Intumescent paint
What is intumescent paint?
Intumescent paint is cleverly designed and acts as part of your passive fire protection system. As with all types of fire protection, intumescent paint is just one component that makes up your overall fire protection. Nothing works in isolation, and a carefully designed and implemented fire protection plan will consider all the different requirements to ensure that your building is protected. Intumescent paint is designed to expand under heat. This expansion protects the material that it is painted onto and prevents it from over-heating. Intumescent paint forms a carbonaceous char that is comprised of many small bubbles, this creates impressive insulating properties. Intumescent coatings can be solvent based intumescent coatings or water based intumescent coatings and we will advise on the best type of intumescent coating for your building.
How does intumescent paint benefit my building?
Intumescent paint will help to prevent structural collapse in a building fire. Many buildings are designed and built with structural steel. If the structural steel is protected with intumescent paint then the building is structurally more resistant to fire. The fire resistant paint can prevent the steel or other materials from overheating. Steel reaches a critical temperature at between 500°C and 620°C, though it can reach a critical temperature at as low as 320°C. Whilst this may sound like a very high temperature, building fires can reach 500°C in a matter of minutes. Once steel reaches a critical temperature it becomes structurally unsound, and the building can be quickly destroyed by the fire. All the work that we do with fire protection is designed to make your business safer. Fire can be devastating, but taking fire protection seriously and investing in active and passive fire protection solutions will make a huge difference in the event of a fire.
New fire safety laws
The Fire Safety Act 2021 has been bought in following the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation was created after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and there are changes in this law that may affect you. The fire laws vary according to the usage of a building, and you must have the correct fire protection for your business. A new building will be designed to have more fire resistance than an older building. Structural steel will be coated with fire retardant paints as part of the passive fire resistance of the building. A building constructed decades ago will not have had intumescent paints used on it originally, so it is important to consider the age of your building, as well as the usage. Intumescent paints and other measures to increase fire resistance will save lives. If you are evacuating elderly people from a care home you will need all the time that you can gain from passive fire protection. Intumescent paints can save lives, make sure that your building is compliant with the latest regulations.
Why use Spa Decorators for your intumescent coatings?
The complexities surrounding the new laws for fire safety, mean that it is vitally important that you receive professional advice from an accredited company for your fire safety. Whether you are looking for advice about intumescent coatings or fire doors, the team at Spa Decorators are experienced, knowledgeable professionals. We understand the importance of fire protection, including intumescent coatings, and the role that fire safety plays in the long-term health of your business. We offer detailed fire surveys to our clients so that we can fully understand your fire protection measures, and advise on any steps that you will need to take to ensure that you are compliant with the latest regulations. We will work with you to give you peace of mind that your building is protected.
Get protected today
Don’t delay, protect your building today. Fire safety is a priority, never put off your fire survey, or carrying out vital works that will ensure your building is safe and compliant. If you are unsure about whether your current fire safety measures are correct given the changes in the fire safety law, we can help. Whether you are looking for intumescent paint for structural steel and cast iron, or intumescent coatings for wood, we can offer informed and independent advice. Don’t leave safety to chance, contact the helpful and friendly team at Spa Decorators today.