choice will be dictated by a variety of factors, such as the building type and structural integrity of the building, the project budget, fire ratings required by building codes, and even aesthetics.

Types of Fireproofing Methods

Spray-Applied Fireproofing

Spray-applied fireproofing is a common method of fireproofing. Historically, asbestos has been used in this way, or pressed into sheets. When the toxic qualities of asbestos became known, fireproofing materials transitioned into coatings made of gypsum or cement, also known as cementitious coatings.

Spray-applied fireproofing has many advantages, such as ease of application, and versatility. Cementitious coatings can be applied quickly and evenly over a wide variety of surfaces: steel beams and columns, concrete structures, and wood frames. Spray coatings also tend to be cost-effective, particularly for large-scale applications or when fireproofing improvements need to be made to an existing structure..

The disadvantages of spray-applied fireproofing stem from those same advantages. The ease of application means spray-applied coatings are also subject to degradation over time from physical and chemical damage. Aesthetically, sprayed coatings are also rather limited. They can be painted to match an interior or exterior surface; however, the texture cannot be altered beyond a rough, stucco-like surface.

Intumescent Paint

Intumescent paint is a liquid coating specifically formulated to fireproof building surfaces. It is made of chemical components that automatically expand at temperatures around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. As it expands, it creates a carbon-rich foam, which provides a thick layer of protective material that delays heat transfer to the underlying building materials underneath. 

This unique function of intumescent paint gives it high versatility in many environments. Because this coating applies like a paint, it has the ability to match many different interior surfaces, so it can be used on architectural surfaces that will remain visible. Beyond the aesthetic quality of the paint, intumescent paint is an important form of protection for steel construction. Despite steel’s overall strength and durability, it is susceptible to heat, so having a protective layer can prevent premature structural collapse during a fire.

Fire-Resistant Insulation

Because commercial buildings are often used for industrial processes that generate high temperatures, proper insulation is key, not only to decrease energy consumption but also to provide safety measures in case of fire. The three most common types of insulation are mineral wool, ceramic fiber, and fiberglass:

Fiberglass is the most common option used to insulate walls in industrial construction due to its availability and affordability. It is created by weaving thin strands of glass into tight patterns, and as long as it isn’t covered in paper, can withstand temperatures up to 220 degree fahrenheit. 

Mineral wool is a fiber made from materials like silica (glass) or basalt (stone), which are heated until a molten liquid, and then spun into fibers. Similar to fiberglass insulation, these fibers are then formed into insulative products. Unlike fiberglass, mineral wool has more flexibility and higher heat resistance. Rather than coming in only sheets, batting, or rolls, mineral wool can also be formed into pipe sections, molded to fit ducts, or left in granular form. Glass mineral wool melts around 600 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas stone mineral wool withstands temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Mineral wool has natural sound-dampening qualities, so it is a popular insulation choice for industries that generate high noise levels, as mineral wool can help to meet OSHA standards for safe noise levels in a work environment.

A fire-proof insulation for very specific use cases is ceramic insulation. Ceramic insulation has the highest temperature rating, able to withstand temperatures greater than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it perfect for use in commercial buildings in the steel, foundry, or power industries, which generate massive amounts of heat. Although it can be used to insulate exterior walls and ceilings, due to the cost, ceramic insulation is more often used to line kilns, boilers, furnaces, electric turbines, refractory boxes, and other environments that generate high levels of heat.

Concrete and Masonry Fireproofing

Concrete and masonry have inherent fireproof qualities, due to their low combustibility and thermal conductivity. In addition, concrete structures can withstand high temperatures and pressures better than other materials, making them a safe choice when extra fire protection is needed. 

Concrete and masonry are often used in firewalls, barriers, and exterior walls. 

Although already fairly fire-resistant, concrete and masonry structures can benefit from additional fireproofing like intumescent coatings or board systems. This can increase the level of safety in your building, adhere to stricter fire codes, and meet the needs of buildings with high fire hazards. This would include buildings that house combustible materials, buildings in high risk areas.

Fireproof Boards and Panels

Fireproof boards and panels are commonly used to provide additional fireproofing protection for underlying structures. Gypsum-based drywall or sheetrock is commonly used for the wall-coverings of wood-frame houses. These panels and similar fireproof materials can withstand temperatures up to 1,200 ℃ for multiple hours in order to slow the rate of damage to the underlying structure; although eventually the materials will break down. Here are more details about different materials, their fire resistance qualities, and best applications:

Type	Fire Resistance	Common Application
Calcium Silicate	Up to 1,200 ℃	Steel structures, industrial equipment, fire barriers
Mineral Core	Time: 1 to 4 hours	Walls, ceilings, structural columns
Gypsum	Up to 1,000 ℃	Drywalls, interior partitions
Vermiculite	Up to 1,200 ℃	High-temperature industrial applications
Rock Wool	Up to 1,200 ℃	Steel fireproofing, industrial applications
Perlite	Up to 1,200 ℃	Industrial and commercial fireproofing
Fiberglass	Time: Up to 2 hours	Structural steel, piping, and equipment protection
Cementitious	Time: Up to 4 hours	High-rise buildings, industrial applications

Compliance and Standards Overview

Complying with these regulations enhances safety and ensures property protection, starting with the International Building Code (IBC), which determines fire-resistance ratings, construction methods, and fire protection systems. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) enhances the IBC by providing thorough standards for testing the fire-proofing capabilities of building methods to ensure use of the safest technologies. Building materials themselves are rated by the Underwriters Laboratory Standards (UL) for their levels of fire resistance. Combined, these systems work together to ensure the safety of occupants, protection of property, and mitigation of damage in case a fire does occur.

Many different regulating bodies and organizations have safety standards that include fireproofing. Here are the most common ones you’ll need to know and adhere to: 

National Fire Protection Association 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops codes specifically for fireproofing construction. The NFPA focuses on codes for construction projects and industrial settings, ensuring methods for building, testing, and other standards for fire protection, including materials and coating, are consistent. 

These codes are often adopted into building regulations and are enforceable at a local level. 

Some common codes are:

• NFPA 703, which regulates standards for fire-retardant wood and coatings
• NFPA 251, which details methods for testing building construction and materials 
• NFPA 5000, which is the NFPA’s own building code that aligns closely with the IBC  

International Building Code 

The International Building Code (IBC) is the primary building code used throughout the US to regulate and ensure building safety. Within the IBC, Chapter 7 focuses specifically on fire and smoke protection. 

The IBC mandates fire-resistance requirements based on the occupancy and use of the building. It also mandates firestopping, fire barriers, and protective treatments for materials that are not inherently fire-resistant. Enforcement of IBC provisions is typically carried out by local building code officials, making compliance critical for project approvals and occupancy permits.

Underwriters Laboratory 

The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) is a global certification company that develops standards and conducts product testing to ensure safety, performance, and regulatory compliance. UL is one of the most recognized organizations for testing products, especially in areas related to electrical safety, fire protection, and building materials. UL does not enforce laws or codes, but its certifications and listings are often required or referenced in building codes like the IBC and NFPA standards.

UL 263, also known as “Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.” This standard is functionally similar to ASTM E119 and is used to test the fire-resistance ratings of walls, floors, ceilings, beams, and columns. UL also maintains a Fire Resistance Directory, listing products (like firestop systems, fire-resistant doors, and fireproof coatings) that have passed UL testing.

American Society for Testing and Materials

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) sets the benchmark for evaluating the fire resistance of materials and building assemblies. The most prominent standard is ASTM E119, which outlines test methods to determine how long a building element (such as a wall, floor, or column) can contain a fire, maintain structural integrity, and prevent heat transfer. This is referred to as a fire-resistance rating, expressed in hours. 

ASTM classifications help architects and engineers select materials that meet required performance levels for different types of construction. For example, spray-applied fire-resistive materials (SFRMs) and intumescent coatings are tested under ASTM E119 to verify how well they protect steel structures. These classifications form the basis for compliance with IBC, NFPA, and other building codes, making them essential for both design and regulatory approval.

Learn More About Fireproofing for Your Project

Oaks Brothers Inc is an experienced fireproofing contractor with many public and commercial projects in our company history. We recently completed a fireproofing project at the Fayetteville Public Library, a building that’s nearly 200,000 square feet in size that contains a teaching kitchen in addition to other community resources. 

Oaks Brothers incorporated sprayed fireproofing into their building due to the design and materials used, plus the higher-than-average risk of fire that comes along with kitchen facilities in the space. You can see the result of our fireproofing contracting services here. 

If you have a commercial or industrial project that requires fireproofing, reach out to Oaks Brothers Inc for our expertise and evaluation of your project. We offer free assessments and can help you choose the best fireproofing methods for your building. Get in touch today.