CA D89 Fireproofing Contractor Exam

CA D89 Fireproofing Contractor Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale2026 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following is the primary purpose of fireproofing in

construction?

• Improve aesthetics
• Reduce construction costs
• Protect structural elements from fire
• Enhance acoustics

Rationale: Fireproofing is intended to protect structural steel and other

critical components from high temperatures, maintaining structural integrity during a fire.

• What is the minimum fire-resistance rating required for a structural

steel column in a high-rise building?

• 30 minutes
• 45 minutes
• 2 hours
• 4 hours

Rationale: Building codes typically require structural steel columns in

high-rise buildings to have at least a 2-hour fire-resistance rating.

• Which material is commonly used for spray-applied fireproofing?
• Cement plaster
• Gypsum board
• Mineral fiber or cementitious spray
• Fiberglass insulation 1 / 3

Rationale: Spray-applied fireproofing often uses mineral fiber or

cementitious materials for thermal protection.

4. Intumescent coatings protect steel by:

• Cooling the surface
• Expanding when exposed to heat
• Reflecting light
• Absorbing water

Rationale: Intumescent coatings expand under heat to form an insulating

char, delaying steel heating.

• What is the maximum allowable thickness variation for spray-applied

fireproofing?

A. ±10%

B. ±15%

• ±1/4 inch (6 mm)
• ±1/2 inch (12 mm)

Rationale: Codes specify strict tolerances for uniform fireproofing

thickness to ensure required fire-resistance ratings.

• The ASTM standard for testing fire-resistance of sprayed fire-resistant

materials is:

A. ASTM E119

B. ASTM C150

C. ASTM E84

D. ASTM D328

Rationale: ASTM E84 is used to test flame spread, while ASTM E119

evaluates fire-resistance of structural elements.

• Which factor has the greatest influence on the fire-resistance rating of

steel members?

• Color of paint
• Thickness of applied fireproofing
• Type of primer
• Ambient humidity 2 / 3

Rationale: The thickness of fireproofing directly affects the duration a steel

member can resist fire.

8. Wet-mix spray-applied fireproofing requires:

• Dry environment
• Proper water-to-material ratio
• Heat curing
• High-pressure air only

Rationale: Proper water proportion is critical to ensure adhesion, density,

and fire performance in wet-mix application.

9. Fireproofing should be inspected:

• After final painting
• After application and before concealment
• Only on the first day
• During demolition

Rationale: Inspection ensures thickness, adhesion, and coverage meet code

requirements before any concealment.

10. For metal deck floors, fireproofing is typically applied:

• Only on beams
• Over the entire deck surface
• Only at column intersections
• Not required

Rationale: Continuous fireproofing on metal deck floors protects both

beams and deck from fire exposure.

• Which of the following is considered a non-combustible

fireproofing material?

• Polyurethane foam
• Wood fiber
• Vermiculite cementitious mix
• Vinyl-coated fiberglass

Rationale: Vermiculite cementitious mixes are non-combustible and

commonly used for structural fireproofing.

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