Intumescent Painters
What is an intumescent paint?
Intumescent paint is a thin film coating that reacts to heat. When exposed to fire it will swell, producing a hard char protecting the substrate from damage.
Intumescent paint is available in 30 min, 60 min 90 min and 120 min.
fire retardant paint is required for industrial steel framed buildings for passive fire resistance.
In the event of a fire it will provide more time to evacuate the building and for firefighters to control the fire before the building becomes unstable.
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How Intumescent coatings work
During a fire the heat causes a chemical reaction making the intumescent coating expand. This expanded layer of char acts as insulation between the steel framework and the fire. Once steel reaches 550°C it’s load bearing capacity is greatly impaired, resulting in possible collapse of the structure. The intumescent coating reacts once temperatures reach 120°C and the chemical reaction gives an insulated layer to protect the structural steelwork.
Intumescent coatings can provide up to 2 hours protection, giving time for employees to evacuate the building. Also provides time for the fire service to arrive and deal with the fire.
Intumescent paint can be over painted with a protective top coat to provide a longer lifespan.
Intumescent coating guide
A number of factors must be considered in choosing an intumescent project. The steel structure needs around 50mm of clearance to allow the intumescent coating to expand and do it’s job in the event of a fire.
The quality of workmanship in application of the coating also impacts the effectiveness of the finished project. If poor surface preparation was carried out the coating can de-laminate within a few years. Appropriate primer is another important factor to achieving a long lifespan. This would give reduced fire protection and would probably go unnoticed.
The application of Intumescent coatings is a specialist job, best carried out by intumescent paint contractors with experience in fire protection coatings.
Our operatives are IPAF trained in the use of cherry pickers; this helps keep access costs down. Anglia Décor are health and safety compliant, with staff trained in first aid, working at height and SSSTS/SMSTS. We are also able to act as main contractors, should a project be HSE notifiable.
New build industrial projects require a fire safety certificate. We would send your building drawings over to an intumescent coating supplier to produce a detailed report on the film thickness required for various structure elements. Once coatings have been applied we apply to the manufacturer for a fire safety certificate for the project.
Intumescent paint contractors
Intumescent coatings can be applied by brush and roller but are thick and best applied by airless sprayer. This gives a thicker and more uniform coverage and is faster to complete. As intumescent paint contractors, Anglia Decor cover London, Essex, Kent and for large scale projects can provide nationwide coverage.
Health and safety.
Our operatives are IPAF trained in the use of cherry pickers; this helps keep access costs down. Anglia Décor are Chas accredited for health and safety, with staff trained in first aid, working at height and SSSTS trained supervisors.
Fire safety certificate.
New build industrial projects require a fire safety certificate. We would send your building drawings over to the supplier to produce a detailed report on the film thickness required for various structure elements. Once coatings have been applied we apply to the manufacturer for a fire safety certificate for the project.
Get a quote.
Please send a cutting list with the protection you require to steve@angliadecor.co.uk
Please also let us know if a primer and top coat are required.
The process of getting a quote can take 3-5 days as we need to get a materials schedule from the supplier.
Frequently asked questions
- There are a number of factors affecting cost:
- fire protection required, 30,60,90 or 120 min.
- Access requirements
- Clients will send over a cutting list of the steel work being installed.
- We obtain a materials costing and work out a labour cost.
Solvent free & water based resin coatings are low odour that will not create a smell. Solvent based floor paints create a smell during installation.
Yes, most systems specify a red oxide primer prior to application.
Yes, we will apply for the fire certificate from the materials supplier and provide this on completion.
Intumescent paint has a lifespan around 20 years.
When applying an intumescent paint to a new project we will apply a protective top coat over the intumescent coating.
For old intumescent coatings we would need to know what system was used previously to find a suitable top coat.
If the intumescent coating has started to flake or debond from the metal then removal would be the best option.
It can be spray applied or by brush and roller.
It depends on the fire rating and steel sizes of your project.
The materials supplier will give us a materials spec stating a dry film thickness of different parts of the steel work. We use wet film tests to know how many coats are needed.
