Structural steel does not fail by melting during a fire but by losing load-bearing capacity. SFRM thickness depends on the required fire rating, member type, and the W/D ratio of each steel section. Estimates that apply a uniform thickness without reviewing UL assemblies are rarely accurate.
Fireproofing Estimating Services Built Around UL Assemblies and Fire Ratings
Surface area alone is not enough for accurate fireproofing estimates. Fire rating requirements for each structural member determine SFRM thickness, which directly impacts material costs. Our fireproofing estimating services deliver UL-compliant, member-by-member cost breakdowns to provide specification-accurate numbers before bidding begins.
Where Fireproofing Bids Break Down
Why Fireproofing Estimates Without UL Assembly Compliance Are Always Wrong
We've Got You Covered
What's Included in Our Fireproofing Estimating Services
Industry-standard Tools
Tools We Use for Fireproofing Estimating
- PlanSwift
- Bluebeam Revu
- On-Screen Takeoff (OST)
- RSMeans Fireproofing Cost Data
- Microsoft Excel
- STACK Estimating
- Autodesk Revit
- UL Fire Resistance Directory
- Sage Estimating
- ProEst
Every Fireproofing Project Type
Who We Work With
Our fireproofing estimating services support every contractor and owner who needs UL-assembly-compliant, member-accurate passive fire protection cost data.
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From Structural Drawings to Code-Compliant Bid Numbers
How Our Process Works
We handle every UL assembly, hourly rating, and application thickness so your fireproofing bid goes out complete and stays that way through procurement.
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01
Submit Plans
Upload your drawings and project documents.
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02
Review Scope
We analyze every detail of your project scope using industry-standard tools, ensuring nothing is missed
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03
Cost Estimate
We build a precise, itemized estimate covering all materials, labor, and trade-specific costs.
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04
Bid-Ready Delivery
Your completed estimate lands in your inbox.
What Our Clients Say
Douglas Bennett
We hired Federal Estimating for fireproofing estimating on a mid-rise commercial project, and the quality of the estimate was exceptional. The report included detailed quantities for spray-applied fireproofing, intumescent coatings, and related materials. Their understanding of fireproofing assemblies and project specifications gave us confidence in our bid numbers. The turnaround was quick, and communication was excellent throughout the process.
Christine Foster
Federal Estimating prepared a fireproofing estimate for our distribution center project, and we were extremely satisfied with the results. The estimate was accurate, well organized, and clearly identified structural members requiring fire protection. Their detailed breakdown helped us plan labor and material costs more effectively while reducing the risk of scope gaps. We look forward to working with them again.
Eric Sullivan
Our specialty contracting firm needed a reliable fireproofing estimate for a hospital expansion project with strict bidding requirements. Federal Estimating delivered a comprehensive takeoff that aligned closely with the project drawings and specifications. Their attention to detail and knowledge of passive fire protection systems saved our team significant time during bid preparation. We highly recommend their fireproofing estimating services.
Customer's Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Fireproofing estimating fees are based on structural complexity, number of fire-resistance rating zones, fireproofing system type, and required turnaround. SFRM estimates for straightforward single-rating commercial structures typically start at $300 to $600. Full fireproofing packages covering SFRM, intumescent coatings, firestopping, and repair scope on mid-sized commercial projects range from $700 to $2,000. Industrial cementitious fireproofing and complex multi-rating high-rise estimates are quoted individually after reviewing your structural drawings and fire-resistance schedule. We provide a fixed price before any work begins.
Spray-applied fire-resistive material is a cementitious or fibrous product applied wet to structural steel that cures into a thick, thermally insulating layer used primarily for concealed steel where appearance isn't a design consideration. Intumescent fireproofing is a thin-film coating that expands dramatically when exposed to fire heat, forming an insulating char layer that protects the steel substrate used where structural steel is architecturally exposed, and the rough texture of SFRM is unacceptable. Both achieve fire-resistance ratings per ASTM E119 and UL 263, but they carry completely different material costs, labor productivity rates, and surface preparation requirements.
Fire-resistance ratings, one hour, two hours, three hours, or four hours- determine the required SFRM thickness for each structural member type, and the thickness determines material volume. Required thickness varies by fire-resistance rating, the specific UL design assembly applicable to your structural system, and the W/D ratio of each steel section, the ratio of the member's weight per linear foot to its heated perimeter. A higher W/D ratio means the steel heats more slowly and requires less SFRM than a lower W/D section at the same fire rating. Our estimates calculate SFRM thickness member by member using your structural schedule and UL design assembly data, never applying a single average thickness across dissimilar steel sections.