A building on fire is a very frightening thing and doing everything possible to protect the people inside is essential. If a fire does occur, the steelwork in the building can reach temperatures that exceed 500oC – it’s enough to mean beams lose structural cohesion and are no longer able to bear their load. In short, the building collapses.
Protecting steelwork is possible thanks to intumescent steel coating, giving a precious extra half an hour or more for the emergency services to arrive and help before the worst happens.
At GI Sykes, we have the specialisation needed to give your building this extra layer of protection – read on.
How Does Intumescent Steel Coating Work?
There’s a lot of chemistry involved in intumescent steel coatings, but the core of the idea is that the outside coating undergoes a chemical reaction when it gets to around 250oC. This reaction causes a layer of char to expand around the steel, growing to an impressive 50 times its original size.
The char has low thermal conductivity, which means it’s hard for the heat to pass through it, effectively protecting the steel beneath it from getting too hot.
Of course, this coating isn’t perfect and won’t stop the heat forever, that’s why intumescent steel coating is rated based on how many extra minutes of heat resistance it provides.
How is Intumescent Steel Coating Applied?
Obviously, it’s not always possible to coat all the steel in the building – after all, once it’s been built, some of it is very difficult to get to. However, when applying a course of intumescent steel coating, work is done to access and coat as much of the steel as possible.
Inspection
The first step is a thorough inspection. It’s important to ascertain not only what steel can be coated but also to properly plan that access. Our experts at GI Sykes will undertake a comprehensive assessment, identifying which steel requires protection and evaluating the existing condition of that steel.
Preparation
Intumescent steel coating can’t be applied to dirty or rusty steel, so it often requires preparation and cleaning; this can also be true if old coatings exist that need replacing.
We will clean all the steelwork before applying the primer that’s essential for the coating to adhere to the surface.
Application
Applying the coating is done through multiple methods – after all, it’s important to do it right and depending on the situation that may need a combination of techniques. Much of the coating is sprayed on, giving an even coverage that can reach many out-of-the-way parts of the steel, but sometimes we need to use rollers or brushes to make sure the whole area is properly coated.
Intumescent steel coating needs to be applied in several layers, so there’s a process of drying and reapplication as needed. For regulatory purposes, the thickness needs to be measured – only when it’s right does it pass inspection.
Regulations and Health and Safety
Like many construction projects, standing back and watching experts, like our team at GI Sykes, can make it look easy. So easy, in fact, that it almost seems like a waste to get us on board – surely you can do it yourself?
DIY intumescent steel coating isn’t a good idea though. Unlike simple painting, where a mistake or missing patch is merely a little irritating when noticed months later, a poor intumescent steel coat covering will mean that it’s unable to properly do its job – and you won’t know about that until it’s too late.
With regulations to follow, health and safety measures for those undertaking the work, and follow up inspections that need to be considered, we strongly advise against trying the DIY approach.
Additional Benefits of Intumescent Steel Coating
While safety is far and away the number one consideration when doing a coating project, there are a couple of additional benefits.
- The look – You may want to consider the aesthetics and style of the steel in your premises, and for this reason, intumescent steel coating comes in a range of different finishes. In most cases, it can also be coated over with other paint to completely match your internal décor.
- The budget – Intumescent steel coating is extremely low cost when considered against the value of the lives potentially saved by its application. Even putting that aside, though, the coating protects the steel from more than just fire, improving its general longevity and saving in maintenance costs.
Meeting Regulations
There is no legal requirement in the UK for intumescent steel coating; however, the Building Regulations and Fire Safety Standards (2010), as well as standards BS 476, BS EN 13381-8, and BS 9999, detail the testing requirements and fire resistance requirements that intumescent coatings must meet.
Additional options include fire-resistant boards or concrete encasement of the steel.
Intumescent Steel Coating with GI Sykes
There can be no doubt that intumescent steel coating is a good thing for your premises – giving you a cost-effective solution to steel fire and heat resistance that will mean you meet regulations and ultimately save lives – those extra 30 to 120 minutes that intumescent steel coating provides are essential to giving the fire brigade time to arrive and get people out of danger.
At GI Sykes, we are specialists in all aspects of building safety and will work with you to ensure that your premises provides the best possible environment. Contact us today to find out more or book to have your steelwork properly protected.
