Paint - Intumescent


Intumescent paints are paints which expand to insulate the steel that has been painted in the event of a fire.  These paints can be applied to building elements such as structural steel, metal clad walls.
 
There are issues with the use of Intumescent paints when they need to be applied outside in unprotected sites. They are not weather tolerant for extended periods of time and cannot have water pool on the surface they are coated to. Whilst intumescent paints are competitive with fire spray 1 hour ratings when you have small sections requiring 1.5 to 2 hour fire rating intumescents are more expensive and the degree of risk to coating steel work is increased greatly. ideal for use in areas where structural steel is to be exposed but protected form weather. We do offer combination systems of fire spray and intumescent paints for projects.
 
The paints we use and recommend
 
CAFCO SPRAYFILM® WB3

A water-based intumescent coating for the fire protection of structural steel. Sprayed directly to the contour of primed 'I' and 'H' section columns and beams and to hollow sections to provide fire protection for up to 120 minutes.  A chemical reaction occurs if there is a fire, causing the product to expand and form an insulating barrier to prevent the temperature of the steel rising to a critical level.

International Interchar 963
 
A solvent based intumescent coating. We have coated thousands of liters of this product over the last 3 to 4 years with good results. The product is solvent based which does present some issues during building work but it dries faster than water based.

The team form International will do individual specifications for each project enabling the project to have a complete coating system from International paints including primmer coats and finishing coatings. The package does offer some very good advantages to designers, engineers, builders and the client in the end.