Fire-retardant paint, or intumescent paint, is a special coating used to slow the spread of fire in buildings. Essential for fire safety, it has unique properties that help protect structures from damage caused by flames and intense heat.
In this article, we’ll explain what fire-retardant paint is, how it works and in what contexts it is particularly useful.
What is fire-retardant paint?
Fire-retardant paint, often called intumescent paint, is a paint specially formulated to withstand extremely high temperatures. Unlike conventional paints, it reacts to heat by expanding, creating a protective insulating layer that limits the spread of fire. This expansion phenomenon protects steel, concrete and wood structures by delaying the weakening of materials under the effect of heat.
How does intumescent paint work?
When a fire breaks out, intumescent paint comes into action at a temperature of around 200 to 250°C. At this point, it expands up to 50 times its original thickness to form an insulating barrier that limits the temperature rise of the substrate.
This expansion protects the materials underneath by delaying the deformation of metal structures and the combustion of wood. This gives precious time to evacuate the building and allow the fire brigade to intervene.
The benefits of fire-retardant paint
There are several advantages to using intumescent paint:
- Delays the spread of fire: It slows the temperature rise of structures, saving precious time for evacuation and response.
- Easy to apply: Like conventional paint, it can be applied with a brush, roller or airless sprayer, ensuring fast, even application.
- Aesthetic discretion: Unlike other fire protection systems, fire-retardant paint does not alter the visual appearance of painted surfaces.
- Versatility: Suitable for use on a range of materials including steel, wood and concrete.
Areas of application
Intumescent paint is widely used in a number of sectors, including :
- Public buildings: Legislation often requires the use of fire retardants in schools, hospitals, offices and public facilities.
- Industry: In factories and warehouses, where the risk of fire is greater, structural protection is essential to ensure the safety of employees and property.
- Residential buildings: Although more common in commercial buildings, fire-retardant paint can also be applied in homes to enhance fire safety.
How do I apply fireproof paint with an airless sprayer?
The application of intumescent paint is similar to that of conventional paints. However, for optimum results and even coverage, we recommend using an airless spray gun. Here are a few key steps for successful application:
- Surface preparation: Make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of rust or contaminants.
- Choice of airless equipment: Use a powerful device (5 l/min flow rate or more) capable of spraying thick paints, such as Graco Mark or Wagner HeavyCoat models.
- Layer application: Apply paint in thin, even layers to ensure good expansion in the event of fire.
The airless machines most often used for this purpose are recommended by manufacturers as being suitable for spraying sealants/coatings. These include Wagner‘s HeavyCoat series (HC 750 or 950 models) and Graco‘s Mark and DutyMax ranges.
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- Graco Mark VII XT ProContractor airless pump – 19F744
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- Wagner HC 750 E – 2371027
Fire-retardant paint, or intumescent paint, is an effective and discreet solution for improving fire safety in buildings. Its ability to expand under the effect of heat slows the progress of fire, protecting structures and people.
If you are considering using intumescent paint in your projects, it is important to choose your application equipment carefully. At Airless Discounter, we offer a wide range of equipment suitable for the application of fire-retardant paints.
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