Fire retardant coatings are non-combustible compounds used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings/ buildings to improve safety. These coatings play a major role by stopping or slowing the spread of fire, lowering its intensity, and minimizing smoke. The need for fire retardant coating is particularly felt in newly constructed homes. By treating building materials with these chemicals, the chances of the space catching fire is considerably reduced. This delay provides crucial extra minutes for occupants to evacuate and gives emergency/ crisis responders more time to control the fire and prevent structural collapse.
The ideal time to apply a fire retardant coating is right after framing is completed and before the installation of mechanical systems. This timing ensures easy access to all necessary areas, allowing for a thorough application.
Fire retardant coatings come in several formulas to suit different needs.
All approved formulas meet at least a Class A rating, ensuring 1-2 hours of flame spread resistance. These coatings can be applied to materials such as steel, gypsum, wood, and in some cases, foam and plastics.
Fire retardant coatings are among the easiest, oldest, and most efficient methods for protecting materials/ products against fire. As opposed to chemically modifying the substrate, these coatings create a protective layer that modifies the heat flux to the material, thereby inhibiting thermal degradation, ignition, or combustion.
An ideal fire retardant coating ought to minimize flame spread, release little to no smoke or toxic gasses, be easy to apply, offer good wear resistance, adhere well to the substrate, and be cost-effective/ pocket-friendly. Usually, these coatings are based on chlorinated alkyds or brominated epoxy resin, often filled with aluminum hydroxide or a combination of chlorinated paraffin and antimony oxide. They look quite like architectural paints and are available mainly in solvent form.
Fire retardant coatings can be classified into two groups/ subcategories: non-intumescent and intumescent. Non-intumescent coatings are decorative, architectural coatings containing flame retardant additives. These additives reduce the rate of flame spread and formation of smoke in combustible substrates. Their effectiveness quite literally depends on both the substrate as well as the film’s thickness. Intumescent coatings, on the other hand, swell when exposed to heat, forming a multicellular charred layer. This layer acts as an insulating barrier, slowing heat and mass transfer between the condensed and vapor phases. The charred layer can expand up to 50 times the original thickness of the applied coating, providing enhanced protection.
Incorporating fire retardant coating into your safety measures ensures robust protection against fire, safeguarding both materials and occupants.
At Evora, we pride ourselves on being a reliable partner in fire safety/ protection, committed to delivering industry-best fireproofing solutions. Our expertise in fire retardant coatings ensures that buildings/ structures remain continuously protected against the devastating effects of fire.
We at Evora, offer an extensive range of fire retardant coating – all geared to meet the specific needs of each client, guaranteeing maximum protection/ security and compliance with existing safety standards. Our team of experienced professionals employ modern tech and industry best practices to apply these, thereby forming a robust barrier that inhibits thermal degradation and combustion.
By lowering the spread of fire and minimizing the chances of smoke formation, our coatings offer extra time to building occupants to evacuate and for emergency responders to control the fire. At Evora, we are committed to excellence, ensuring that our fireproofing solutions not only meet but exceed expectations, providing peace of mind and enhanced safety to all our clients.
