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How A Fire Proof Coating Can Save You Thousands

By Ryan Bittner · December 8, 2025

How A Fire Proof Coating Can Save You Thousands
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Table of contents
  1. 01The Biggest Fire-Rating Hack For California Property Owners  in Years (And Almost Nobody Is Using It Yet)
  2. 02How Firefree Coatings Can Save You Thousands - Especially on Big Projects
  3. 03QUICK VERSION (READ THIS FIRST)
  4. 04WHY FIRE RATINGS GOT SO EXPENSIVE (LAST 3 YEARS)
  5. 05ENTER FIREFREE COATINGS (THE HACK)
  6. 06THE MAGIC OF FIREFREE (WHERE IT SAVES THE MOST)
  7. 07Demising Walls in TIs
  8. 08Exterior Walls on Tight Lots
  9. 09Exposed Beams (Steel or Heavy Timber)
  10. 10WUI Zones
  11. 11FINAL TAKEAWAY (SHORT + IMPORTANT)
  12. 12SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY!

The Biggest Fire-Rating Hack For California Property Owners  in Years (And Almost Nobody Is Using It Yet)

How Firefree Coatings Can Save You Thousands - Especially on Big Projects

Let’s be real for a second:

California’s fire-rating requirements over the last 3 years. Brutal. Complicated. Expensive.  Especially in San Diego.

Every new code cycle means more fire-rated walls, more assemblies, more WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) rules, and WAY more money burned on upgrades nobody budgeted for.

But here’s the crazy part…

There’s a fully approved solution almost nobody is using - and it cuts fire-rating costs by 30 - 70%.

I’m talking about Firefree Coatings. And yes, it’s absolutely legit.

⭐ QUICK VERSION (READ THIS FIRST)

  • Firefree Coatings are ICC/UL tested + CA State Fire Marshal listed.
  • They can replace expensive drywall builds + massive demo.
  • Approved under CBC 104.11 (Alternate Materials & Methods).
  • HUGE savings on multifamily, commercial, TI, and WUI projects.

🔥 WHY FIRE RATINGS GOT SO EXPENSIVE (LAST 3 YEARS)

California updated its Building & Fire Codes in 2022.
San Diego adopted them in 2023.

This triggered:

  • Stricter exterior wall ratings
  • More interior fire-resistance requirements
  • Tougher WUI rules
  • More retrofits being forced to meet current code

🚀 ENTER FIREFREE COATINGS (THE HACK)

Firefree 88 + Firefree Class A  = 1- and 2-hour fire ratings WITHOUT demo or rebuilding.

They are:

  • ICC listed
  • UL classified
  • State Fire Marshal listed
  • Tested to ASTM E119
  • Recognized in CA

💡 THE MAGIC OF FIREFREE (WHERE IT SAVES THE MOST)

✅ Long Apartment & Condo Corridors

Skip rebuilding walls.
Skip disturbing tenants.

✅ Demising Walls in TIs

Apply the coating → pass the rating → avoid scheduling nightmares.

✅ Exterior Walls on Tight Lots

Meet ratings without thickening the wall.

✅ Exposed Beams (Steel or Heavy Timber)

Keep the architecture.
Get the fire rating.

✅ WUI Zones

Firefree Class A meets surface requirements without replacing siding.

Minimal disruption.
No demo.
No new framing.
No rerouting MEP.
Fewer inspections.

🎯 FINAL TAKEAWAY (SHORT + IMPORTANT)

California’s new codes made fire rating harder.
Firefree Coatings make it easier.

They’re tested.
Approved.
Recognized.
Cost-effective.
And shockingly underused.

If your project needs a fire-rated upgrade in California - you should be looking at  Firefree.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY!

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