Intumescent Coatings

At Intumescent Coatings, we provide professional intumescent coating solutions for structural steel and other suitable building elements throughout the UK. Our services support commercial, industrial, residential, public-sector, and infrastructure projects where specified passive fire protection is required.

Intumescent coatings are specialist reactive products designed to expand when exposed to high temperatures. During a fire, the coating forms an insulating char layer that helps slow the transfer of heat to the protected substrate. When applied to structural steel as part of an appropriately specified system, this protection can delay the rate at which the steel reaches critical temperatures and help it maintain its load-bearing capacity for a defined period.

Intumescent Coatings provides a controlled approach to surface preparation, primer compatibility, coating application, dry film thickness measurement, finishing, inspection, and quality documentation. Every project is considered according to the required fire resistance period, structural steel profile, section factor, product specification, environmental exposure, and applicable fire strategy.

Our objective is to provide correctly specified and professionally applied intumescent coating systems that contribute to the passive fire protection strategy of the building.

Why Choose Intumescent Coatings?

Choosing Intumescent Coatings means working with a company that understands the importance of compliance, product specification, application quality, and documented inspection within passive fire protection.

Intumescent Coatings works with consideration for applicable UK fire safety and building requirements. Depending on the project, this can include relevant requirements of the Building Regulations 2010, including applicable guidance within Approved Document B, alongside the project’s specific fire strategy and structural fire protection requirements.

Products and systems should have appropriate evidence of performance for their intended application. Relevant standards and assessment methods may include the BS EN 13381 series for determining the contribution of applied fire protection systems to the fire resistance of structural members. Fire classification may also be considered in accordance with applicable standards such as BS EN 13501.

Health and safety is also an important part of our approach. Work is undertaken with consideration for applicable duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and, where relevant, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Appropriate risk assessments, method statements, access arrangements, ventilation, personal protective equipment, and product handling procedures are considered according to the project.

Where hazardous substances are involved, relevant requirements under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) are considered. Product safety information and manufacturer instructions help determine suitable handling, application, ventilation, and protective measures.

By choosing Intumescent Coatings, clients benefit from a compliance-focused service covering substrate preparation, compatible coating systems, controlled application, thickness testing, inspection, and appropriate project documentation. This provides greater confidence that passive fire protection has been approached professionally and in accordance with the project’s specified requirements.

How Much Do Intumescent Coatings Cost?

The cost of intumescent coatings is from £20 to £100+ per m².

The cost of fire rated coatings depends on the required fire resistance, steel section factor, coating thickness, product specification, surface preparation, accessibility, and finishing requirements.

Straightforward structural steel coating projects with relatively low coating thickness requirements may cost approximately £20 to £40 per m².

Projects requiring higher dry film thicknesses, more complex steel sections, extensive preparation, or difficult access may cost approximately £40 to £100+ per m².

Decorative topcoats, specialist primers, scaffold access, mobile elevated work platforms, containment, and complex working conditions can increase the overall project cost.

The required fire resistance period also influences pricing. A system designed to provide a longer period of protection may require a greater coating thickness, depending on the tested product and structural steel characteristics.

These figures are indicative UK estimates rather than fixed quotations. Intumescent Coatings provides project-specific pricing after reviewing the steelwork, fire protection requirements, product specification, access conditions, and scope of work.

What Intumescent Coating Services Are Available?

Intumescent Coatings provides specialist passive fire protection services for new-build and refurbishment projects.

• Structural steel intumescent coatings – Reactive fire protection systems for suitable steel beams, columns, and structural members.
• On-site intumescent application – Professional coating application at construction and refurbishment sites.
• Intumescent paint spraying – Airless spray application for efficient coverage of appropriate structural elements.
• Brush and roller application – Alternative application methods for suitable areas, repairs, and detailed sections.
• Surface preparation – Preparation of substrates to achieve the condition required by the specified coating system.
• Primer application – Application of compatible primers where required by the system specification.
• Dry film thickness testing – Measurement of completed coating thickness as part of quality control.
• Intumescent coating inspection – Assessment of suitable existing or newly applied fire protection coatings.
• Topcoat application – Compatible decorative or protective finishes where required.
• Intumescent coating repairs – Localised remedial work to damaged systems where an appropriate repair specification can be established.

What Types of Intumescent Coatings Are Available?

Different intumescent coating systems are available according to the substrate, environment, and required fire performance.

• Water-based intumescent coatings – Commonly used for suitable internal environments and structural steel applications.
• Solvent-based intumescent coatings – Systems that may be specified according to project conditions and environmental requirements.
• Epoxy intumescent coatings – High-performance systems commonly associated with demanding industrial or external environments.
• Thin-film intumescent coatings – Frequently used for structural steel where a relatively smooth architectural finish is required.
• Intumescent coatings for internal steelwork – Systems designed for appropriately controlled interior environments.
• Intumescent coatings for exposed environments – Systems incorporating suitable protection for more demanding exposure conditions.
• Decorative intumescent systems – Fire protection coatings combined with compatible topcoats to achieve the required visual finish.

The correct system must be selected according to its tested application, environmental classification, substrate, required fire performance, and manufacturer requirements.

ow Long Does Intumescent Coating Take?

Intumescent coating application typically takes between 2 days and 2 weeks, depending on the size of the project, required fire resistance, coating thickness, number of structural steel elements, site access, drying conditions, and application method.

A smaller structural steel project may be completed within 2 to 5 working days, while larger commercial or industrial projects can require 1 to 2 weeks or longer. Extensive developments with substantial quantities of structural steel may require a phased programme lasting several weeks.

The required dry film thickness can significantly affect the programme. Intumescent coatings are often applied in multiple passes, with appropriate drying or curing time required between coats. Systems designed to achieve higher levels of fire protection may require a greater coating build, depending on the steel section factor and specified product.

Temperature, humidity, ventilation, and site conditions can also influence drying times. Intumescent Coatings follows the coating manufacturer’s application and curing requirements to help ensure the system achieves the specified performance.

What is the Intumescent Coating Application Process?

The Intumescent Coatings application process begins with reviewing the project specification, structural steel schedule, required fire resistance, and selected coating system.

The substrate is inspected to establish whether it is suitable for coating. Surface preparation is completed according to the system requirements, and any primer used must be compatible with the specified intumescent product.

Once the substrate is ready, the intumescent coating is applied in controlled layers. Application may be completed using airless spray equipment, brushes, or rollers depending on the product, project scale, and individual areas being treated.

Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity can affect application and curing. These factors are monitored where required according to the coating manufacturer’s instructions.

The coating is allowed to dry appropriately between applications. Multiple coats may be required to achieve the specified total dry film thickness.

Thickness measurements are then taken as part of the quality-control process. Where necessary, additional material is applied to areas that do not meet the required specification.

A compatible topcoat can then be applied where required for environmental protection or decorative purposes.

Following completion, Intumescent Coatings carries out relevant final checks and provides appropriate documentation according to the agreed project requirements.

Why is Professional Intumescent Coating Application Important?

Professional application is essential because intumescent coating performance depends on much more than simply covering the steel with paint.

The substrate must be appropriately prepared, primers must be compatible, the correct product must be used, and the specified dry film thickness must be achieved.

Environmental conditions during application can also influence curing and coating quality. Professional contractors understand the importance of monitoring these factors and following manufacturer requirements.

Inspection and documentation provide additional assurance by creating records of the work completed and the quality-control procedures undertaken.

Intumescent Coatings combines appropriate preparation, controlled application, thickness measurement, and inspection to provide a professional passive fire protection service.

Get a Quote from Intumescent Coatings

If your commercial, industrial, residential, or public-sector project requires professional passive fire protection, Intumescent Coatings can provide a solution based on your project specification.

Intumescent Coatings provides structural steel fire protection, intumescent paint spraying, surface preparation, compatible primer systems, dry film thickness testing, topcoat application, inspection, remedial coatings, and professional on-site application throughout the UK.

Contact Intumescent Coatings today to discuss your project requirements, provide your fire protection specification, and receive a tailored quotation for professional intumescent coating application.