Fireproof coating price per square meter can vary 2–3× because the main cost driver is not the “paint brand”—it’s the required fire rating and the thickness needed for your actual steel members. Required intumescent DFT varies with member size/section factor and rating duration, so two “120 min” projects can legitimately need very different material usage and labor time.
Quick Guide: How to get a comparable price per m²
- Confirm fire scenario + rating time (30/60/90/120 minutes) and approval route.
- Provide steel member schedule (beams/columns/HSS sizes) so DFT comes from loading tables, not guesswork.
- Split costs: materials vs application (access, labor hours, QA/QC).
- Lock the system build: primer + fireproof layer + topcoat/sealer (when needed), with confirmed compatibility.
- Standardize RFQ scope: surface prep/repairs, masking, scaffolding, testing records, handover docs.
Types of fireproof coatings & price logic
Passive fire protection (PFP) on steel typically uses intumescent coatings or cementitious fireproofing, and cost-per-m² behavior differs mainly because required thickness and labor differ.
Intumescent (reactive) fireproof coating
Intumescent coatings are specified by required DFT, and DFT is not “one number per rating.”
Structure Magazine notes that required intumescent DFT varies with the size of each structural steel member, and smaller/lightweight sections typically need higher DFT than larger/heavier sections for the same fire-resistance rating.
For a technical overview of why thickness varies, see Thickness for Passive Fire Protection Coatings.
Cementitious (non-reactive) fireproof coating
Cementitious systems can be cost-effective where thicker builds are acceptable, but installed cost still depends heavily on access, thickness, and repair/impact protection scope.
UL emphasizes that published test methodology and certification details must be followed closely to maintain the desired fire protection and that deviations from approved design details can void fire performance.
If your project is hydrocarbon-fire governed (petrochemical), UL’s explanation of certification discipline is useful: Testing and Certification of Steelwork Fire Protection.
Key factors affecting fireproof coating price per square meter
1) Fire rating (30 / 60 / 120 minutes)
DFT requirements generally increase with longer rating durations, which increases both material consumption and application time.
2) Dry film thickness (DFT) and section factor
Section factor ratios are used to determine required DFT for different members and ratings, and DFT is derived from loading tables rather than a universal thickness.
3) Member type and geometry (beam vs column vs HSS)
Structure Magazine highlights that HSS members usually require significantly higher intumescent coating DFTs due to their structural profile, which can push cost per m² higher for the same rating.
4) Surface preparation scope
Surface preparation affects adhesion risk and often changes the quotation scope (repair, reblast, touch-up).
If you specify prep grades, ensure your RFQ language matches recognized standards (ISO/SSPC), because “Sa 2.5 / SP10” misunderstandings can create disputes and rework.
Material cost vs application cost (what really changes your budget)
Material cost is mainly driven by DFT (liters/kg per m²) and the number of layers in the system.
Application cost is usually driven by access/scaffolding, production rate (passes needed to build thickness), masking/containment, and QA/QC requirements such as DFT measurement and reporting.
How to estimate fireproof coating cost for your project
- Define rating + compliance basis. If the project requires a certified/tested assembly, keep the build-up consistent with that design, because UL notes changes from what was tested and certified will likely impact performance.
- Convert steel schedule → thickness. Send member sizes/types so DFT is selected correctly; Structure Magazine explains DFT varies with member size/section factor and rating duration.
- Write an installed-scope RFQ. State what’s included (prep repairs, primer repairs, stripe coats if needed, topcoat/sealer if needed, QA/QC reports).
- Compare apples-to-apples. Require cost breakdown by materials, application labor, access/scaffolding, and QA/QC.
Common pricing mistakes (failure patterns we see)
- Quoting “average DFT” without a steel schedule, then discovering HSS/columns require much more thickness and labor.
- Treating fireproofing as a single product and swapping primers/topcoats without confirming the system, even though UL stresses the tested system configuration and details should be followed.
- Comparing “material-only” against “installed” quotes without matching scope (prep, access, QA/QC).
RFQ checklist (send this to get an accurate price per m²)
- Fire scenario basis and rating time (30/60/90/120).
- Steel member schedule (beams/columns/HSS sizes).
- Substrate condition (new vs maintenance), surface prep limits, existing primer condition.
- System scope: primer included or by others, topcoat/sealer requirement.
- Site constraints: height/access, shutdown windows, shop vs site application.
- Deliverables: TDS/SDS, method statement, DFT report template, repair procedure.
Recommended next steps
If you want suppliers to quote accurately, start from a system-based RFQ mindset (system layers + thickness basis + inspection deliverables), not only “price per sqm.” A practical reference is Fire-Resistant Coating Series: Manufacturer Guide & RFQ.
If your project requires intumescent over an existing or specified primer, confirm compatibility early using Apply Intumescent Paint Over Primer: Compatibility Guide to avoid rework.
Technical note
Fireproofing system selection, required thickness, and acceptance criteria must be confirmed by the applicable TDS, project specification, and the certified/tested design details for the required rating.
CTA
For accurate fireproof coating pricing based on your fire rating and steel member schedule, contact us for a project-based quotation with TDS/SDS and a comparable scope breakdown via Contact.
