Fires are classified as cellulosic or the hydrocarbon fires. The key difference between them relates to how fast each reaches its maximum temperature and the combustible fuel source feeding the fire. In addition to this, cellulosic fires are fueled by materials like plastic, paper, timber and many other common items as founds in buildings and complexes. In cellulosic fire, the temperature reach around 550 degrees Celsius quickly which over the course of fire will have big effect on the structural steel in the building. It will not burn but will definitely warp and lose its ability to support a load, and increasing the likelihood of structure collapse. Intumescent paints, the best Fire retardant paint for cables, are designed to protect structural steel in case of such fire.
Intumescent paint, also known as Intumescent coating is one of the most efficient ways to protect load bearing elements of buildings against fire and flames. These paints delays the collapse of the building through insulating the structural elements such as beams, roofs, floors and columns that support the building, so helping get fire resistance levels in terms of time. So, it fulfills with the highest priority of passive fire protection, and preventing the collapse of the structure allowing the time for exit from it and making it safer for the emergency services.
Intumescent paints are a more and more used way of providing fire protection to the load-bearing buildings mainly steel structure which has become more popular in today’s architectural design.
Benefits of intumescent paints or coatings
It doesn’t modify the intrinsic properties of materials such as the mechanical properties like it can be easily processed, and various kinds of intumescent paints can be used on many different materials including concrete, timbers and steel.
Tips to choose the best type of intumescent paints
Remember, the topcoat must be specified based on the intended use of the system as well as the whether conditions. We have mentioned some use categories below which are defined for the fire protection products.
Type X: it is a reactive coating system intended for all conditions like semi exposed, exposed and internal.
Type Y: this reactive coating system is intended for internal, and semi exposed conditions. The semi exposed condition includes temperature below 0 but no exposure to rain.
Type Z1: this system intended for internal conditions with high humidity.
Type Z2: this system is intended for internal conditions with humidity classes other than Z1. If it is protected with the specific coat, the paint can be applied in high humidity, exposed or even semi exposed conditions. Let’s know about the prime chemical families of topcoat used for environmental protection. These include copolymer acrylic, epoxy, acrylic PU, polyurethane, urethane alkyd, two components polyurethane top coat and two components acrylic polyurethane.
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