When the use of a fire retardant coating is necessary

As regards fire protection, most countries have very strict regulations concerning the performance of fire-resistant and fire-retardant coatings, especially for the treatment of bearing structures, coatings and wooden works.

Wood exhibits important aesthetic importance and fire retardant coatings for wood should combine fire protection with excellent aesthetic results. “Safety performance + Finishing performance”. Customers’ requirements are not only regulation-related (compliance with the law), but they are also appearance/functional-related.

The fire behavior of load-bearing wooden structures, which require passive protection, is totally different from that of metal structures. In the event of a fire, the temperature reached in a closed room is of several hundred degrees.

Metal, an excellent heat conductor, at temperatures over 450ºC, softens and loses all mechanical resistance, and virtually “collapses”. Wood, a bad conductor, does not collapse: flames and heat carbonize its surface, which limits the propagation of combustion to the outer layers.

Intumescent coatings increase such a protective layer as when heated, they cause a swelling of the coating film (several centimeters) which acts as a fire barrier. For this reason, wood is increasingly used in current engineering and architectural works.

 

The cases in which the use of fire retardant coatings is mandatory

Protection from fire is required for:

• public buildings
• offices/factories
• clubs, bars, pubs and dance halls
• banks
• airports and railway stations
• hotels and tourist facilities
• exhibition centers
• meeting and fair venues
• shops
• schools, colleges, universities and nursery schools
• auditoriums and theatres
• cinemas and museums
• hospitals
• gyms and fitness centers
• churches
• civil buildings

When it is mandatory to conform to fire regulations, the architect/designer or authorizer issuer of the fire certificate may calculate the fire load (quantity of flammable material per square meter and relevant calorific power) for each room, assessing the class that each construction element falls into, based on emergency exits, fire fighting systems, or internal permanent safety services.

The protective measures that may be required for active protection concern the installation of fire-fighting systems (sprinklers) and detection systems, smoke evacuators, fire extinguishers, etc., while the no less important passive protection is entrusted exclusively to panels, compartments and certified coatings, which have the task of slowing down and delaying the spread of flames.

Fire retardant wood coatings and fire reaction classes

The Italian regulations – M.D 26/6/84 – M.D. 6/3/92 (UNI 9796) – Ministry of the Interior (Italy) – divide coating and paneling-related materials, as well as flooring, false ceiling, furnishing and seating surface materials, into six classes.

They are assigned a fire reaction class, which ranges from 0 (non-flammable) to 5 (easily flammable).

In the event of a fire in a closed place, the temperature reaches very high values. Wooden materials start to release gases that considerably contribute to fire propagation.

Class 1 is the best to protect the material involved in the fire. The Sayerlack Class 1 fire retardant systems effectively slow down fire spreading time, as they act with several mechanisms at the same time. For example, an MDF 4 mm thick panel with reaction class 4, after treatment with the Sayerlack fire retardant cycle, obtains the reaction class 1. Our certifications were awarded by the Fire Department – Central Technical Prevention and Safety Direction of Roma Capannelle.

Since 2005, the European standard EN 13501-1 has been in force, in compliance with Directive 89/106/CE “Construction Products”, which classifies the elements inserted structurally in the premises and marketed in the countries of the European Community (CE Marking) according to the reaction to fire test results. The products are tested and divided into two families: the products used as a wall and / or ceiling covering (Test EN 13823) and those used as a floor covering (Test EN ISO 9239).

The tests consist of determining the speed of flame propagation (EN ISO 11925-2), the development of heat (EN ISO 1716) and the amount of smoke and dripping of incandescent particles.

The different results classify the product according to the Euroclass reaction to fire for walls/ceilings (A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F) and for floors (A1fl, A2fl, Bfl, Cfl, Dfl, Efl, Ffl).

Both in the case of walls/ceilings and in the case of floors, however, there is a decreasing performance of the reaction to fire characteristics from A1 (or A1fl) to F (or Ffl). Euroclass A/Afl is assigned to products that do not contribute or contribute to a minimal extent, to the development of fire. The Euroclass F/Ffl is attributed to all those products for which no reaction to fire performance has been determined.

The standard also provides for the analysis of the fumes developed by the burning of the painted material, which are classified as follows:

• S1: limited quantity
• S2: average quantity
• S3: without limit

Sayerlack fire retardant coatings

Polyurethane products for interiors

The TA-1 and TB-1 polyurethane coating systems have reached type approval with 390 g/m², a quantity of coating per m² less than the previous certification; this has greatly improved the final transparency.

TA – 1 coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 6/3/92 – 390 g/m²

TU0022 clear polyurethane basecoat – two coats of 140 g/m² catalyzed at 50% with TH0222

TZ22** clear polyurethane topcoat – one coat of 110 g/m² catalyzed at 50% with TH0222

The coating system has excellent transparency and good scratch resistance, with the possibility of choosing between a 10 or 25 gloss matt finish and a 75 gloss semi-gloss finish.

TB – 1 coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 6/3/92 – 390 g/m²

TU0022/13 white polyurethane basecoat – two coats of 140 g/m² catalyzed at 50% with TH0333

TZ22**/13 white matt polyurethane topcoat – one coat of 110 g/m² catalyzed at 50% with TH0333

The coating system has excellent coverage and relaxation. It is characterized by good scratch resistance and an excellent finish. Available in 25 gloss matt and 75 gloss semi-gloss versions.

TC coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 3/6/92 – 450 g/m²

TU0022/13 white polyurethane basecoat – two coats of 150 g/m² catalyzed at 50% with TH0333.

TZ22** transparent polyurethane topcoat – one coat of 150 g/m² catalyzed at 50% with TH0333, including a maximum of 20% of polyurethane pastes TP2009/XX

Those who need sample pigments with an excellent aesthetic result, the TC coating system (made up of a matt and semi-gloss base and vehicle + 20% TP2009/XX pigmented pastes) is the most suitable: with only 12 polyurethane pastes, infinite shades of color can be obtained. Suitable for interior decorators and designers.

 

Water-based products for interiors

TD coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 06/03/92 – 400 gr/m²

AF0022/13 white matt water-based self-sealer – two coats of 200 g/m²

The water-based TD coating system satisfies stand fitters, who want a quick and easy-to-apply product. With only two coats, for a total of 400 g/m², the Class 1 fire reaction is obtained. Being solvent-free, the product is suitable for applications and/or touch-ups in environments where flammable coatings cannot be applied (such as fairs, museums, galleries, etc.). Dyes can also be obtained with the TD coating system by adding 3% of XA2006 water-based paste series to the white product AF0022/13.

TE coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 06/03/92 – 400 g/m²

AF1105 clear matt water-based self-sealer – two coats of 200 g/m² 10% catalyzed with AH0111.

The coating system was formulated to obtain a product with all the advantages of water-based coating systems, but without losing the characteristics of polyurethane products. Suitable for those who have to face work indoors. The product is free of halides, so the fumes developed in the combustion (mainly responsible for fire victims) have low toxicity and opacity.

TE – R coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 06/03/92 – 400 g/m²

AF1105 clear matt water-based self-sealer – two coats of 200 g/m² 10% catalyzed with AH0111, including a maximum of 5% of XA2006/26 water-based red paste.

TE – G coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 06/03/92 – 400 g/m²

AF 1105 clear matt water-based self-sealer – two coats of 200 g/m² 10% catalyzed with AH0111, including a maximum of 5% of XA2006/17 water-based yellow paste.

TE – B coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 06/03/92 – 400 g/m²

AF 1105 clear matt water-based self-sealer – two coats of 200 g/m² 10% catalyzed with AH 111, including a maximum of 5% of XA 2006/BB water-based white paste

TE – N coating system – Class 1 fire reaction

D.M. 06/03/92 – 400 g/m²

AF1105 clear matt water-based self-sealer – two coats of 200 g/m² 10% catalyzed with AH0111, including a maximum of 5% of water-based black paste XA2006/72

TM coating system – Class 1 Fire reaction

D.M. 06/03/92 – 100 g/m² – for flooring

Two-pack water-based coating system for floors. Excellent scratch/abrasion resistance. Could be applied by roller or brush.

AF60** clear water-based self-sealer to be used at 10% with AH1547.

Naval Directive MED 96/98/EC

Sayerlack fire-retardant coatings have passed the tests required by the European Directive for the naval sector (MED 96/98/EC and 2010/68/EU), obtaining the famous “rudder”, the conformity mark that allows the paints to be marketed in the countries of the European Union and the United States.

The specifications produced by shipyards provide for the use of fire retardant coatings in most of the interiors of a ship, in compliance with maritime safety legislation. Sayerlack has obtained certificates of conformity on fire retardant, transparent and pigmented water cycles, already in possession of the Class 1 fire reaction according to the Italian UNI 9796 regulation.

With these products Sayerlack has crossed another boundary: already characterized by exceptional aesthetic characteristics, really not common in the world of fire retardant coatings, certified products can be applied not only on wood but also on surfaces such as galvanized sheet, aluminum, plaster, plastic. This means that Sayerlack fire retardant coatings can be used to protect all paintable accessories inside a ship. Furthermore, the products can be applied directly to the surface, without the use of a primer.

Sayerlack coatings have obtained the MED certificate of conformity thanks to a series of rigid tests that have been dedicated to products (module B) and quality (module D).

The fire reaction and the toxicity of the fumes was tested on the products, according to the international IMO standard, while the quality was tested with a verification of the production and control process of the finished product at the Sayerlack production plants and will be checked in the future with periodic checks by the certification body at the factories, which will guarantee the constant production of the coatings.

TD coating system – Naval Directive – Module B and D

MED 96/98/EC – 210 g/m²

AF0022/13 white matt water-based self-sealer – one coat of 210 g/m².

TE coating system – Naval Directive – Module B and D

MED 96/98/EC – 200 g/m²

AF1105 clear matt water-based self-sealer – one coat of 200 g/m² catalyzed at 10% with AH0111.

TE-R coating system – Naval Directive – Module B and D

MED 96/98/EC – 150 g/m²

AF1105 clear matt water-based self-sealer – one coat of 150 g/m² catalyzed at 10% with AH0111, including a maximum of 5% of XA2006/XX water-based pastes.

Clear high gloss fire retardant coating system in compliance with BS476 PART 7 Class 1.

The combination of a polyurethane sealer, a red-ox polyester basecoat and an acrylic topcoat, makes this new coating system become the proper solution to confer fire retardant properties to flat surfaces and furniture, giving an extremely high build and high gloss appearance, maintaining visible the natural vein of the wood.

TU0565/00 + 50% DT1150/00 +100% TH0765

PU4101/00 + 50% PX4102/00 + 3% PH0777/00 + 3% PH0888/00

TL4100/00 + 100% TH0735/00 + 5% DT0441/00