Fire Proofing for Commercial Buildings: What You Need to Know

Fire protection is a critical aspect of commercial building safety and code compliance. Intumescent coatings and specialized products from manufacturers like Prosoco provide essential fire resistance for structural elements. Here's what building owners and managers need to know.

What Are Intumescent Coatings?

Intumescent coatings are thin-film fire protection products that look like regular paint under normal conditions. When exposed to high temperatures (typically above 250°C), they expand up to 50 times their original thickness, forming an insulating char layer that protects the underlying structure.

Why Fire Proofing Matters

Building codes require specific fire ratings for structural elements in commercial buildings. Steel beams, columns, and connections must maintain their structural integrity for a specified duration during a fire—typically 1-3 hours depending on building type and occupancy.

Prosoco Products

Prosoco is a leading manufacturer of building protection products. Their line includes fire-resistive coatings, sealers, and specialty products designed for commercial and institutional buildings. As a certified Prosoco applicator, Property Doctor ensures proper product selection and application.

Application Process

Intumescent coating application requires careful surface preparation, precise thickness control, and proper curing conditions. Our certified applicators use calibrated equipment to ensure uniform coverage that meets specified dry film thickness requirements.

Inspection and Maintenance

Fire-proofing coatings should be inspected periodically, especially after construction activities, renovations, or any event that might damage the coating. Damaged areas must be repaired promptly to maintain the fire rating.

Code Requirements

International Building Code (IBC) and local amendments specify fire-resistance requirements based on building type, height, area, and occupancy classification. Property Doctor's team reviews code requirements as part of every project to ensure full compliance.

Contact Property Doctor at 805-403-8727 for a fire-proofing assessment and estimate.