Intumescent Fire Coating for Structural Steel Cost in Toronto & Ontario (2026 MasterFormat 07 81 23 Guide)
When general contractors, structural engineers, and commercial developers across Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Brampton, Hamilton, and Southern Ontario specify intumescent fire coating for structural steel under CSI MasterFormat Section 07 81 23 (Intumescent Fireproofing), accurate square-foot pricing depends on three engineering variables that generic painting contractors almost always miscalculate: the steel section’s W/D ratio (weight-to-heated-perimeter factor), whether the member is tested as restrained or unrestrained under CAN/ULC-S101, and the exact Dry Film Thickness (DFT in mils) required by the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) design listing under 2026 Ontario Building Code Division B Part 3.
As Ontario’s trusted Single-Source Certified Spray Foam & Fire Coating Contractor operating Caliber Certified (CAN/ULC-S705.2 Licensed) Installers and certified structural fireproofing crews, Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. executes everything from urgent 1-to-10 steel beam inspection rescues in custom homes and retail fit-outs to 50,000+ sq ft Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS) commercial packages, cementitious fireproofing (SFRM), and Single-Source Turnkey 2 lb Closed-Cell SPF + 18-Mil DC315 Thermal Barrier Packages (/fire-coating-dc315). Get a $250 Credit on Your Estimate — Check Your Price in 60 Seconds (/price-chat) • No Site Visit Required, or submit your structural steel schedule through our General Contractor & B2B Estimating Desk.
Compare our 3 commercial, institutional, and residential steel fireproofing volume tiers across the GTA & Ontario before checking your exact estimate in 60 seconds:
- 45-Min to 1-Hr CAN/ULC-S101 Thin-Film Intumescent
- Primer Verification + SSPC-PA2 Elcometer DFT Log
- Includes $250 Estimate Credit
- 1-Hr to 2-Hr ULC Design (F900 / D900 / Z600 Series)
- 3,000+ PSI Airless Smooth Architectural Finish
- Full P.Eng. / Inspector Compliance Binder
- Multi-Rig Water-Based or Fast-Cure Epoxy/Solvent Intumescent + Polyurethane Topcoat
- Combined Division 07 SFRM & SPF/DC315 Tender Pricing
2026 Intumescent Fire Coating Cost Per Sq Ft in Toronto & Ontario (45-Min to 3-Hour Steel Ratings)
In 2026, commercial intumescent fire coating on structural steel in Toronto, the GTA, and Ontario costs $5.50 to $18.50+ per square foot of developed steel surface area installed, depending on the required CAN/ULC-S101 fire-resistance rating (45-minute, 1-hour, 1.5-hour, 2-hour, or 3-hour), the steel section’s mass-to-surface ratio (W/D or Hp/A), and whether a decorative polyurethane topcoat is specified for exposed architectural steel:
| CAN/ULC-S101 Fire Rating & Steel Scope | Typical Required Dry Film Thickness (DFT) | 2026 Installed Cost (/sq ft of Steel) | Typical Commercial Project Range | Ontario Building Code & ULC Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45-Minute Structural Steel Rating (Custom Home W-Beams, Mezzanines & Part 9 Retail) | 18 – 38 Mils DFT (0.45 – 0.97 mm) Depending on W/D | $5.50 – $8.25 / sq ft | $2,800 – $16,500 (300–2,000 sq ft steel) | Passes OBC Part 9 / Part 3 45-Min Floor & Beam Assembly |
| 1-Hour Structural Steel Rating (Commercial Columns, Wide-Flange Beams & Joists) | 28 – 68 Mils DFT (0.71 – 1.73 mm) ULC F900 / D900 Series | $6.25 – $11.50 / sq ft | $15,600 – $86,000 (2,500–7,500 sq ft steel) | Most Common OBC Part 3 Commercial 1-Hr Rating |
| 1.5-Hour to 2-Hour Structural Steel Rating (High-Rise Columns, Hospitals, Atriums & Transfer Girders) | 75 – 165 Mils DFT (1.90 – 4.19 mm) Multi-Pass Build | $11.50 – $16.75 / sq ft | $46,000 – $250,000+ (4,000–15,000 sq ft steel) | Passes OBC 3.2.2 High-Building & Institutional 2-Hr Code |
| 3-Hour Heavy Structural & Petrochemical Rating (Epoxy / Hybrid Intumescent on Heavy Columns & Bracing) | 160 – 260+ Mils DFT (4.06 – 6.60+ mm) ULC Z600 / X700 | $15.50 – $22.50+ / sq ft | $77,500 – $450,000+ (5,000–20,000+ sq ft steel) | Maximum 3-Hr CAN/ULC-S101 & Exterior Weather Exposure |
| AESS Architectural Topcoat Upgrade (Urethane / Polysiloxane Colour-Matched Finish Coat) | +2.5 – 4.0 Mils DFT Over Cured Intumescent Basecoat | +$1.35 – $2.65 / sq ft | +$3,500 – $32,000 (RAL / Benjamin Moore Match) | Seals Humidity & Delivers AESS Category 2–4 Smooth Look |
How Structural Steel W/D Ratio (Hp/A Factor) and Required Fire Rating Dictate Dry Film Thickness (DFT Mils)
Unlike ordinary architectural paint that is applied at 3 to 5 mils DFT simply to hide the colour of steel, intumescent fire-resistive materials (IFRM) are engineered thermal shields whose required thickness is governed by structural thermodynamics. Structural steel loses roughly 50% of its load-bearing yield strength when its core temperature reaches 538°C (1,000°F). A slender, lightweight hollow structural section (HSS 152x152x6.4) or light wide-flange beam (W200x27) has a very low W/D ratio (low steel weight W per foot relative to its heated perimeter D in inches), meaning it heats up far faster in a fire than a massive W360x196 column. Consequently, a light W/D = 0.45 beam requiring a 2-hour CAN/ULC-S101 rating can require 135 to 165 mils DFT (3 to 4 airless coats), whereas a heavy W/D = 1.40 column in the exact same room may only require 55 to 75 mils DFT (1 to 2 coats)—changing material consumption by more than 250%.
2026 Worked Commercial & AESS Steel Examples (Custom Home / Retail I-Beams vs. Mid-Rise Atrium Steel vs. Industrial Truss Package)
To help general contractors, quantity surveyors, and building owners budget accurately before submitting structural drawings, here are three real-world 2026 worked estimates comparing thin-film intumescent steel fireproofing against traditional multi-layer 5/8" Type X gypsum drywall boxing:
| Worked Structural Steel Project Scope | Developed Steel Surface Area | ULC Spec & Target DFT Mils | Framed 2-Layer Type X Drywall Boxing Cost | Our Turnkey Intumescent Steel Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Home Basement / Retail Fit-Out (4 Exposed W250x33 Beams + 3 HSS Teleposts) | 380 sq ft (120 linear ft total) | 45-Min to 1-Hr CAN/ULC-S101 (32–45 Mils DFT Water-Based White) | $5,800 – $8,400 (Destroys ceiling headroom & industrial look) | $3,650 – $5,200 (Preserves full ceiling height + ULC sign-off) |
| Commercial Office / Atrium Feature Steel (18 AESS HSS Columns + Exposed W-Beams) | 4,500 sq ft (18–26 ft clear height) | 1-Hour ULC Design Z611 / D949 (45–65 Mils DFT + Matte Black Topcoat) | $58,500 – $81,000 (Impossible on diagonal bracing & nodes) | $33,750 – $47,250 (Sleek AESS architectural finish • Saves $24k+) |
| Mid-Rise Commercial / Institutional Frame (2-Hour Columns, Transfer Girders & Open Trusses) | 16,000 sq ft (Multi-floor scissor-lift staging) | 2-Hour CAN/ULC-S101 (95–140 Mils DFT Fast-Cure Hybrid Intumescent) | $240,000 – $315,000+ (Adds massive dead load & framing delay) | $184,000 – $248,000 (Single-source ULC binder + 0 floor loss) |
Why Single-Source Division 07 Contracting (Intumescent Steel + SFRM + Turnkey SPF/DC315) Saves General Contractors 15–25%
On commercial, industrial, and institutional construction sites across Ontario, Division 07 thermal and fire protection scopes overlap on the exact same structural grids. When you contract Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. as your Single-Source Certified Spray Foam & Fire Coating Contractor, you consolidate up to four separate sub-trades under one contract:
- 1. Complete CSI Division 07 Fireproofing & Insulation Scope Under One Mobilization: We install thin-film intumescent structural steel coatings (
MasterFormat 07 81 23) on architecturally exposed columns and beams, cementitious fireproofing (SFRM) (MasterFormat 07 81 16) on concealed floor decks and parkade steel, and turnkey 2 lb closed-cell spray foam + 18-mil IFTI DC315 thermal barrier packages (MasterFormat 07 21 19) across exterior walls and roof decks. - 2. Zero Tie-In Conflicts Where Structural Steel Meets Spray Foam Envelopes: A notorious failure point during municipal building inspections occurs where a structural steel column or roof purlin penetrates a commercial warehouse spray foam envelope. Because our Caliber Certified (CAN/ULC-S705.2 Licensed) Installers and fireproofing technicians work as one coordinated fleet, we apply the required CAN/ULC-S101 structural steel coating first, respect full cure schedules, and tie in the CAN/ULC-S705.1 foam and CAN/ULC-S124 thermal barrier without voiding either ULC listing.
- 3. Shared Scissor-Lift Staging, Poly Containment & Negative-Pressure Heating (Saves $4,500 – $18,000+): Instead of paying separate mobilization, lift-rental, polyethylene masking, and winter propane/indirect-fired heating charges to a structural painter, a cementitious plasterer, and a spray foam contractor, one unified crew executes all overhead work from the same lifts.
- 4. Full Multi-System Chemical Brand Compliance Across Every Category (
BM-44A/B/C): For structural steel and concrete fireproofing, we install Isolatek Cafco® 300, GCP Monokote® MK-6® / Z-106, Carboline Pyrocrete® / Nullifire® SC902, Sherwin-Williams Firetex® & other ULC-listed structural fireproofing systems (ADFI SprayFilm / A/D Firefilm® III,Flame Control). Where your project also includes foamed plastic insulation, we pair BASF Walltite® Eco v.3, Huntsman Building Solutions (Icynene/Demilec), Johns Manville & other approved CCMC spray foam chemicals with IFTI DC315® (CCMC #14036-R), No-Burn® Plus ThB, Flame Control No. 60-60A & other approved CAN/ULC-S124 thermal barrier coatings. - 5. One Consolidated Municipal Inspector & P.Eng. Sign-Off Package: Your site superintendent receives one organized compliance binder containing all CAN/ULC-S101 structural steel DFT logs, CCMC #14036-R thermal barrier reports, and CAN/ULC-S705.2 daily work records.
CAN/ULC-S101, Ontario Building Code Part 3 & MasterFormat 07 81 23 Engineering Specifications
Under 2026 Ontario Building Code Division B Part 3 (Fire Protection, Occupant Safety and Accessibility)—specifically Section 3.1.4 (Combustible & Noncombustible Construction) and Section 3.2.2 (Building Size and Construction Relative to Occupancy)—primary structural frames, floor assemblies, mezzanines, and load-bearing columns/beams must achieve a tested fire-resistance rating (45 min, 1 hr, 1.5 hr, 2 hr, or 3 hr) determined in accordance with CAN/ULC-S101 (Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials) and listed by ULC or UL Canada, alongside material evaluations recognized by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) at NRC Canada.
Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS Categories 1 to 4): Hollow HSS Columns, Wide-Flange W-Beams & Castellated Trusses
Modern Toronto commercial architecture—from King West tech offices and Yorkdale retail flagships to institutional university atriums, transit stations, and luxury custom residences—heavily features Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS) designed under the CISC (Canadian Institute of Steel Construction) Code of Standard Practice. Spraying grey, rough-textured cementitious fireproofing or building bulky 5/8" Type X drywall boxes around exposed round HSS columns, castellated beams, or diagonal tension rods destroys the architect’s vision. Thin-film intumescent coatings (28 to 120 mils DFT) spray on with 3,000+ PSI airless precision and dry to a smooth, matte architectural finish (AESS Category 1 to Category 4) that preserves every sharp steel flange, bolted splice plate, and architectural weld detail.
How Our Municipal Inspector & P.Eng. Sign-Off Binder (ULC Design Listings + SSPC-PA2 Elcometer DFT Logs + Primer Compatibility) Clears Occupancy
Municipal building inspectors and third-party fireproofing inspection engineers in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Oakville, and Hamilton will not approve structural steel fireproofing without a complete audit trail matching the shop primer, intumescent basecoat thickness, and ULC design number to the structural engineer’s steel schedule. On every project, Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. delivers a turnkey Municipal Inspector & P.Eng. Sign-Off Binder containing:
- Member-by-Member W/D Ratio & ULC Design Schedule: A complete engineering matrix mapping every column (
HSS,W-shape) and beam (W,C,OWSJ) on your structural drawings to its exactW/D(Hp/A) factor, target CAN/ULC-S101 fire-resistance rating (45 min,1 hr,2 hr,3 hr), and required net Dry Film Thickness (DFT). - Shop Primer Compatibility & Adhesion Test Log (
ASTM D3359): Documented verification of the steel fabricator’s shop primer brand and dry mil thickness (typically 2.0–3.5 mils DFT) plus cross-hatch tape adhesion testing confirming compatibility with the specified intumescent system (ADFI SprayFilm,Nullifire SC902,Sherwin-Williams Firetex). - SSPC-PA2 & AWCI Manual 12-B Calibrated Elcometer DFT Inspection Report: Grid-by-grid digital magnetic dry-film thickness readings (with primer thickness subtracted so only net intumescent DFT is counted), accompanied by pails/drums consumed and batch lot numbers.
- Signed Applicator Certificate of Compliance: Official corporate warranty and code compliance letter signed by Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. for submission to the municipal Chief Building Official, Fire Marshal, and architect of record.
Blast-cleaned steel with verified shop/field primer.
Phenolic alkyd, two-part epoxy, or zinc-rich primer.
Prevents under-film corrosion & char shedding in a fire.
An intumescent coating is only as strong as the primer beneath it. If an unapproved shop primer softens at 150°C before the intumescent coat expands at 200°C, the entire fire barrier delaminates during a fire. Our crew verifies steel cleanliness (free of mill scale, cutting oils, and weld flux), measures existing primer DFT with an Elcometer 456, and applies a ULC-listed tie-coat primer wherever bare steel or incompatible shop primer is found.
6 Critical On-Site Trade Rules for Structural Steel Surface Prep, Primer Compatibility & Intumescent Application
Applying 40 to 160+ mils DFT of intumescent fire coating onto structural steel in an active Toronto construction site requires strict metallurgical and environmental controls. Here are the 6 critical on-site trade rules our commercial fireproofing division enforces on every project:
- 1. Never Spray Intumescent Over Unverified Red-Oxide Shop Primer Without Compatibility Testing: The #1 cause of intumescent peeling and failed third-party inspection in Ontario is spraying over cheap, fast-dry alkyd shop primer applied by a structural steel fabricator without checking the manufacturer’s ULC Primer Compatibility Table. Before mobilizing, we audit the fabricator’s primer data sheet, perform
ASTM D3359cross-hatch adhesion tests, and apply an approved epoxy barrier/tie-coat if required. - 2. Subtract Primer DFT Before Logging Net Intumescent Dry Film Thickness (
SSPC-PA2): If a wide-flange beam requires58.0 mils DFTof intumescent basecoat under ULC DesignZ611and already carries3.5 mils DFTof shop primer, the total magnetic gauge reading on the bare intumescent must average at least61.5 mils DFT. Our technicians log baseline primer readings on every steel grid before spraying so third-party engineers never reject your DFT report. - 3. Choose Fast-Track Hybrid (
Nullifire SC902/Firetex) vs. Water-Based (ADFI SprayFilm) Based on Site Enclosure: Standard water-based acrylic intumescents require a fully enclosed building (≥10°C / 50°F,<75% RH, and≥3°Cabove dew point) and allow only20–35 mils DFT per day. If your structural steel must be coated before curtain-wall glazing is installed or during damp Ontario spring/fall schedules, we specify fast-cure hybrid/solvent systems (Nullifire SC902) that build up to120+ mils in a single passand resist early rain/condensation within60 minutes. - 4. Protect Galvanized Steel, Bolted Connections & High-Strength (
ASTM A325/A490) Splice Plates: Hot-dip galvanized steel columns, hollow structural sections, and unpainted slip-critical splice bolts require degreasing (SSPC-SP1), sweep blasting or etching primer (e.g., Carboline Galoseal / Kem Bond HS), and detail stripe-coating along every sharp flange edge and bolt head so the intumescent film never pulls back from corners. - 5. Never Confuse
CAN/ULC-S101Structural Steel Intumescent WithCAN/ULC-S124(DC315) Foam Thermal Barrier: General contractors frequently ask if IFTI DC315 thermal barrier coating can be sprayed onto bare structural steel I-beams, or if steel intumescent can be sprayed onto polyurethane foam. They are tested to completely different standards: IFTI DC315 (CAN/ULC-S124/CCMC #14036-R) is a 15-minute thermal barrier exclusively for spray foam, whereas structural steel requires CAN/ULC-S101 listed intumescent or cementitious fireproofing (45 minto3 hr). As a single-source contractor, we stock and certify both systems. - 6. Coordinate All Welded Mechanical Hangers, Bridal Rings & Conduit Clips Before Spraying: Welding or grinding on a structural beam after intumescent coating has been applied burns off the protective polymer matrix and requires costly hand-patching and re-inspection. We walk the site with your HVAC, sprinkler, and electrical foremen prior to masking to verify that all supplementary steel clips and trapeze hangers are welded in place.
Thin-Film Intumescent Fire Coating vs. Cementitious SFRM vs. Type X Drywall Boxing (2026 Comparison)
When pricing commercial building envelopes in Ontario or value-engineering a structural steel frame, architects and general contractors weigh three code-approved methods for achieving a 1-hour to 3-hour CAN/ULC-S101 fire-resistance rating: Thin-Film Intumescent Fire Coating (MasterFormat 07 81 23), Cementitious Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Material / SFRM (MasterFormat 07 81 16), and Multi-Layer 5/8" Type X Gypsum Drywall Enclosures. Here is the 2026 engineering and cost comparison:
| Engineering & Cost Metric | Thin-Film Intumescent Steel Coating (07 81 23) | Cementitious SFRM (Monokote MK-6 / Z-106, Cafco 300) | Multi-Layer 5/8" Type X Drywall Boxing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Installed Cost (/sq ft of Steel) | $5.50 – $11.50 / sq ft (1-Hr) • $11.50 – $18.50 (2-Hr) | $2.25 – $4.85 / sq ft (1–2 Hr Standard/Med Density) | $9.50 – $16.50+ / sq ft (Track + Framing + 2x Board + Tape) |
| Best Commercial Application | Exposed AESS Columns, Atriums, Retail, Lofts & Tight Clearances | Concealed Above-Ceiling Steel Decks, Beams & Parkades | Simple isolated residential posts where aesthetics do not matter |
| Finished Thickness Added | 0.03" to 0.16" (28–160 mils) — Preserves exact steel profile | 0.50" to 1.75" (13–45 mm) — Rough gray/tan texture | 2.5" to 4.5" per side — Loses 5"–9" of headroom & parking width |
| Impact & Abrasion Durability | Very High (Hard polymer shell • Ideal for high-traffic zones) | Low (MK-6 15 lb) to High (Z-106 22 lb / Z-146 40 lb) | Prone to forklift/cart dents & moisture damage in garages |
| Complex Trusses, Nodes & Bracing | Sprays seamlessly onto round HSS, rods, bolts & web openings | Sprays well on wide flanges but messy on exposed trusses | Virtually impossible to frame around diagonal braces & gussets |
| Turnkey Contractor Availability | Installed in-house by Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. | Installed in-house by Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. | Requires separate framing, boarding, and taping sub-trades |
Same-Week Commercial 3,000+ PSI Plural & Airless Intumescent Fleet Dispatch Across Toronto & Ontario
Every structural steel intumescent coating, cementitious fireproofing, warehouse spray foam, and IFTI DC315 thermal barrier project is delivered by our Caliber Certified (CAN/ULC-S705.2 Licensed) & Certified Structural Fireproofing Installers with $0 surrounding GTA travel fee across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Milton, Barrie, and Kitchener-Waterloo:
Get an instant ballpark at /price-chat or send structural steel schedules for a member-by-member W/D ratio & ULC DFT takeoff.
We verify shop primer DFT and compatibility, mask adjacent glazing/MEP services, and stripe-coat bolts and edges.
Precision multi-pass airless or plural application of water-based or hybrid intumescent to exact ULC target mils.
Calibrated digital Elcometer 456 DFT logging per column/beam, optional AESS urethane topcoat, and full ULC compliance binder.
Select your CSI Division 07 fireproofing/insulation scope or local Ontario municipality below for 2026 unit rates and same-week dispatch:
Frequently Asked Questions
In 2026, intumescent fire coating for structural steel (CSI MasterFormat 07 81 23) in Toronto and Ontario costs $5.50 to $8.25 per sq ft for a 45-minute rating, $6.25 to $11.50 per sq ft for a 1-hour CAN/ULC-S101 rating, and $11.50 to $18.50+ per sq ft for a 2-hour to 3-hour rating (plus +$1.35 to $2.65/sq ft if an architectural polyurethane topcoat is specified). Small inspection-rescue packages (1 to 10 exposed steel beams or columns) typically range from $2,800 to $7,900 turnkey. Contact Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. at (647) 333-3626 or check your exact price in 60 seconds at spfsolutions.ca/price-chat.
Required Dry Film Thickness (DFT) is never guessed—it is calculated from the member’s W/D ratio (Weight per unit length in lbs/ft divided by the Heated Perimeter in inches, or metric Hp/A section factor), the member orientation (column vs. floor beam), the restraint condition (restrained vs. unrestrained), and the target CAN/ULC-S101 fire-resistance rating (45 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr). Lighter steel profiles (low W/D) heat up faster and require thicker DFT (e.g., 65–145 mils), whereas heavier wide-flange columns (high W/D) require thinner DFT (e.g., 28–60 mils).
Our commercial fireproofing division installs Isolatek Cafco® 300, GCP Monokote® MK-6® / Z-106, Carboline Pyrocrete® / Nullifire® SC902, Sherwin-Williams Firetex® & other ULC-listed structural fireproofing systems (including ADFI SprayFilm / A/D Firefilm® III and Flame Control). When your project also includes spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation, our Caliber Certified (CAN/ULC-S705.2 Licensed) Installers pair BASF Walltite® Eco v.3, Huntsman Building Solutions (Icynene/Demilec), Johns Manville & other approved CCMC spray foam chemicals with IFTI DC315® (CCMC #14036-R), No-Burn® Plus ThB, Flame Control No. 60-60A & other approved CAN/ULC-S124 thermal barrier coatings.
No. IFTI DC315® (CCMC #14036-R) is tested to CAN/ULC-S124 and NFPA 286 strictly as a 15-minute thermal barrier over spray polyurethane foam insulation (OBC Section 3.1.4.2 and 9.10.17.10). Structural steel columns, wide-flange W-beams, and open-web steel joists require a 45-minute, 1-hour, 2-hour, or 3-hour structural fire-resistance rating tested under CAN/ULC-S101. Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. ((647) 333-3626 • spfsolutions.ca/price-chat) installs both systems so your steel and your spray foam each receive their exact code-mandated coating.
Choose thin-film intumescent fire coating ($5.50–$18.50/sq ft) whenever the structural steel will remain visible to building occupants (Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel / AESS in offices, retail stores, restaurants, schools, transit hubs, or custom homes), where tight ceiling/parking clearances prohibit bulky drywall boxing, or where high impact resistance and zero dust shedding are required. Choose cementitious fireproofing / SFRM ($2.25–$4.85/sq ft for Monokote MK-6 / Z-106 or Cafco 300 / 400) when steel beams and fluted metal decks will be concealed above a drop ceiling or inside a utility/parkade level.
Yes. Most water-based and hybrid intumescent basecoats dry to a smooth matte white shell that can be topcoated with a manufacturer-approved aliphatic polyurethane, acrylic urethane, or polysiloxane topcoat (2.5 to 4.0 mils DFT) in Architect Matte Black, Charcoal, Pure White, Metallic Silver, or any custom RAL, Sherwin-Williams, or Benjamin Moore architectural colour—delivering an AESS Category 2 to Category 4 appearance while sealing the intumescent film against ambient humidity.
Before spraying a single drop of intumescent coating, our technicians inspect the fabricator’s mill/shop primer datasheet, measure existing primer thickness (typically 2.0 to 3.5 mils DFT) with a digital Elcometer 456, and conduct ASTM D3359 cross-hatch adhesion tests. If the shop primer is listed as compatible with the ULC intumescent system, we degrease and spray directly over it. If the primer is unknown or incompatible under high-temperature fire expansion, we apply a ULC-approved barrier/tie-coat primer so the assembly passes third-party engineering sign-off.
You can get an instant 2026 ballpark estimate and lock in a $250 Estimate Credit in 60 seconds at spfsolutions.ca/price-chat (No Site Visit Required), upload structural steel drawings and schedules through our General Contractor Bid Desk, or call Sprayfoam Solutions Toronto Inc. directly at (647) 333-3626 for same-week mobile fleet dispatch across Toronto, the GTA, and Ontario.
