Fire protection coatings

The fire resistance duration varies depending on the version that is implemented. If fire resistance is only required for 30 or 60 minutes, a single layer of coated mineral fibre boards is usually sufficient, while two layers are generally needed for a fire resistance duration of 90 minutes. If used as a cable coating, the protection time achieved depends on the dry film thickness of the applied coating material and the required protection goal.

Fire protection paint is especially suitable for large-surface coatings, e.g. on the surface of a seal or for coating electrical lines. On the other hand, thicker fire protection fillers are used for sealing annular gaps and openings around services. Fire protection filler can also be used for adhering fire protection boards in structural openings.

These are two different working principles. Ablative means that the fire protection coating has a cooling effect. It contains crystalline-bonded water that evaporates when exposed to heat and thus cools the coated surface. This delays an increase in temperature due to the fire. Intumescent means that the coating expands due to the expandable graphite it contains, thus forming a heat-insulating layer of foam that reduces the impact of heat on the protected medium.

Fire protection coatings have diverse fields of application. They are most commonly used for coating the surface of fire-resistant penetration seals or for sealing annular gaps. Furthermore, fire protection coatings are used for fireproofing entire cable systems in order to prevent the spread of fire via these systems. Fire protection coatings are also used to seal structural joints against the passage of smoke and fire.