Steel is one of the most important building materials, and it is utilized on a wide range of construction scales to meet the needs of working, living, studying, and entertainment. Fireproofing, in addition to delivering robust, highly aesthetic works, also assures people’s safety and the quality of construction. Among the different choices, the solution of using paint is regarded as the most popular and practical way for steel structures.
Why is fireproofing paint believed to be the best and safest option for all steel buildings?
Before implementing any measures, we must first carefully learn and understand its characteristics, as well as the way of operating for analyzing and evaluating the level of damage when a fire occurs. So, how important is fireproofing paint for steel constructions in contemporary advanced buildings? What are the advantages, and how can this approach be used in practice?
How fireproofing paint functions when structural exposed directly to fire
Each type of material will have different properties in composition, strength or heat resistance. Understanding the materials’ characteristics will help users take the proper usages to bring the highest efficiency for fire prevention.Steel is a combination of iron, carbon and other elements.
Based on chemical composition, steel is classified into many different forms: mild steel, medium steel, high carbon steel, alloy steel, or high alloy steel. The steel structure is now widely used in the construction industry with a solid system and high bearing capacity. An important feature of steel is that its heat resistance often fluctuates at temperatures from 500 to 550 degrees Celsius. Hence, the application of fireproofing paint, known as intumescent paint for steel structures, is an ideal choice.
As intumescent paint has Epoxy, Poly Phosphorus, organic solvent and insulation foaming agent. The combination of ingredients will reduce the heat of the fire and reduce the emission of toxic gases from the fire. One of the primary features is that intumescent coatings can extend up to 100 times their original thickness, improving fire protection by acting as a buffer between the fire and the materials. When exposed to high temperatures, the coating will undergo a chemical reaction and expand.
What unique advantages does fireproofing paint provide to the construction industry?
The first reason that should be the first reason that helps all construction systems is the heat resistance of fireproofing paint. With a maximum temperature of up to 1000 degrees Celsius in 2 to 3 hours, this is the most effective work safety measure. It is crucial and necessary to prevent the spread of the fire while proceeding with efforts to stop the fire and rescue people; hence this period is regarded as precious.
Aside from the above-mentioned remarkable features of fireproof paint for steel structures, this type of paint not only plays an essential role in protecting the safety of people and property, but the method is neither complicated nor time-consuming when compared to others. All necessary processes are conducted professionally, providing excellent quality, especially if a team has many years of experience with, such as VIVABLAST.
Fireproofing paint is a practical implementation of the passive fire prevention system, which is meticulously designed and installed to minimize damage in the event of a fire. Furthermore, passive fire protection works in combination with active fire protection to increase safety for people and buildings.
In order to get more information about the benefits that fireproofing methods bring to all constructions, you can take a look at the “Passive fire protection system – the best solution to safeguard your lives” post.
How many stages are required to apply fireproofing paint on steel structures?
To set up a fireproof coating system for steel structures, it is generally necessary to follow the recommended step below, also the official process from VIVABLAST.
- Step 1: Check the regulations, technical information of materials used for the construction
- Step 2: Measure and design the grid (if any) to suit the structure of the building
- Step 3: Determine the thickness, start spraying suitable paint for the form, and ensure to meet the fire resistance requirements of the building.
- Step 4: Plan to deploy and arrange human resources
- Step 5: Make sure the coatings are applied according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Ensure every mesh surface is covered with fireproofing paint for the complete steel structure for works requiring mesh.
- Step 6: Strictly monitoring and inspection during construction time
- Step 7: Repaint all areas which have not met the required quality yet
- Step 8: Let the paint dry according to product specifications and do not affect the surface
- Step 9: Complete the process, check and prepare to close the project
Each of the above steps is performed and monitored by a team of highly qualified engineers with profound experience in installing and constructing fireproofing paints. They are all trained and certified by construction experts. This work has significant meaning in protecting life and belongings. That is why it should be done by the professional crew as VIVABLAST – the leading unit in the field of fire prevention and control for steel structure works in particular, and construction of safe fire protection systems in general.
If you are looking for a professional team with a wide range of experience, do not hesitate to contact VIVABLAST with the following information, we are willing to support and help conduct the best fire protection systems.