Intumescent Fireproofing

Intumescent paint, is constructed with a chemical compound that expands and creates a protective barrier when exposed to high temperatures. During a fire, the material will expand and char to create a dense protective layer that can protect structural members for a period of time during a fire.

Intumescent fireproofing must be applied to a specified thickness in order to offer long lasting protection against high temperatures during a fire. The barrier created by intumescent fireproofing can expand 25 times its original thickness when reacting to the extreme temperatures of a fire. Coating thickness requirement is dependent on the size and weight of each individual steel member and the hourly fire rating requirements of your structure.

Intumescent fireproofing covers like a thin protective coat of paint and can be spray applied. Since varying thicknesses determine its fire rating, multiple coats are typically necessary. Once the final coat is fully cured, a top coat of an approved paint can be applied. The typical dry finish appearance of intumescent paint is that of an orange peel but can be sanded to a higher level finish if needed.

Intumescent coatings can be used safely in schools, hospitals, hotels, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and other job sites. This thin coverage form of fireproofing can be used indoors and outdoors, on exposed structural beams and those behind walls and ceilings.
One thing to understand is that intumescent fireproofing is significantly more expensive then it’s cementitious counterpart and typically there is a specific reason why it’s being installed. The most common reason someone would choose to install intumescent is for the aesthetics. It is often used when architects, designers and property owners want to showcase structural steel members. Another situation it is used is when there are area restraints and there just isn’t enough space to fit cementitious spray fireproofing. Some other reasons it can be specified is when the environment just won’t allow for cementitious spray fireproofing, or the nature of the project does not allow for other forms of fireproofing to be properly installed.