Intumescent Paint Treatment
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What is Intumescent Paint?
When considering fire management for your facility, every choice matters. A great way to increase your assets’ fire resistance is by using intumescent paint or coatings. Intumescent paint or coatings help passively increase an asset’s resistance to fire. When exposed to extreme temperatures these coatings expand and due to a decrease in density, these coatings act like an insulator which ultimately protects the substrate from damage.
Intumescent paints are considered the lightest form of passive fire protection. An intumescent is a coating that, when exposed to heat, is rapidly transformed through sublimation, and expands many times its original thickness (up to 100 times), to form a stable, carbonaceous char.
The resultant char reduces the conduction of heat from the fire to the substrate, delaying the time it takes to reach structural failure. This carbonaceous char must have the ability to remain in situ during any movement of the steel, such as expansion or deflection, until the required protection criteria is achieved.
Intumescent paints are typically applied using airless spray paint equipment for speed and quality of finish, whilst some brands might require large plural spray equipment, although brush and roller applications may also be used. The vast majority of the intumescent materials in the market would need several coatings to be applied to reach the required dry film thickness to protect the structure from failure.
Application of intumescent coating technology
First of all, before diving into the intumescent coating information, we will glance at the definition of the passive protection method. Passive fire protection (PFP) is the preparedness to reduce the impact of a fire on the safety of people and infrastructure. The main effect of PFP solutions is to prevent fire spread, providing more time for rescuing people.
An intumescent coating is a protective layer that works based on a thermal reaction, resulting in thermal expansion and the formation of an insulating layer on the surface, which can release water, as the case may be. This is considered a cost-effective option and has good fire and corrosion resistance, especially for structures made of alloys and steel. Since they are mainly in the form of paint, these coatings are also used for decoration. Intumescent paint can be considered the lightest passive fire protection material. Intumescent paint is usually applied with a spray gun to ensure speed and quality. For small-scale projects, we can use paintbrushes instead of sprayers.
Common types of intumescents
Intumescent coating technology can be classified into 3 general types: Water-based, Solvent-based, and Epoxy-based Intumescent. In general, water-based and oil-based paints are only suitable for indoor works; oil-based paints apply to semi-exposed areas. Epoxy paint can be used outdoors and in harsh industrial conditions.
1. Water-based Intumescent
Water-based intumescent coatings are a generally more eco-friendly, and less-chemically-smelling option. They are the least expensive and produce less odor, however, these coatings are less tolerant to humidity and low temperatures and therefore may take longer to completely cure in such environments.
2. Solvent-based Intumescent
Solvent-based coatings are usually used in semi-exposed environments and are tested against weather and temperature variations. Solvent-based coatings tend to be more resistant to weather conditions as well as temperature changes and humidity. They also dry faster and have a smoother finish.
3. Epoxy-based Intumescent
Epoxy-based intumescent is typically used in harsher environments such as offshore marine industries or the chemical industry because these coatings provide excellent hydrocarbon fire protection. Epoxy-based intumescent comes in two parts which when combined, form a very thick and durable film that insulates the steel member and is highly resistant to corrosion.
Traditional Fireproofing & Intumescent Fireproofing
Protecting your facility from fire with fireproofing coatings is essential for protecting your people and property as well as staying up to code. As you review your fireproofing options, you’ll find that there are multiple materials suited for these purposes. The two main categories of fireproof coatings are cementitious (the traditional fireproofing) and intumescent. The former type of coating doesn’t alter its state during a fire while the latter puffs up when exposed to high heat.
Intumescent Fireproofing
Where intumescent coatings really shine is their superior protective abilities. The aforementioned “puffing up” that occurs when these coatings reach a certain temperature is triggered by chemical processes, preventing flames from getting too close to underlying surfaces for extended periods. The advantages don’t end there, Intumescent paint is also easy to apply (especially single-component formulas). And when properly applied, these coatings create a watertight seal, leaving no gaps or holes for moisture to enter. Ultimately, intumescent coatings act like other protective coatings, mitigating the risk of corrosion while also protecting surfaces from fire.
Why Have A Certified Coating Inspector Apply Intumescent Paint?
The most important factor in ensuring your intumescent coating system is well maintained is ensuring the initial application is done to the manufacturer’s specifications. It’s imperative that interior structures are thoroughly prepared (cleaned, sealed, climate-controlled, etc.) prior to application, as failing to do so can decrease the efficacy and longevity of these coatings. A Coating Inspector is your partner on the project, ensuring every step is done to specification which can avoid costly failures in the future.
Our process
our coating inspection process
We have a tried and true methodology for assessing and prevention corrosion through our ISO-standardized and client-customized workflow.
01.
Survey
A maintenance survey determines the coating conditions of a surface. Surveys are used to create a maintenance schedule for re-coating and touch-up applications.
02.
Testing
The Coating Inspector performs testing for a wide range of coating applications. We test for conformity, compatibility, performance, coat thickness, hardness, adhesion, and finishes.
03.
Recommendations
Once testing has been completed, we provide our detailed recommendations in a report. This ensures that all aspects of the survey are considered and addressed.
04.
Coating Specifications
All jobs are conducted according to industry standards: NACE/AMPP, ISO 9001:2015 and CSA/SSPC in Canada, ASTM and ISO for international clients.
05.
our team
The Coating Inspector works with contractors, owners, and engineers. We are a third party unbiased leader in the provision of professional coating inspection services.
06.
blasting & painting
The Coating Inspector provides supervision and project management in the sandblasting, painting and coatings industry.
Our Services
We check industrial equipment to ensure protective coatings were correctly applied to minimize corrosion risk. Our inspectors go through rigorous training to identify problems in coating applications. They can make recommendations for which types of coatings can best protect the materials from corroding.
A coatings survey provides a sense of how a coating is currently performing and identifies any problems that need to be addressed immediately. The survey provides the next steps to be undertaken. Surveys are a necessary part of an ongoing maintenance plan and should be performed on a regular basis.
This is the qualitative test of the adhesion coating system. This test will only give allow to ensure there is an adequate bond to the coated substrate. This test does not differentiate between levels of bonding. Adhesion testing is used to evaluate the adhesion to the substrate, in between coats, and internal film.
To determine the quality of the protective coating our inspector will measure dry film thickness or DFT. Considered one of the most important tests an inspector can make. DFT test serves as a foundation for the entire coating inspection,.
We create custom maintenance programs that identify areas to be surveyed, the level of detail required, and manpower that will be required to execute. We determine the data that will be taken and format to be used to ensure consistent judging criteria.
The Coating Inspector can conduct a non-destructive High Voltage Holiday Testing to find any voids and failures. This is possible due to electrical charge that flows through protective coating. Invest in hiring one of the top-rated AMPP inspectors in the world.
Choose The Coating Inspector
Recapping, the intumescent coating is an ideal passive fire protection choice for your safety plan. You can choose between water-based, oil-based, or epoxy-based intumescent paint based on the different situations and environmental conditions. The Coating Inspector stands out as a leading company in PFP solutions, thanks to state-of-the-art technologies and a skillful team. We always give advice based on the customer’s requirements, project characteristics, and budget, ensuring optimal efficiency. Contact Us For A Consultation.
why us
Hire the Right Coating Inspector in Canada
Do you have existing corrosion, or are looking to prevent costly equipment failure? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us today to get a consultation.
What sets the coating inspector apart?
The Coating Inspector is ISO certified, something few competitors can offer. We also have extensive reviews, decades of combined experience and the most highly trained coating inspectors in the industry.
What is an ISO Certification?
“Certification to ISO 45001 demonstrates an organisations commitment to a safer working environment and the protection of employees against injury at work.
ISO 45001 certified organisations have identified and operate to regulatory requirements through enforcing procedures for compliance with legislation. Improved identification of hazards and risk management, involving all levels of the organisation through setting objectives, targets and documented responsibilities are recognised by regulators as a commitment to safe working conditions and continuous improvement.”
Source: https://www.qas-international….
Compliance
QAS ISO certifies strict compliance procedures to legislative and standard compliances.
Service
We have been certified in continuous improvement and service to our compliance.
Commitment
We are commited to impeccable client service & employee safety.
What is nace/ampp?
The AMPP (Formerly know as The National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE)) is a globally recognized certification body to certify and train corrosion engineers.
With over 36,000 members globally, it is the most recognized trade association of corrosion inspectors to ensure industry standards in the coating inspection industry.
Established in 1943, it serves to train corrosion inspectors, enforce industry standards, certify engineers, publish and research corrosion inspection techniques and journals, as well as provide a standardized approach to corrosion inspection and prevention.
NACE “equips society to protect people, assets and the environment from the adverse effects of corrosion.”
How much does coating inspection cost?
Every project, business and industrial assets are unique. Depending on the scope of work, location and amount of inspectors or work hours required for your project, the cost can vary.
However, The Coating Inspector is committed to saving your business time, money and assets. The cost of equipment breakdown, shutdown or repair delays can cost your business far more resources than preventative maintenance, work and inspection.
what is the process?
Call, email or contact us via the form below with a bit more of information about your business. From there we’ll consult with you regarding your unique corrosion prevention requirements.
From there we’ll provide you a comprehensive quote and scope of work, and then begin working together with you to keep your facility and equipment in top working area.
what areas do you service?
Primarily all across Canada and globally (depending on the project).