Services / Fireproofing Contractors
Fireproofing Contractors
Passive fire protection for structural steel — intumescent coatings and cementitious fireproofing specified to the required fire-resistance rating and applied by certified contractors.
Not sure which service you need?
What fireproofing contractors do
Fireproofing contractors apply passive fire protection to structural steel so it retains its load-bearing strength for a rated period (commonly 1–3 hours) in a fire, giving occupants time to evacuate and the structure time to survive. The work is specified to a tested UL assembly and verified by thickness inspection — the applicator's QA is what makes the rating real.
Entity note: passive fire protection is built into the structure (unlike active systems such as sprinklers); DFT = dry film thickness; IBC = International Building Code; UL assemblies are the tested product-and-thickness combinations that carry a rating.
Types of fireproofing — the IG table
The choice is between two systems. This comparison helps you choose, not just identify them:
| Intumescent | Cementitious | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Thin reactive coating (mm-scale) | Thick sprayed cement/gypsum |
| Best for | Exposed / architectural steel | Concealed steel |
| Finish | Smooth, paintable | Rough, hidden |
| Relative cost | Higher per sq ft | Lower per sq ft |
| Exposure | Interior + exterior grades | Mostly interior |
| Application speed | Slower (multi-coat + inspection) | Faster (spray large areas) |
Background on how intumescent works: see our guide, what is intumescent coating.
Where it's required
The IBC requires fire-resistance ratings for structural steel based on building type, height and occupancy — in commercial, industrial, high-rise and assembly buildings. Your project's rating (e.g. 1-hour columns, 2-hour) is set by code and the structural design.
How to choose a contractor
- Experience with UL-tested systems matching your required rating.
- Thickness inspection capability (DFT for intumescent; density/thickness for cementitious).
- Relevant project history for your building type.
- Coordination with the general contractor and inspector on the rating documentation.
Get a quote
Tell us the structure, required fire rating and metro; we route your request to a vetted fireproofing contractor. See also structural steel coating for corrosion protection of the same steel.
Common questions
What is fireproofing?
What is fireproofing in construction?
What is cementitious fireproofing?
What is SFRM fireproofing?
How does fireproofing work?
How much does fireproofing cost?
Intumescent vs cementitious — which should I choose?
Is fireproofing required by code?
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Get matched for Fireproofing Contractors
Tell us your metro and asset — we route your request to a vetted contractor.