subject: Intumescent Paint - What Is It? [print this page] Intumescent Paint - What Is It? Intumescent Paint - What Is It?
Intumescent paint is completely unique. It can be applied to structural steel or wood and even walls, doors and other surfaces. It's unique action can dramatically slow down the progress of a fire.
Most of our life we have been told paneling is a major culprit when it comes to a fire, with wall paper being a close second. But, has anyone ever told us that the paint on the walls could also be a factor? There are chemicals in these paints along with varnishes which can be explosive and deadly. It just depends on the ingredients used to make the paint.
Now a new type of paint has been developed to become a real firefighter and it is called intumescent paint. It looks like your everyday paint but is completely odourless. This paint is so new, even contractors, fire marshals, building superintendents, and building inspectors have not heard of it yet. Things are about to change everywhere!
What makes it special and different than so called fire retardant paints that are on the market? The paint becomes foam as soon as there is a flame that touches it. Think of real bread rising or beer foam, but instantly fast. In the same way, the paint swells and swells without bursting. The
The intumescent paint acts like a protective blanket with tiny fire resistant, closed cells. There are millions of them and they become activated in a fire. Whatever is behind the paint, instantly becomes shielded from the heat of the fire.
When the paint swells it becomes upto an inch thick. Temperatures can reach up to 1700 degrees and the paint will fight for upto two hours. If a person paints their ceiling, which is extremely important, the roof will be saved along with the bottom of the second story floor.
This precious time lets the occupants escape and gives firefighters time to arrive so that damage is minimized. If the fire wasn't too big or burned way too long, then the walls and ceilings should be structurally intact. Just scrape off the charred foam paint and repaint like normal. This saves hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs.
The best suggestion, as this intumescent paint is so new and maybe hard to find in your area, is to shop around online to find the authentic paint. If a person can't afford to paint the whole house, then start with the baby's nursery and the children's rooms first. This gives added protection and piece of mind. You can never know when a fire might break out.
