What are intumescent coatings? 

Intumescent coatings contain compounds that foam when exposed to heat. When applied to structural steel they function as a normal coating until a fire occurs, at which point the intumescent layer of the coating system expands to create an insulating protective layer between the fire and the steel substrate. 

This layer prevents the temperature of the steel from exceeding safe levels for a pre-determined ‘fire protection duration’, giving a longer time for occupants to escape the building and for emergency services to respond. This kind of system is known as Passive Fire Protection. 

Passive Fire Protection Durations

Common passive fire protection durations are 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes and are decided using a range of considerations including the building’s size, features, design, intended use case and the presence of other fire suppression systems, such as automatic sprinkler systems.

The fire design process, including the correct selection of fire protection durations, is governed by local, regional or federal laws that vary depending on the construction project location. It’s crucial that any project stakeholders involved in this process familiarise themselves with the appropriate guidance and legislation. 

Additionally, intumescent coatings are regulated and must receive international, national or regional approvals before use on a construction project. It’s important to verify that the intumescent coatings you intend to use are cleared for use at your construction project’s location. 

At Sherwin-Williams, we have a versatile range of intumescent coatings with wide ranging approvals throughout the world. Our experienced fire protection experts can help you find the right intumescent coatings solution for your project type and location, and assist with providing best practice advice, product use guidance and training for your applicators. 

Aesthetic Considerations 

For visionary architects who create buildings with impressive and unusual designs, steel is a popular construction material thanks to its versatility and high malleability. It is now increasingly common for architects to design structures with exposed steel joints and beams as a deliberate creative choice that forms part of the intended visual design. These complex building designs can be vulnerable to atmospheric or environmental corrosion which can damage intumescent coatings and, in extreme cases, corrode the steel substrate itself and lead to structural risks. 

Sherwin-Williams has a long track record of supporting architecture projects with exposed architecturally expressed steel. Our FIRETEX range of intumescent coatings includes options suitable for use in high corrosivity environments, alongside topcoats with customisable colour options, smooth finishes, and high aesthetic properties. 

Work with our team from the outset of your design process to receive the best possible advice and create the most optimal intumescent coatings solution for your project. 

Sustainability Considerations

Sustainability is increasingly at the forefront of modern construction projects with many buildings now being designed in accordance with green certification programmes such as LEED and BREEAM. 

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is led by the U.S. Green Building Council and consists of a 100-point system with 4 tiers (Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum). The currently used certification versions are LEED V4 and V4.1.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is widely recognised across 60 countries and applies to a wide range of project types from new build to retrofit. This programme is based on performance assessments against nine categories and benchmark criteria. 

Sherwin-Williams offers intumescent coatings compatible with LEED and BREEAM schemes and our in-house sustainability expertise can help provide guidance on selecting sustainably advantaged products and using them efficiently to reduce waste and emissions.  

Learn more about our commitment to supporting sustainable construction projects. 

Intumescent Coating Application Considerations

For applicators, general contractors or building owners it’s important to ensure the application of coatings is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible so the project can progress, and the building can be put into service at the earliest opportunity. When choosing the most appropriate intumescent coating for a project, applicators must consider its application properties, including the spray equipment needed and whether the coating is intended to be applied on or off-site. 

Off-site application involves coating steel building components in a purpose-built paint shop prior to transportation to the construction site for erection and assembly. 

Solutions for Wood and Concrete substrates 

In addition to our passive fire protection solutions for structural steel, Sherwin-Williams also offers specialist intumescent coatings for the protection of wood and concrete building structures. 

Pyroplast® Series provides fire protection solutions for wood and wood derivatives in internal environments, with a transparent option that allows aesthetic timber features to be retained. 

FIRETEX Concrete Series is designed to reduce the heat input into the steel reinforcement through concrete ceilings, walls, columns, and beams. This product is ideally suited to situations where fire protection retrofitting is necessary due to a change of building use.