Intumescent Coatings
TSC Decorators Ltd specialize in passive fire
protection, TSC staff have attended training courses at Nullifire Ltd
and gained certificates for the application and knowledge of Nullifire
Intumescent Coatings
Why Is Fire Protection Required ?
The
fundamental purpose of fire protection systems whether
active
or passive
is to firstly, prevent the passage and spread of smoke and fire, from
one area of the building to another, to allow for the safe escape of
the building occupants. Secondly to prevent / reduce the amount of
damage to the building structure, neighbouring structures and reduce
the risk of collapse for the emergency services.
A number of the fundamental requirements of fire protection are specified in approved document B of the Building Regulations.
Means of escape, Internal surface spread of flame
to linings, Structural integrity of the building. Fire compartmentation, Access and facilities for emergency services
Proactive
Other more commercial reasons for the use of fire protection systems,
is to reduce the amount of damage and prevent collapse of the building.
This intern can help to:
Reduce the possible risk to the fire fighters.
Reduce the rising cost of insurance polices.
Protect capital investment.
Passive Fire Protection
Passive systems in the form of fire rated doors, barrier, ceilings and
structural fire protection.
The overall aim of passive systems is to contain the fire by:
Use of fire rated partitions and doors to prevent the
fire and smoke from moving from one compartment to another.
Delaying the
collapse of the building structure.
Delaying the growth of the fire.
Intumescent coatings for the protection of structural steelwork
During a fire situation the temperature within a building can rise from
ambient around 20oC, up to 1000 oC. As the temperature in the building
increases, so does the temperature of the steel structure that supports
the building. All steel sections have wants know as a critical steel
temperature. This is the temperature at which the steel section begins
to loose its strength and buckle.
The building regulations require that structural steel is protected
against fire, to ensure that the load-bearing strength of the steel is
not decreased as the temperature increases.
There are 3 main systems to protect structural steelwork against
the risk of fire:
Boarding: In the form of plasterboard / mineral fibre / Calcium silicate
etc.
Spray: In the form of cementitious, mineral fibre or gypsum systems.
Intumescents:
Thin film intumescent basecoats.
Determination of fire protection measures
The type of protection to use normally comes down to the following factors:
Fire performance required, 30/60/90/120 or 240 minutes.
Type of steel member to be protected.
The design and aesthetic requirements.
Weight restrictions.
Construction time.
Cost considerations.
Steel location, Internal or External
Cementitious spray systems are generally the cheapest method of protecting
steelwork at 90 up to 240 minutes fire performance.
To see pictures of a TSC contract involving Intumescent coatings click Here