{"id":12826,"date":"2022-02-23T06:05:51","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T12:05:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=12826"},"modified":"2022-04-05T10:28:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T16:28:14","slug":"pc-fire-retardants-fire-resistant-intumescent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/12826\/pc-fire-retardants-fire-resistant-intumescent\/","title":{"rendered":"Fire Retardants\/Fire Resistant\/Intumescent"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"photoThis is both a summary and an update on recent articles or webinars on fire retardants\/fire resistance available through UL Prospector Knowledge Center. <\/em>Wally Kesler\u2019s post was in July 2018<\/em><\/a>[i]<\/sup><\/em> and recent webinars were that were given by <\/em>WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH in April 2021<\/em><\/a>[ii]<\/sup><\/em> and <\/em>Lubrizol in December 2020<\/em><\/a>[iii]<\/sup><\/em>. It is suggested that readers review all three articles since they are very thorough in their explanation of types of materials used, particularly Non-Halogenated Flame Retardants (NHFR) and the certification for their use in applications of fire protection appropriate for the end-use. Different organizations test and certify fire retardant coatings, not dissimilar in the way tests differ between ANSI, ASTM, ISO and DIN.<\/em><\/p>\n

The definition of a fire-retardant<\/a> coating is not clear-cut and often confused or interchanged with the term \u201cfire-resistant<\/a>,\u201d but there is a distinction. A fire-resistant coating doesn\u2019t ignite or support flame when an ignition source is applied, while a fire retardant coating protects the substrate from burning. In performance-based testing, the mechanism of protection is secondary to the final result.[iv]<\/sup><\/p>\n

In addition, the term “intumescent<\/a>” is associated with fire-resistant paints, and that term is sometimes misunderstood. Intumescent is swelling up when heated, thus protecting the material underneath or sealing a gap in the event of a fire. Coatings are generally certified to protect the substrate for one or two hours, as per UL 263, CAN\/ULC-S101 and ISO 834.\u00a0Structural steel is the most protected material, but protection can include other materials such as sheet metal, sheetrock, composite panels and interior woods. The intumescent products and operations are audited and listed by a certified third-party laboratory to ensure that the intumescent products perform as expected to ensure building fire safety as per ASTM E119.<\/p>\n

\"Fire
Fig. 1 – Fire retardant paint for metal \u2013 intumescent paint www.coatingspaint.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To achieve the proper fire rating, the coating must be applied to the specific Dry Film Thickness (DFT) that each company specifies in their technical bulletin, depending upon effective thickness. The Wet Film Thickness (WFT) can be applied similarly to achieve rating requirements. Dry film thickness relates to wet film thickness based on solids and loading.<\/p>\n

Use of fire retardant coatings usually requires certification that the substance provides the level of fire protection claimed in its attributes and for its use. Depending on where the coating is used, different regulatory bodies certify its application, and within the regulatory body, applications differ due to smoke density, oxygen index and smoke toxicity. Generally, the coatings are policed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for construction, American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM) overall for the test methods; corporate and commercial guidelines for aviation; government for transportation; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and railway components.<\/p>\n

Fire retardants and certification have to be considered together. Certification of fire retardant materials is important in their use. For example, in an enclosed area, such as a submarine, airplane, etc., smoke or a toxic material released even during the flame being extinguished is not acceptable.<\/p>\n

\"Flames
Flamesoffcoatings.com I<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fire resistance is evaluated by affecting an ignition source under controlled conditions and measuring one or more of the following performance parameters. As an example, a test might include a primer and paint over sheetrock, and a flame applied to an area, and the following tests would be evaluated, if applicable.<\/p>\n