Off-Site Fireproofing Meets Common Job Site Challenges: Survey

Sherwin-Williams offers epoxy intumescent fire protective coatings and a network of applicators specialized in off-site, shop-applied coatings processes.

“Our shop-applied fireproofing can overcome common delays—whether from weather, materials or labor—helping contractors save time, reduce costs, and accelerate project completions,” said Joseph Windover, an executive with Sherwin-Williams Construction Solutions.

Job site safety is also a top concern for many in the industry. Nearly half (45%) of respondents identified “maintaining a safe job site” as a primary challenge. More than two in five (43%) reported incidents where someone working at a significant height was injured or fatally harmed on a project, highlighting the risks associated with advanced manufacturing construction.

“Shop-applied fireproofing significantly enhances job site safety by eliminating the need for workers to perform at heights and reducing the presence of risk-prone equipment, lines and hoses,” said Windover. “By moving fireproofing to a controlled off-site environment, we not only ensure quality compliance but also create a safer, more efficient worksite.”

The survey uncovered additional concerns for megaproject construction. A majority (53%) of respondents cited staying within budget as their biggest challenge. When selecting passive fire protection coatings, cure time (27%) was the top priority, followed by durability/longevity and price (both 18%). This signals that construction decision-makers prioritize coating performance over cost savings alone.

The survey also showed that most respondents (60%) agreed or strongly agreed that weather, temperature, and humidity have created delays specifically in the fireproofing process for their megaprojects. Additionally, 66% reported a 3.4-month average delay when using field-applied coatings. These are key problems that are directly addressed using shop-applied coatings.