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Intumescent Paint Application
Intumescent Paint is spray applied to blast cleaned steel and can be applied in one coat, with a Dry Film Thickness (dft) up to 4mm.
Deciding on the Intumescent paint thickness (dft) depends on a number of factors; the fire resistance rating, the section thickness of the steel, the kind of steel element being painted and the intended usage of the steelwork including the expected critical temperature of the steel.
Intumescent coatings benefits from being rapid cure, meaning it can be on site 24 hours after painting. Once the intumescent paint has been applied in accordance with the required specifications it will have an expected life cycle of 20-25 years and will require minimal touch ups.
Intumescent Plant Capacity
Shot Blasting Booth: 15 m x 4 m x 5 m (l/w/h)
Intumescent Paint Shop: 15 m x 40 m
Galvacoat Spray Booth: 4 m x 3 m (larger items by arrangement).
Crane capacity: 2 x 5t cranes.
590°C
In only 3.5 minutes, the heat from a house fire can reach over 590°C.
2-4 hours
Intumescent products provide 2-4 hours for occupants to escape.
The Process:
- Requirements from the Fabricator/Engineer
- Fire Rating
- Corrosion Rating
- Cutting List
- Calculating the Coating Thickness Required – A Fire Rating and a detailed listing of all steel sections will need to be supplied by the Engineer or Steel Fabricator to allow us to calculate the required coating thickness. Once this is done, a detailed list is prepared for our production team which tells them the specific coating for each individual steel section.
- An Estimate is then prepared including the coating thickness requirements
- On arrival, the material is entered into Galco’s production system and given a job number. It is then inspected to ensure it matches the information provided by the fabricator.
- The steel is then Shot blasted to Sa2.5 (or per specification).
- The paint is then applied to the required coating thickness in a controlled environment.
- Climatic Controls – In order to ensure correct adhesion and coverage the internal temperature of the paint facility needs to be maintained between 5-15 degrees and is measured constantly.
- The paint will be applied using plural-component equipment which allows the fastest production and gives the most control over application. Plural-component application also produces the least amount of waste. Components include; pumps, heating systems, motors, tanks, hoses, and spray guns. The equipment system must be able to heat the material to the proper temperature, maintain the temperature to the gun, proportion the material to give the proper ratio, and generate the correct pressure for mixing and spray pattern.
- At each stage in the process testing is carried out in accordance with our ISO 9001 Quality Management System. This will include:
- Wet Film Thickness measurement
- Dry Film Thickness measurement
- Climatic Control
- Rapid Curing. Thanks to advances in paint technology, intumescent coatings cure within 24 hours allowing efficient throughput and fast delivery to site.
- Certificates issued. All material will be certified in accordance with our Quality Management System (link to Quality Systems page).
- A top-coat for either aesthetic purposes or to provide increased corrosion protection can be applied as required. This should be specified at stage 1 above.
- Any Touch-Up material can be provided if required and a method statement provided for on-site application.
Benefits of Intumescent Paint
- Fire-proofing – intumescent paint work as a fire proof, providing essential additional time in case of an emergency.
- Prolonged life – intumescent paint prolongs the life of structural steel surfaces.
- Insulation – intumescent paint acts as an insulator, protecting structures from damage and deformation.
- Aesthetics – intumescent paint provides an aesthetically pleasing wherever it is applied but particularly on structural steel surfaces.
- Limits the spread of fire by containing it in a single compartment in its area of origin
- Slows the spread of toxic gas and black smoke, allowing people more time to escape more safely
- Provides vital escape time for people during fire incidents
- Protects escape routes, building structure and critical structural members
- Minimizes costs to rebuild after the fire
- Protects owners’ built assets
Contact our team
Over the past 50 years, Galco has become a recognized leader offering high quality equipment and systems. We are dedicated to exploring the latest construction technologies to generate cost savings for clients.
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