FAQ

AFI provides specialty construction services at the most competitive pricing structure. Our team provides in excess of one hundred years in combined experience and knowledge of Division Seven Scopes of work. Our nationally recognized firm has proudly earned the reputation of being a dependable partner in your construction endeavors.

AFI provides spray applied fireproofing, intumescent fireproofing, epoxy fireproofing, and specialty spray insulation services on a national basis.

AFI can assist from conceptual design to specification application to provide assurance of appropriate product selection to best maintain milestone dates and integrity of the project.

In the past, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) defined product classifications as “Cementitious Mixtures” or “Sprayed Fiber” materials. These product classifications have been withdrawn and combined to form a new single product classification called Spray-Applied Fire Resistive Material (SFRM).
The term “cementitious” often misleads design professionals to believe that the product contains cement, when in fact, most commercial density fireproofing products called “cementitious” do not. Ironically, most of the materials that were included in the “Sprayed Fiber” category actually do contain cement

Intumescent Fire Resistance Coatings are paint-like coatings that expand and char in a fire to insulate structural steel for up to 4-hours. Thin Film Intumescent Coatings give Architects the ability to design using structural steel that can be decorative and aesthetically pleasing. Intumescent Coatings can be top coated to match their surroundings and allow steel to be left exposed to view while providing the necessary fire resistance ratings.

Passive fire protection is a system that delays the rate of temperature increase to steel membranes that weakens its structural strength in the event of a fire. There are several systems that can be used:

• Fire resistive systems: cementitious spray applied fire-resistive material or intumescent coatings
• Membrane systems: provide a thermal barrier, i.e. gypsum board
• Concrete systems: encases the steel membrane and slows down the conduction of heat

A variety of these systems can be used in different areas throughout one building.

AFI is an approved applicator of various products that provide LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits.

When fireproofing has been impacted, damaged, and/or removed, it may be repaired by spraying or hand troweling freshly mixed product to the affected areas.

Model building codes mandate that a registered architect or professional engineer can make these determinations. Manufacturers can only recommend the appropriate design and thicknesses of fireproofing. AFI collaborates with the manufacturers and engineers of the offered products to present the best solution for your building.

Spray Foam Insulation is the most energy efficient, eco-friendly, and innovative technology available today that will last and perform for the life of the home/building. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is a complete insulation, air, and moisture barrier that seals the building against air infiltration while providing the highest R value per inch of any insulation available in the construction industry. Foam insulation is sprayed as a liquid that quickly expands many times its original volume sealing all penetrations such as electrical outlets and plumbing devices. Air cannot blow thru polyurethane foam such as it can with other materials, remember air leaks equal money leaks!

There are two general categories of SPF insulation materials; open-cell, low-density and closed-cell, medium-density. Both foam categories provide excellent insulation and air sealing. Although both are made using almost identical chemical reactions, there are some inherent physical property differences that often determine which product is chosen for a particular project.

• Open-Cell Spray Foam: Also known as a low-density spray foam and consistently outperforming traditional insulation types, this spongy foam provides excellent thermal insulation and air sealing. Open-cell foam products can also provide sound attenuation and allows leaks to drain through them letting you identify leaks sooner for repair. Ideal for filling walls, ceilings and crawlspaces, open cell foam spray is impermeable to air thereby helping to reduce escaping air but is permeable to moisture to help control moisture movement.
• Closed-Cell Spray Foam: This rigid spray foam with a higher R-value (resistance to heat flow) per inch, is a medium density that performs brilliantly in flood-prone areas since it can reject bulk water. In fact, FEMA recognizes closed cell foam as a flood-resistant material. Closed-cell foam can be used effectively in both interior and exterior applications and is ideal for continuous insulation applications in commercial buildings.