One of the unwritten codes in the Men's Room is that you don't look down, but while in the Men's Room a home inspector always looks up!
What did this home inspector see?
Structural steel fireproofing!
Oh, sure, like I'm going to believe YOU don't look around and inspect things when you go places. Like the restroom.
This was my first visit to Nationals Park and I was looking around!
Yes, I really look around! Even in the Men's Room!
That fuzzy stuff is structural steel fireproofing.
Steel structures have to be made more resistant to fire, especially when in a confined space.
Even steel is not immune to the effects of fire and heat of specific temperatures and duration.
Fire can actually severely damage steel. No, it does not burn.
With enough heat and time, as temperatures approach 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, steel can deform and lose as much as 50% of it's load-carrying capacity!
All load-bearing steel must be covered.
The material isn't fuzzy at all - it is a plaster with a gypsum base. It is sprayed on with a thickness designed to protect the steel for two hours without any structural deformation or damage.
That renders the steel into a condition called Thermally Restrained.
And this has been known for a long time.
Surprisingly the first codes in this regard were established in 1918!
The code is written in ASTM E119 (UL 263). While materials have changed over the years, the basic requirements of this code have changed little!
It also determines the thickness and density of the spray, and the various levels of hourly fire restraint it should provide.
Stadiums are heavy things! And they hold a lot of weight! Even huge, thick steel beams can be subject to deformation and sagging!
Certainly resistance to twisting or sagging and load-bearing ability has to be established and protected!
So, the next time you are at the stadium, using the restroom, look up! You might just see the same fuzzy stuff shown here!
And, I understand, it tastes like chicken.
My recommendation: a home inspector is always on the job. Even when taking time off for a baseball game. I assure you, he can't help it!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Who knew..it looks like insulation...and not much in the wow of the decor department hmmm ?
That fuzzy stuff used to be mixed with asbestos. I hear that tastes like fish.
What S&D?! That's the stucco look of the 80s all over again!
Jim - I think that's why they went to the asbestos-free version - chicken is much more popular. We had a good time last night. My brother came into town and I picked him up early afternoon. The last baseball game we went to together was the 1969 All Star Game in DC! (blog tomorrow...) Didn't get home until really late last night.
Thanks goodness you got to see a Nationals WIN!!
I recall the day many years ago when a home inspector let me in on the little known (by consumers and some agents) that wooden beams were far more fire resistant than steel beams.
Over the years, I've sent many home buyers to the Internet to verify that fact.
Don't see much in homes build in the past 20 years with anything but steel.
WOW! Who knew!! There is so much to learn here on Active Rain ... I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Wood burns at a lower temp than steel deforms Lenn, but bare steel deforms more quickly.
What do you mean you don't look down? what about the foundation....just kidding....lol
WOW! interesting facts about fire proofing with the fuzzy stuff...thanks for sharing.
Kent - glad you enjoyed it!
I don't want to see what's on the floor Bob!
I guess I never gave it much thought, but I would not have guessed it was for fireproofing. I was in a parking garage the other day and all the beams and pillars were covered in a sheetrock type substance. Honestly never thought about tasting it. Maybe next time.
That's what it was Richard. And life is about experiences - you have to taste life!
So you're saying that they spray chicken up there? :-)
Be careful looking up there too intently... you just might wet your shoes!!
Good morning, Jay.... and real estate agents should take a page out of your book and keep their head in the business even when not in the office.... one never knows who they will meet who wants to sell....
That's exactly why I don't look down Fred...
Barbara - it's truly a curse! I can't get away from it!
Paying attention to everything around you can keep you from getting mugged in the rest room. Don't get caught in no way out locations.
The task at hand...always important but sometimes advertising at eye level can get your attention too. One more way to get advertising impressions. Capture some eyeballs for a short period of time while the kidneys are emptied. From too many early morning coffees. And you are levitating.
It was after the game Richard! There were a million people in there with me!
Not sure what I would be advertising Andrew. But looking at the structure always gets my attention!
I worked with a developer and everywhere we went, he would always admire construction...I thought he could literally see thru walls
You learn all kinds of things on Active Rain. Now I have to look up to see what you are talking about.
I tried looking up and I just pee'd on my good shoes.
That is experience combined with understanding Richie!
Cheryl - now that you have seen this blog, you will notice this stuff even on the highway!
Rob - and after all these years, it would seem to me you could do it even in the dark...
Hi Jay,
I see this when completing a final inspection on commercial properties. Not many use this type of fireproofing here. Most wrap the steel in a 5/8 or 3/4 sheet rock and finish it. But this is a better way when exposed to the elements and moisture. Especially when they pee up. LOL
Have a great day in Bristow.
Best, Clint McKie
I always look around to see anything unusual in the Homes and Building. You are right you do see interesting things on the ceiling.
Not sure the ASTM considered pee Clint! But maybe ... do you think they peed in 1918?
Keith - the downside is we miss money on the floor.
Mark - it's there is office buildings too, but once they are finished you can't see the spray.
A good example of this is the time it took the World Trade Center to collapse from the fire due to the jet fuel. When the temperature reach a critical point, and could not support the floor above it began to collapse in the pancake one floor at a time until it reach the ground.
Jay you got the first rule right don't look down, but you misssed the second rule "No Picture taking".
I have found that friends and family members who are in the building or construction industry always "inspecting" places they walk into. When I see them open a door or cabinet for no good reason, I know just what they are doing!
Unfortunately I could not resist taking a photo Chuck. But nobody disapproved!
Sheri - it is truly a curse! I can't help myself!
When I visit the men’s room at the ball park it is out of necessity and not to evaluate the construction…or anything else.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention, John! I just invented a second thing for you to do while in there!
Always on the job. I am going to look up in a lot of building, that I normally admire the design
I admired the design too Susan! But here I was looking at the quality of the treatment!
Jay - You just reminded me of my grandfather. When I was in Junior High School he drove me to school one morning. As he pulled up to the curb and looked at the building he started shaking his head. Then he told me that the building was poorly constructed - it wasn't on the square.
Yes - my grandfather was a building contractor. His crews built many school buildings, supermarkets, etc.
Taste like chicken does it? I'll have a bite after you take the first one :~). Have a great Sunday Jay
That about sums it up Marte! He couldn't help himself either!
James - then you're on. I sprinkle that stuff onto salads. I love the smell of gypsum in the morning.
Do you ever stop working?
Thanks for the upward photos Jay. :)
Good morning, Jay. I think I will forgo the taste test even if you say it tastes like chicken...
Better up than down Tom...
Life is about experiences Michael. Get with the program.
Jay, Have seen a lot of the fire coatings. Like you state steel needs to have some sort of fire coating. That is what happened to the Twin towers. They were designed to take a plane hit but not designed to take the amount of Jet fuel that would get injected that caused the steel to loose it strength due to the intense heat.
Which is why they crashed into them with a fully-loaded, trans-continental plane Don.