Different Types of Fire Retardant Coatings
A fire retardant coating, or flame retardant coating, is a type of coating that can be applied to a surface to help prevent fire accidents. Coating means a layer of material that is significantly immune to fire. These coatings help reduce the flammability of fuels which can lead to dangerous fire incidents.
Today, there are different types of fire protection coatings: intumescent coatings and flame retardant coatings. Most of them release refractory gases when heated. For example, intumescent coatings expand when heated and form a layer of fire-resistant foam that protects the substrate from burning. We call these coatings fire resistant, but they are not completely incombustible. As such, fire-resistant coatings slow down the burning process.
With the help of flame retardant coatings, people have more time to leave burning buildings. Therefore, the use of these coatings can significantly reduce personal injuries from fires. You can use flame retardant coatings on different structures. For example:
office building;
corridor;
PARKING LOT;
houses and apartments;
skyscrapers;
the facade of a building;
Concrete support structure.
Various laws and regulations set minimum safety standards that all buildings need to meet. Applied coatings can help builders meet these standards.
Fireproof coatings of different materials
Steel – The steel structure of a building can collapse when exposed to high temperatures. When applied, the steel coating provides fire protection for up to 90 minutes;
Wood - one of the fastest burning materials, can be upgraded to fire resistance for 30 or even 60 minutes;
Concrete - inherently flame retardant. Concrete surfaces, however, may retain their strength over a wider range if coated.
Fire retardant coatings for metal and steel
Metals catch fire easily because they tend to be very reactive. Therefore, structures made of metal can be very fragile. Therefore, they need to be protected from accidents and fire hazards. Fire-resistant coatings can be applied to metal structures. These structures may include metal bridges and buildings. Given the critical nature of its construction, even minor accidents can lead to huge losses. Metals are also often used in heavy industry. Additionally, factory temperatures in these industries can increase significantly, which increases the likelihood of fires. You can prevent fires with special coatings.
You can protect structural steel with fire-resistant coatings. Steel rods can be made stronger and more effective if coated. Steel rods are common in modern buildings and factories. Intumescent coatings can protect these structures from hazardous situations. Also, you can use buildings and industries we use every day and other items made of steel.
This is yet another example of meeting the safety standards set by professional bodies. Many structures are made of steel and the coating enables developers to meet the outlined safety standards in a very cost-effective manner.
Wood fire retardant coating
Wood fire retardant coatings are very effective at protecting wooden surfaces from fire. Today, neighborhoods have wooden fences that are prone to fire. Applying fire-resistant paint to these fences can reduce the risk. Not only that, but since the wood will be protected, it will last longer. This means that applying these coatings can make wooden surfaces more durable and stronger.
In addition, almost every house has many appliances. This increases the risk of fire. Given that most homes are constructed of wood, applying a fire-resistant paint to the walls can provide an extra layer of safety from accidents.
Fireproof Coatings for Concrete
Concrete cannot catch fire, is highly resistant to fire, and is described as nearly fireproof in most applications. However, applying a protective coating controls the temperature rise and protects the structure from rapid temperature changes. Rising temperatures can cause buildings to collapse. Concrete protected by a fire-resistant coating is more likely to retain its structural integrity in the event of a fire, saving the expense of demolition and starting from scratch.
