Διαβάστε μερικές από τις πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες ερωτήσεις που τέθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια του Συνεδρίου του ΕΛΙΠΥΚΑ, στις 20 & 21 Μαΐου 2022. Στις ερωτήσεις απαντά η Celine Abadie, Διευθύντρια Έρευνας και Ανάπτυξης, SteelMaster Products, Global R&D Intumescent, Jotun Performance Coatings. Η ομιλία της κας Abadie είχε τίτλο “Product certification versus System certification”.
Is there a certified fire-resistant paint for wood that ensures a time (fire resistance index) for example 60 minutes?
Not in my area of expertise. EN13381-7 is a Test method for determining the contribution to the fire resistance of structural members, Applied protection to timber members. However the scope stipulate that the method does not provide a route to obtain a classification as per EN13501-2. Question over certification of specific product can be raised to the product manufacturer or independent certification body.
Wood is a special case as it is necessary to lessen the fire reaction and slow down the start of combustion as wood is consumed/depleted in a fire. To increase the resistance to fire and improve the load-bearing capacity of wooden structures during a fire, there are fire protection manufacturers who produce fire-retardant or fire-protective coatings are paints, varnishes, or impregnates that can lessen fire reaction and improve fire resistance for protecting wooden structures against fire.
What is the life time of an intumescent coating? Is it the same active the time zero and after 10 years?
The standard provision made in the ETA is based on an assumed working life of ten years, provided that the conditions laid down in the manufacturer’s instructions for the installation, use and maintenance are met. Historical evidence for this type of technology shows that expected life time can be up to 25 years in conjunction with a valid anticorrosive primer and topcoat system, provided the system is maintained intact under agreed exposure conditions. Planning for coating system evaluation and major maintenance scheme is recommended at ten years and every five years thereafter. With visual inspection, if the system looks good with no signs of degradation, the fire protection system is expected to still perform in the event of a fire.
For connections of existing and new steel members that require protection, is it a problem if the existing member is already intumescently painted?
If the new steel member is structural and required fire protecting, then it should be applied with a fire protection system specific to the steel size and to meet the project fire protection requirements. When installing new steelwork, it is typical to remove the intumescent system on the connection area of the existing structure to ensure good mechanical connection between new & old steel. The intumescent fire certification for the existing steelwork would still be valid. If a different manufacturer’s material is used for the new steel member, the fire certification would come from the new product applied to that steel.
What is the difference between intumescent and ablative coating? Is intumescent coating water resistant without protection coating? Ablative coating is.
Intumescent coating reacts and swell with the effect of heat from a fire and form an insulating char that protect the substrate from heat. An ablative coating release chemically bound water molecules, absorbing the energy from the fire which then has a cooling effect on the substrate.
Certain type of intumescent coating will be water resistant even without a topcoat. Others will not, the choice of the type of intumescent and full system (primer, intumescent and topcoat) must be based on an evaluation of the environment in which the system will be used. Intumescent manufacturer will have several types of products and technology and can recommend the best products for the required environments.
How do we treat existing painted structures that need to be fire protected due to a change in the use of the building?
Project specific evaluation is needed to provide guidance for the specific situation as there can be several options/possibilities. It can be done and should engage further discussion with intumescent manufacturer. Compliance to certification and fire safety should be part of the evaluation.
