Fireproofing my garage

[-Jensen]

Hey.
I have a all wooden build garage and I was wondering if there is any way to fireproof my garage so that I can use my angle grinder, mig welder inside my garage. And for my floor I was thinking about using something that is waterproof so that i can wash it when i get some oil or fuel on it. And the cheaper the better. Any help will be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

 

[Cypherian]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Hey,

You may want to look into this http://www.firefree.com/fire-retardant-products/ if your not going to dry wall it though, it is not cheap. If you are going to dry wall it there are fire rated dry wall products. Nothing springs to mind that would be fire proof and would give you the ability to wash fuel and oil off except metal which again is pricy.

Cypher

 

[Garage Josh]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

I'd recommend welding/grinding screens. You can usually buy one screen stand at a time. Will help isolate what you're doing at the source some.

Example:

 

[jgorm]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

I'm coming from a shop where I did metal and wood work in the same area. It is surprisingly difficult to start a fire with grinder sparks. I tried. Mig welding with gas is pretty safe, but those little glowing blobs will sometimes fly out. Buy a couple fire extinguishers, and be careful. There is no way I would use a cutting torch over a wood floor!

 

[Wizzard]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

I make an effort to spend a minute or two to examine the area I will be grinding or welding around before I proceed. I move fuel/oil containers far out of the way, make sure there is nothing around that can catch fire easily (paper, cardboard, etc). The only form of protection I use is a welding blanket when applicable and keeping a couple of mid-sized fire extinguishers on opposite ends of the garage.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Hey.
I have a all wooden build garage and I was wondering if there is any way to fireproof my garage so that I can use my angle grinder, mig welder inside my garage. And for my floor I was thinking about using something that is waterproof so that i can wash it when i get some oil or fuel on it. And the cheaper the better. Any help will be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

Ayuh,.... My garage is an ole converted cow barn, All wood,....
Luckily, the floor is concrete,....

For yer walls,.... Start seachin' craigslist or other venues, for scraps of steel sidin'/ roofin',....
Line yer walls, up to as high as ya care, to keep sparks outa the walls,....

For yer floors,.... Hit the scrap yards for light flat steel sheet, or a pile of nice flat, but heavier tin sheets,....

In the mean time, just be thoughtful, as I can usually control the general area any grinder sparks fly, by grinder, 'n work material orientation,...

A wet canvas tarp can be used on the floor to catch/ control welder sparks on the floor,....

 

[astroracer]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

My shop is a pole building. Sheet rocked on the heated side and open walls on the cold side. I have been welding and grinding in this shop, on both sides, for 30 years now. Never had a problem with the structure catching on fire. If you aren't welding directly against the wall or have junk laying around to catch sparks you will have no problems with the structure catching fire. just be aware and weld and grind in the open.
As far as the floor goes just keep it clean. If you do a lot of fab work any coating you put on it will not survive and will just look nasty after a few years.
Mark

 

[Ckengine]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

I covered the walls around my welding area with Hardie backer cement board

 

[Cyberbear]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Most of the best ideas have already been said, but if you still have doubts I'd go with 5/8" type X / fire code drywall, it's not that expensive and is DIY. I'm assuming by "all wood" you meant the floor as well. Try searching the net for a cement that can be poured over the floor, and wire mesh, that will support the equipment you will be using. Once in place they sell industrial/commercial coatings that should be solvent, oils resistant if you clean spills up with out long delay. You want cheap, so you may have to become creative because cheap often comes with an invisible price in order to achieve quality within a budget.

 

[-Jensen]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Thanks for all the ideas I'll consider all of them. I want to make the whole garage fireproof but I might go with the welding screens idea where I make one part of the garage fireproof, would save me some money
Cyberbear: Yes the floor is also made out of wood

 

[Rookie2]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Look Up Sodium Silicate (Waterglass) ,years ago I looked into this and as long as the wood was never exposed to water this was said to fireproof !

 

[Kaizen]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Cyberbear: Yes the floor is also made out of wood

I have a garage like this i use for my woodshop. no way in hell I'd weld in there or use my grinder or cut off saw. do you have room for a temp tent garage? i put one on my driveway for my car project for 350 bucks and welding and grinding in it i feel much better as the ground is not going to catch on fire or worse smolder for hours and ignite at 3am.

 

[-Jensen]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Rookie2: Thanks for the advice

Kaizen: The temp tent garage is a good idea, right now I have to weld and use my angle grinder outside, in the summer its no problem but in the winter when its windy and snowing its just not worth it. The tent would help me alot if I cant get the garage fireproof

 

[steve185]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

I usually try to stop welding and grinding about an hour before I close up the garage. I always go back out later to check on things.
Mine is drywall.
Steve

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

2 layer of 1/2" sheet rock. The first layer must be taped and one coat of mud. The second layer needs to have all joints staggered from the first. The second layer must also be taped and at least one coat of mud. Done properly this will give you about a 1 hour burn through time.

If your really paranoid, use 5/8" type X for the second layer.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

I usually try to stop welding and grinding about an hour before I close up the garage. I always go back out later to check on things.

+1 !

 

[Elginz]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Quote:
Originally Posted by steve185 View Post
I usually try to stop welding and grinding about an hour before I close up the garage. I always go back out later to check on things.

theoldwizard1
+1 !

+2 !

One place I worked we converted a room to weld in. We had to put a 2 or 3 inch flashing around the room at the wall and floor so embers could not roll under the wall covering (drywall) to the framing and smolder. We were also required to not leave the area for 1/2 hour after anything with sparks.

I weld and grind in my wood shop, dust every where. I usually weld on the floor when I can't get outside. clean an area and kind of box it in a little. Then follow the 1/2 hour or more rule. I have never started anything on fire yet, but the extinguisher is right there.

 

[srmofo]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

I hang around and clean up for about an hour before I go in for the night. I usually check on it before I go to bed. I also have 2 20lb extinguishers.

Honestly my biggest fear is saw dust catching a spark and not the wood walls

 

[Kaizen]

Re: Fireproffing my garage

Rookie2: Thanks for the advice

Kaizen: The temp tent garage is a good idea, right now I have to weld and use my angle grinder outside, in the summer its no problem but in the winter when its windy and snowing its just not worth it. The tent would help me alot if I cant get the garage fireproof

its not ideal in really windy cold but I was out there the other day when it was sunny but ten degrees and inside it was 45. at night I have a tank top heater that makes it bearable. course if you're welding it will heat up fast anyway. gotta keep snow off of it but overall it does well. only time I burned through it was welding 12 inches from the side. otherwise sparks from grinder just bounce off the roof/walls.