Shop Floor FIRE PROOFING....?????
 

I have a new 14' X 32' Building It is going to be a great work shop, but I need to figure out a way to make my plywood floor somewhat fire retardant. I don't want to have to weld or plasma cut outside in the winter. I have a great Fireproof paint for the Walls, but I just don't know what to do about the floor. I have RTV'd all the joining spots in the shop and it's prepared and nothing in it. I don't want to move in till I figure this out. I would prefer to leave the floor as it is and coat it with something.

I'm thinking sheet metal or concrete pavers :bigthink:

Is that safe with electric current when welding?

What about garage floor 2 part epoxy paint. You might get a burn spot or two if you are plasma cutting or welding, but I think it would definitely seal it. Probably not advisable in a completely wood structure. You might consider putting drywall up on the walls also for fire stop. (good time to insulate for cold weather too) just my .02

Nice shop by the way too!!!

My feeling about welding in THAT building???????? :bigthink:

You might as well spray gasoline before you start, it will go up in flames eventually.

The issue is not the floor, it is the entire structure.

A spark goes somewhere, smoldering starts, in the middle of the night, you hear the fire trucks driving up,,,,.

Those welding/cutting sparks go 10 feet,,, land in some dust and/or cob webs, and the smoldering starts. :bigeyes:

You could do a water washdown after welding EVERY time.

The entire building on the inside will be coated in a ASTM E-84 Class A rated paint. So I'm not worried about the walls ceiling ect. My problem is If i paint the floor I would have to re do it every couple of years.
I have seen this stuff work.

I like Sam's idea of sheet metal.

Sheets of aluminum diamond plate like in trailers. But wet the floor first weld or spatter sparks will burn through sheet metal. But I would not weld in that building.
They used to inpregnant plywood years ago with salt and still might for fire retardant. But eventually every thing burns with enough heat.

I always have a silver bullet (water can) handy when I weld or cut. In the winter I put anti freeze in it for freezing. You can buy them for like 5$ at flee markets. I have 5 or 6 around the garage and sheds.

I know its more money than you probably want to spend but if your going to weld in there I'd insulate, use sheet rock on walls and ceiling then pour a 1" floor of concrete. Then use your paint on the sheet rock. Once you get that building filled with your toys you don't want it burning. Plus you'll have a nice warm place to work.

And don't forget an exhaust fan...