ICC 86 SFRM Inspector key terms

A cementitious, gypsum-based, or fibrous coating sprayed onto structural steel, decking, or other members to slow heat rise and preserve structural capacity during a fire.

A thin-film coating that swells into a insulating char when heated, used where a slim profile is needed instead of thick sprayed material.

The period, in hours or minutes, that an assembly resists fire exposure under a standard test without exceeding defined temperature or integrity limits.

A designation identifying a tested and listed fire-resistive assembly, specifying the members, material type, and minimum thickness required to achieve the rating.

A drawing, specification, listing, or manufacturer instruction accepted by the authority having jurisdiction as the basis for inspection acceptance decisions.

The official or agency responsible for enforcing code requirements and approving materials, installations, and inspection outcomes on a project.

A published consensus document, such as a test method or specification, that defines procedures and acceptance criteria cited by the building code.

The steel member, deck, or other surface to which fire-resistive material is applied and must bond; its condition directly controls adhesion performance.

Cleaning and treating the substrate before spraying, including removal of oil, mill scale, rust, dust, and loose coatings so the material can bond.

A coating applied to steel before fire-resistive material to improve adhesion or provide corrosion protection, and which must be compatible with the SFRM.

A contaminant, coating, or condition that prevents the fire-resistive material from adhering to the substrate and must be removed before application.

The temperature, humidity, and airflow at the work area during and after spraying, which must stay within manufacturer limits for proper curing and adhesion.

The period during which applied fire-resistive material hardens and develops strength; premature drying or freezing can damage the finished layer.

The specified proportion of dry material to water used when preparing SFRM, which controls density, strength, and fire performance.

The process of pumping mixed fire-resistive material through a hose and projecting it onto the substrate with a nozzle to build the required thickness.

The spray gun tip that shapes and directs the material stream; its size, distance from the work, and angle affect thickness uniformity and density.

The depth of material deposited in a single spray pass; exceeding the limit can cause sagging, poor density, or separation between layers.

A calibrated pin or needle instrument pressed through the fire-resistive material to the substrate to measure applied depth at a test location.

The field procedure of probing the applied material at prescribed locations and recording readings to confirm the required depth is present.

The mean of individual thickness readings at a test area; it must meet or exceed the specified thickness for the assembly to be accepted.

The lowest individual thickness reading permitted at any measured point, typically a stated fraction of the specified thickness, below which repair is required.

The mass per unit volume of hardened fire-resistive material, which relates to its insulating value and is checked by sampling and weighing.

The frequency, defined by code or specification, at which thickness, density, or bond tests are performed across a project area.

The force per unit area required to pull fire-resistive material away from the substrate, indicating how well the material adheres.

A field or laboratory test, often using a pulled disc or patch, that measures the resistance of fire-resistive material to separation from the substrate.

The internal strength holding particles of fire-resistive material together; weak cohesion shows as crumbling or powdery material rather than a clean pull.

Separation of fire-resistive material from the substrate or between applied layers, usually caused by contamination, excess pass thickness, or poor curing.

A non-destructive field check in which the applied material is lightly struck to detect hollow or loose areas that suggest poor bond.

The written record of field observations, measurements, and test results submitted to document compliance and support acceptance by the authority having jurisdiction.

A chronological record of site conditions, material batches, application progress, and observations kept by the inspector throughout the project.

The ability to link installed material back to its batch, mix records, and test results through consistent labeling and documentation.

A documented condition where work or material fails to meet the approved specification, code, or listing and requires correction.

The repair or rework performed to bring deficient fire-resistive material back into compliance, followed by re-inspection and updated records.

Material applied to restore damaged or thin areas to the specified thickness using the same approved product and procedures as the original application.

Harm to fire-resistive material hidden by subsequent construction, such as ducts or ceilings, which must be inspected before concealment.