What is delamination in fireproofing?

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Delamination means the fireproofing layer loses adhesion to the surface it’s attached to, causing it to separate from the substrate. This separation creates gaps that weaken the continuous thermal barrier and can allow heat transfer to the structural material. Moisture entering the system, inadequate surface preparation, or damage during installation or service commonly weaken or break the bond, leading to peeling, blistering, or loose coating. That adhesion failure is exactly what delamination describes, making it the best answer. The other scenarios involve the substrate cracking, the coating simply reaching its service temperature without failure, or cosmetic discoloration, none of which describe the loss of bonding between fireproofing and the surface.