ICC 86 SFRM Inspector study guide
ICC 86 SFRM Inspector · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ICC 86 SFRM Inspector credential is a certification for people who verify spray-applied fire-resistive materials on structural steel. SFRM is the wet- or dry-mixed coating sprayed onto beams, columns, and decking to buy time before steel reaches the temperature at which it loses strength. The ICC 86 SFRM Inspector study guide has 8 sections and about 2,345 words.
01Codes, standards, and referenced documents applicable to SFRM inspection
The SFRM inspector works down a chain of documents: the adopted building code, the referenced ASTM standards, the approved fire-resistance design (often a UL 263/ASTM E119 listing), and the manufacturer's written application instructions. IBC Chapter 17 makes sprayed fire-resistant materials a special-inspection item: Section 1705.14 requires physical and visual checks plus thickness, density, and bond/cohesion verification, and Section 1704.2.5 requires reports to the building official and the design professional.
309 words, about 2 min02SFRM materials, types, and fire-resistance principles
SFRM is a spray-applied cementitious, gypsum, or mineral-fiber coating that thermally insulates structural steel. In a fire, bare steel heats quickly and loses strength near 1,000–1,200°F; the SFRM slows heat transfer so the member stays below its critical temperature for the rated time.
318 words, about 2 min03Substrate preparation, surface conditions, and environmental requirements
SFRM bonds mechanically and chemically to the substrate, so the surface must be clean, dry, and sound. Steel must be free of oil, grease, dirt, loose mill scale, loose rust, weld spatter, and form-release agents.
303 words, about 2 min04Application methods, equipment, and installation procedures
Typical SFRM equipment is a paddle mixer, a positive-displacement or piston pump, a hose, and a spray nozzle with an air supply and water source. The inspector confirms the pump and nozzle are suited to the product, the hose length and diameter are within the manufacturer's limits, and gauges are working.
290 words, about 1 min05Thickness and density measurement, verification, and sampling
ASTM E605 uses a thickness gauge with pins that penetrate the SFRM to the substrate. Measurements are taken perpendicular to the steel at random, representative locations, and the gauge reading is the distance from the outer surface to the substrate.
283 words, about 1 min06Adhesion, cohesion, and bond testing
ASTM E736 measures the tensile stress needed to pull SFRM away from the steel. diameter core is cut through the material to the substrate, a loading fixture is bonded to the surface, the adhesive is allowed to cure, and a calibrated pull-off device applies tension.
298 words, about 1 min07Inspection documentation, reporting, and records
The inspector's daily report is the evidence that the installed SFRM matches the approved design. Record project and location, date and weather, product name and batch/lot, substrate condition and preparation, environmental readings, application method and number of passes, areas covered, test locations and results, nonconformances, instructions given, and photos with scale and location.
265 words, about 1 min08Defects, repairs, and corrective actions
Common SFRM defects include thin areas, low density from over-watering or dry spray, delamination, cracking, sloughing, voids at welds or connections, damage from other trades, and water or freeze damage. Each has a cause: surface contamination, wrong temperature, excessive pass thickness, poor mixing, or physical abuse.
279 words, about 1 min