Division 07, Fireproofing

Fireproofing Estimating Services for SFRM, Intumescent & Firestopping

Fireproofing isn't priced by floor area. It's priced by the surface area of each steel member, at a thickness that depends on the member's size, the required rating, and the tested assembly it has to match. Two beams of the same length can need different amounts of material.

Our fireproofing estimating services take off spray-applied fireproofing, intumescent coatings, and firestopping member by member and penetration by penetration, so the quantities reflect the rated design.

Worker spray-coating structural steel beams
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround
07 81 00SFRM and intumescent
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
ZIP-code pricedLocal material and labor rates
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround

Thickness Depends on the Member

Required fireproofing thickness comes from the tested design (commonly a UL design number) listed on the code or life safety drawings, along with the rating: one hour, two hours, and so on. Within a design, heavier members generally need less thickness than lighter ones because they absorb heat more slowly. The relationship is expressed as a weight-to-perimeter ratio (W/D for beams and columns).

For each member size, we:

  1. 01

    Identify the rating and the tested design

    Identify the rating and the tested design

  2. 02

    Determine the required thickness for that member

    Determine the required thickness for that member

  3. 03

    Calculate the surface area to be covered

    Calculate the surface area to be covered

  4. 04

    Multiply area by thickness to get material volume

    Multiply area by thickness to get material volume

This is more work than applying an average thickness, but it's how manufacturers and inspectors evaluate the job.

Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM)

  • Columns, beams, girders, and joists
  • Metal deck underside, where required by the design
  • Steel braces and transfer members
  • Cementitious and fiber-based products, standard and medium/high density

Takeoffs include surface areas by member size, thickness, and volume, plus allowances for overspray and the patching that follows other trades. Metal estimating →

Intumescent Coatings

Intumescent coatings expand when heated to insulate steel. They're used where steel is exposed architecturally and SFRM would look unacceptable. They cost significantly more per square foot than SFRM, so the estimate separates exposed members from concealed ones.

Quantities include dry film thickness by member and rating, primer compatibility, and topcoat.

Firestopping and Fire-Resistive Joints

Every penetration through a rated wall or floor needs a tested firestop system, and so does every joint between rated assemblies. This scope is easy to underestimate because it's spread across every trade's drawings.

We count:

Through-penetrations

by type (metallic pipe, plastic pipe, insulated pipe, conduit, cable bundles, and ductwork) and by assembly type (gypsum wall, concrete floor)

Head-of-wall joints

where rated walls meet the deck

Perimeter joints

at curtain wall and slab edges

Expansion joints

in rated assemblies

Firestopping is often excluded by MEP subs and by the drywall sub. We flag it so it isn't left out entirely. Thermal and moisture protection →

Who Uses Fireproofing Estimating

  • Fireproofing applicators
  • Firestopping contractors
  • General contractors pricing Division 07
  • Steel fabricators deciding between shop-applied intumescent and field SFRM
Checklist

What to Send

  • Structural drawings and steel schedules
  • Code or life safety plans showing rated assemblies
  • Fireproofing and firestopping specifications
  • Architectural reflected ceiling plans (to identify exposed steel)
  • MEP drawings for penetration counts

Send Your Files

Upload the drawings through our quote form, share a Google Drive or plan-room link, or email them. Large sets travel best as a shared folder.

Upload Your Plans →

Or email info@primeestimation.com.

Plan sheet with a scale ruler laid across it
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
Deliverables

What You Receive

  • Surface areas and material volumes by member size and rating
  • Intumescent quantities by member and dry film thickness
  • Firestop counts by penetration and assembly type
  • Joint system lengths
  • Labor and material pricing
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How is fireproofing thickness determined?

From the tested fire-resistance design and the member size. Heavier members usually need less thickness for the same rating.

Is intumescent paint more expensive than spray fireproofing?

Usually, yes: often considerably. It's chosen when appearance matters.

Do you estimate firestopping?

Yes, by counting penetrations and joints in rated assemblies across all trades' drawings.

What if the UL design isn't on the drawings?

We note the gap and price from the stated rating with assumptions you can confirm with the design team.

Ready to Get Started?

Price Fireproofing Member by Member

Send your structural, code, and MEP drawings. We'll quote the estimate and delivery date.

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