How to remove old insulation from steel wall beams?

[Natalie Spears]

There is some type of old spray insulation (or old fireproofing perhaps?) on the ceiling and steel beams. We had it tested....no asbestos. It continues to fall off throughout the entire building. A friend has suggested sheet metal attached to the roof purlins, then a layer of insulation, then another layer of sheet metal along the ceilings and walls. That idea sounds great to us. Our one issue is that the large steel wall beams coming all the way down from the roof to the floor are wider than the roof purlins...they start out wider at the top then get more narrow toward the floor. So, it looks like these steel wall beams will end up being exposed even if the do the two layers of sheet metal with insulation sandwiched between. Any suggestions to get this insulation off quickly, easily, and safely? Or, cover-up options?

 

[NUTTSGT]

You have a power washer, I'd try that first.

Other than that, the metal roof attached to the roof purlins (with insulation) would be a very good option. Yes, the beams/trusses would still be exposed but it would look nice and you would only need clean them off.

 

[driz]

PRESSURE WASHER. If it’s thin and peels off use the wide lance . Big thick stuff use the circular tiny one that takes the paint off your car.
I cut that useless waterlogged insulation out of my bass boat and baby baby that was the ONLY WAY it was coming out. In the back it was 2+’ thick and like soft concrete. Slice it dice it as needed. If you have to really dice it up make sure to have a good shop vac. Kinda slow but so much easier than hacking and peeling.
On the other hand there goes your insulation if you think you’re gonna miss it. if you want to insulate and contain why not just put up insulation in batts with simple Furring strip securing. Of course do check and see if you insulate what else you have to do to keep the code creeps quiet. You wouldn’t want to do craft face then find some dimwit forces you to try to sheetrock it after. Even if it is 16’[emoji849]in the air! Most I’ve seen like that are foil faced many that’s why.

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[readhead]

That is probably Monocoat fire proofing. We have to remove it quite often during remodels. It usually involves scraping and a wire brush to get it clean enough to weld to. The building must have had a use that required some pretty beefy fire requirements. Usually it isn't exposed.

 

[Shade guy]

Once rebuilt a metal building that half had burned.
The part that didn't burn had spray foam Insulation that had to be removed. A Soda blasting company spent a couple of days cleaning it off. It worked great.

 

[Natalie Spears]

Yes, we think fireproofing, too. Not sure why this was added initially...it was just an auto body shop and that's about all that's ever been here.