Intumescent Fireproofing of structural steel: Core Expertise

Structural Steel under fire with temperatures above 1,000°F loses its strength, thus is coated with fireproofing to retard structural collapse and prevent loss of life.

Intumescent Fireproofing coating is like paint, thus the architect can design buildings and large spaces with exposed structural steel. Under fire the coating expands to a carbonaceous char which insulates the steel.

We are one of the larger applicators of intumescent coatings in the USA, and have been doing it for the last 30 years. We do not apply the low density, low cost fireproofing. Application of intumescent requires the skills of a spray painter. We have a large core of experienced and certified applicators.

Following are the advantages of intumescent over fiber low density and cement medium density fireproofing:

There are three basic types of intumescent fireproofing for steel:

1. Water Based: Fire rating up to 3 hours.

• Advantage: Low cost, easy application, smoothest.
  
• Disadvantage: Interior use only, building needs to be watertight, temperature and humidity are a factor in application
  
• Typical Uses: Atriums, airport halls, clean rooms, data centers.
  

2. Solvent Based: Fire rating up to 3 ½ hours.

• Advantage: Flexibility of application conditions can leave exposed to weather for short periods, more thickness per coat.
  
• Disadvantage: Odor, drying time.
  
• Typical Uses: Parking garages, stadiums, industrial

3. Epoxy Based: Fire rating up to 4 hours.

• Advantage: Exterior use, dries very hard, best for hydrocarbon fires.
  
• Disadvantage: cost, requires special equipment and skills.
  
• Typical use: Industrial – Refinery, offshore oil rigs, building exterior steel, public buildings requiring extra safety from hydrocarbon fires.

We have plenty of experience applying all three types – and can help the customer with the correct use for their project.

Application: Shop/Field.
We are the pioneers in the shop/field combo application. We assume one source responsibility of receiving raw steel from the fabricator, blast, prime and apply fireproofing in the shop, and touch-up the connections in the field after erection.

• Advantages:
  • Cost and time saving for the project.
  • Work in a controlled enviornment.
  • Better quality control.

Application: Field.
With our years of experience, we have the management and application skills to plan and execute a challenging installation anywhere in the world. We have trained applicators to spray 10,000 gallons of thin film coating in a month. We can save critical time for the project.