How many thickness tests must be taken on a building with 15,010 sf of metal decking at the roof level receiving SFRM?

To determine the number of thickness tests for a building with 15,010 square feet of metal decking at the roof level that is receiving Spray-applied Fire-resistive Material (SFRM), we refer to the guidelines set forth by applicable fireproofing standards.

The standard practice usually specifies that for areas larger than 10,000 square feet, a certain number of thickness tests must be performed to ensure the application meets fire resistance requirements effectively. Typically, the rule of thumb is to take a thickness test for every additional 1,000 square feet of surface area, beyond an initial base number.

For a project of this size, it’s common to take a minimum of 10 tests plus additional tests for every 1,000 square feet over the initial threshold (often 10,000 square feet). In this scenario, since 15,010 square feet exceeds 10,000, it would warrant additional tests. The calculation often follows the formula of 1 test for every 1,000 square feet after the first 10,000 square feet, which would lead to an accumulation of thickness tests that rounds up to 16 for the entire roof area.

Thus, the requirement of 16 thickness tests reflects compliance with safety