Fireproofing
Fully Certified and Trained to Meet all your Fireproofing Needs
Fireproofing materials, including intumescent coatings, cementitious sprays and fire-resistant boards, are designed to insulate steel, concrete and other key building elements from the intense heat of a fire.
Fireproofing helps prevent premature structural failure or collapse by slowing the rate at which these materials heat up.
Fireproofing is commonly used in commercial buildings, industrial plants and infrastructure projects. Building codes and safety regulations often require it as part of an overall fire protection strategy.
The different fireproofing systems
Cementitious
Cementitious fireproofing is a spray- or trowel-applied passive fire protection system made from a blend of cement, gypsum, vermiculite or perlite mixed with water and additives. This thick, plaster-like material forms a durable, fire-resistant coating on the critical building elements.
Intumescent
Intumescent fireproofing is an advanced passive fire protection solution. This specialized coating expands rapidly when exposed to high temperatures, forming a thick, insulating char layer that shields steel, wood and other structural elements from fire damage.
Mineral Board
Mineral fiber board fireproofing uses rigid, pre-formed boards made from non-combustible mineral wool or stone wool fibers. These dense, durable panels, which are engineered from basalt rock, slag and other minerals, are spun into fibers and compressed with binders.
Which Fireproofing System Meets My Needs?
Several different types of fireproofing systems exist. The table below compares intumescent, cementitious and mineral boards.
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Fireproofing System Comparison Chart |
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| Feature / Attribute |
Mineral Fiber Board |
Cementitious Fireproofing |
Intumescent Coating |
| Fire Resistance | 1–4 hours (UL tested) | 1–4 hours (UL tested) | 1–4 hours (UL tested) |
| Material Type | Pre-formed mineral wool boards | Spray-applied cementitious mix (gypsum, perlite, etc.) | Thin-film paint that expands when exposed to heat |
| Combustibility | Non-combustible | Non-combustible | Non-combustible but chars under heat |
| Durability | High impact resistance; moisture and vibration tolerant | Can be fragile; susceptible to cracking and damage | Moderate-High durability; protected finishes may be required |
| Aesthetic Finish | Rough industrial look; typically concealed | Rough, spongy texture; not suitable for exposed areas | Smooth, paint-like; ideal for exposed structural steel |
| Installation Method | Cut and fit; mechanically fastened or adhered | Sprayed on; may need containment and curing time | Sprayed or brushed on; requires surface prep and primers |
| Ease of Repair | Simple to remove/replace boards | Patchable, but requires specialized materials | More difficult; may require recoating entire section |
| Moisture Resistance | Excellent (especially for exterior or damp environments) | Poor unless sealed or high-density | Good (water based) – Very good (epoxy) |
| Initial Cost | Moderate | Low to moderate | High |
| Application Areas | Mechanical rooms, shafts, steel encasement | Parking garages, structural steel, concrete decks | Exposed beams, aesthetic projects, retrofits |
| Best For | Industrial and mechanical environments | Large coverage at low cost | Architecturally exposed steel (AESS); clean interiors |
Leaders in the Fireproofing Industry
Regardless of the size and scale of your construction project, the Superior Industrial Insulation Company is ready to deliver your fireproofing needs.
Our certified fireproofing experts create customized programs for each project to best meet the needs of each client and property. Our intumescent, cementitious and mineral fiber products can be applied to provide the ratings required by code for expansions or can repair areas where fireproofing may have fallen off.
Additional Services
Superior Insulation also offers the following additional services:
- Budgeting
- Firm-Priced Bids
- Engineering and management services
- Design-assist services
- Third-party inspections
- Maintenance contracting
- Project management
- Project supervision
- Training of personnel
- Fireproofing consulting services
- Inspection, Assessment and/or Remediation
- Seminars and training programs for staff and management
- Awareness and hands-on training
Setting Industry Standards
Superior Industrial Insulation is proud to provide third-party inspections, project management, project supervision and maintenance for existing installations and shop/field applications.
We are a National Fireproofing Contractor Association Certified Contractor for both Sprayed
Fire-Resistive Materials (SFRM) and Intumescent Fire-Resistive Materials (IFRM).