Cold Weather Fireproofing Tip

Winter is approaching and everyone is cold and wet. Heating costs are out of sight and containment is under a constant state of repair. Everyone is frustrated. Why is heating for the fireproofer so important?, Why before?, and Why after?

On any given night it might be 10 or 15 degrees outside and any exposed steel with get to be that temperature throughout its mass. By 7 or 8 AM the next day, when spraying begins that first microscopic layer of water will flash freeze, perhaps in a second or two. As a result of the flash freeze no bonding will take place and when it does warm up that afternoon, the next week, or the next month the spray applied material will fall off. If the newly exposed material is as smooth as a baby’s behind you know that freezing has occurred and the application is critical compromised. Remove, prep the surface, and spray it again; is your only option.

If the material is sprayed and for some reason the temporary heating systems has failed the newly sprayed material, again in cold temperatures, will begin to freeze from the outside toward the inner steel. Depending on the temperatures and the time the freezing may occur on the outer surface. It may occur half way through the application. It might freeze through the entire thickness! To check for freezing, break off a piece and you very well may see small ice crystals with the fireproofing. When thawed the material will appear “punky” and most likely will fail a pull tests. The cure is to remove, prep the substrate, and spray it again.