Where Does Your Facility Need Intumescent Coatings?

Where Does Your Facility Need Intumescent Coatings?
Intumescent coating is a popular passive fire protection option for commercial and industrial infrastructures. It can minimize or suppress a fire, preventing irreversible damage like collapsing buildings and loss of life.
If you plan to include intumescent coating in your fire protection measures, this article will provide all the essential information about the material.
What Is Intumescent Material, and Where Is It Used?
At first glance, intumescent coatings look like conventional high-quality paint. However, they can do more than hide blemishes and imperfections on surfaces.
Intumescent paint is specially formulated to expand to many times its original thickness and form a carbon layer when exposed to temperatures exceeding 200 degrees Celsius (~392 degrees Fahrenheit). Once the coating swells, the fire won’t be able to burn the protected substrate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. By delaying and limiting fire spread in a facility, people in the building have ample time to escape and even save significant documents and assets.
There are three common types of intumescent paints: water-based, solvent-based, and epoxy-based. The latter offers excellent hydrocarbon fire protection, making it ideal for harsh environments like chemical and offshore marine industries. On the other hand, solvent-based intumescent coating is typically used in semi-exposed environments because it is resistant to weather conditions.
Lastly, water-based intumescent coating is the least expensive, more eco-friendly, and produces less odor. However, it can be applied only in fully protected areas because it is very sensitive to high humidity and moisture and can be damaged easily.
Regardless of the type of intumescent coating, applicators typically use spray equipment to apply the product on a surface. They may apply the intumescent paint on-site or in an off-site workshop.
Where Do You Apply Intumescent Paint?
Intumescent paint is primarily applied on the structural frame of a building, like beams, columns, and trusses. This is to ensure the load bearing of such elements will stay intact and prevent the building from collapsing in case of fire. Intumescent paint is also applied to other materials, including the following.
Steel: While considered the second strongest metal in the world, steel’s load-bearing capacity and nominal tensile strength can quickly deteriorate once the temperature reaches 350 degrees Celsius (~660 ºF). Intumescent paint increases the duration of the steel’s strength during a fire.
Timber: Although this material is naturally fire resistant, it can still char quickly and emit combustible gases when exposed to high temperatures. Intumescent paint is applied to timber to improve the quality of its fire resistance.
Concrete: This material is known for its high fire resistance, but that does not mean it is 100% fireproof. When exposed to rapid fire, concrete may start spalling and lose its fire resistance. Applying intumescent paint to concrete delays any fire damage to the material.
You can apply intumescent paint to basically anything that requires fire protection, but be sure to pick the right product for your project. Nowadays, there are intumescent paints specifically designed for wood, plasterboard, and even cast iron.
What Industries Can Benefit From Intumescent Coatings?
The risk of fire is a concern for all construction sites and buildings, whether residential, commercial, or industrial. It’s just that some facilities have a higher fire risk and will benefit more from intumescent fireproofing.
For example, it is common to handle and store flammable materials in the petrochemical and refining sectors. Intumescent coatings provide an essential layer of protection to prevent catastrophic fires in these places.
Manufacturing facilities can also benefit from intumescent coatings. While combustible chemicals are less common, various fire hazards are still present. For instance, ovens can malfunction and cause an electrical fire. Intumescent coatings can provide much-needed passive fire protection in these facilities.
The energy and power generation sectors also stand to benefit, as they rely on intricate machinery and volatile materials that could ignite. Intumescent coatings add a crucial element of safety to prevent such disasters.
Construction is another field that will benefit from intumescent coating applications. Intumescent paint boosts the fire resistance of structural elements, enhancing building safety and meeting stringent regulations.
Schools, healthcare facilities, residential buildings, restaurants, religious centers, or any other structure that regularly houses hundreds or thousands of people should also invest in intumescent paint. The paint can save lives in case a fire breaks out in these structures.
Benefits of Intumescent Coatings
It’s no secret that fire spares no one. Once a fire has been ignited, it will engulf anything and everything in its path. An intumescent coating does not offer endless fire protection, as fire may still spread when not extinguished. Still, intumescent paint is a vital addition to fire protection measures for many reasons.
It effectively limits and delays fire spread. A fire can double in size every 30 seconds, which means it can quickly occupy all livable space in just a few minutes. Passive fire protection can prevent that from happening. As previously mentioned, intumescent coatings can prevent fire from reaching the substrate and spreading for at least 30 minutes. More often than not, that’s enough time for employees to escape the building.
Beyond its fire-limiting capabilities, intumescent paint plays a pivotal role in maintaining a building’s structural integrity during a fire. Traditional building materials like steel can weaken and collapse under the intense heat generated by fire. However, when intumescent coatings protect these materials, their structural integrity is preserved for a longer period.
This added protection not only ensures the safety of occupants but also facilitates post-fire recovery efforts. By preventing structural collapse, intumescent coatings contribute to the overall resilience of the building, reducing the need for extensive repairs and reconstruction.
While the upfront cost of intumescent paint application may be higher than other fire protection solutions, it can be cost-effective over the long haul. This passive fire protection measure may lower your building’s insurance costs because it reduces the chance of fire spreading in your facility in the first place.
In addition, intumescent materials can withstand many natural pressures in a facility, like impact and constant changes in humidity and temperature. Once cured, intumescent paints offer incredible durability and impact resistance, and will not need special care or upkeep to remain effective.
Legal Regulations
In many jurisdictions, compliance with strict fire safety regulations is not only a moral obligation but also a legal requirement. Government agencies and building codes mandate particular fire protection measures to ensure the safety of occupants and neighboring properties.
Intumescent coatings are often recognized as a reliable and effective method for achieving compliance with these regulations. Failure to meet these requirements can result in severe penalties, including fines and potential legal liabilities. By investing in intumescent coatings, property owners and developers can demonstrate their commitment to safety and ensure that their buildings adhere to the necessary legal standards.
Get in Touch for Quality Fireproofing Services
Proper application is the key to effective intumescent coatings. But unlike other paint applications, getting the job done right requires experience and the right skills and tools. Therefore, it is important to work with a professional specializing in this field.
Kaloutas is a name you can trust in the field of fireproofing. Our team has been providing facilities with unparalleled protection against fire hazards for many years. The company’s skilled professionals use cutting-edge techniques and high-grade materials to ensure your facilities are safeguarded to the highest standards.
From commercial to industrial settings, Kaloutas tailors every fireproofing solution to meet specific needs. With a commitment to excellence, our team guarantees reliable and efficient fireproofing that offers peace of mind.
Don’t compromise on safety. Choose Kaloutas for superior fireproofing services that prioritize your property’s protection.Call the team today to get an estimate and learn more about intumescent coatings.